There are multiple ways you can develop custom apparel products for your brand – working directly with a patternmaker or working with a factory on development. Each has its advantages and drawbacks and which is right for you depends on how you like to work and what factors are the most important to you.
In the last few years, we have entered the era of 3D democratization. Now everyone from designers, tech designers, textile designers, and patternmakers are all using it. There are huge benefits to using 3D, but while both design and development may use the same 3D software, the goals of the two use cases are different.
I recently had a conversation about whether expensive clothes fit better than cheap ones. This is an interesting question – both for consumers of fashion trying to figure out what items are worth buying, and for brands wanting to make clothes that fit. Is there a correlation between price and fit? Let’s explore.
High shipping costs, longer freight times, and rising tariffs have made moving production to the USA a competitive option for some brands. With any big logistics shift, the switch can bring some new challenges. If you are considering moving your production to the States, here are four things to prepare for to make the transition.
Have you ever struggled to narrow down your own design ideas or been unsure where to invest in your business? You might be making it harder for yourself than it needs to be. If you are not clear on who you are designing for, you can’t prioritize your design ideas or your budget well.
Finding the right factory for your brand is often not a quick and easy process, so it helps if you are prepared. While each factory has their specialties and ways of working, there are certain things that all cut & sew factories will need from you in order to make your design successfully.
3D software offers an array of tools that can help reduce physical samples, speed up design and development, and communicate designs more effectively. If you have been wanting to start using 3D in your process and are wondering how to do so, here are four of my favorite ways to use 3D for fashion.
The goal with a fit model is to get the garment to fit your average customer, not to make a bespoke garment just for the model. I think that makes a difference. Here are things to keep in mind during fittings to make sure you are fitting your customers and not just your fit model.
It is pretty obvious that you will get a pattern when you hire a patternmaker – it’s in the name. Working with a patternmaker can benefit your brand in many other ways as well. What you get when you hire a patternmaker is more than just a pattern. Here are some additional things you’ll receive.
As realistic as 3D has become, though, there are still things that only a physical sample can do for your brand. For these reasons, I recommend using a combination of 3D and real life samples during product development so your brand can get the best of both (digital and physical) worlds.