These manufacturers are world-renowned for producing products like fashion accessories and clothing for brands such as Versace and Gucci. These highly respected manufacturers partner selectively with fashion brands. Nearly every fashion brand wants them to work with, but they only partner with selected manufacturers. Click here to learn more.
Well-established fashion designers know how much work goes into creating a collection. Finding the right manufacturer can be even harder.
Fashion manufacturers who are the best at what they do consistently demonstrate their expertise. The best manufacturers, particularly in Italy, rely on production techniques that are derived from centuries-old practices, and they focus on traditions of high-quality craftsmanship. The best manufacturers are world-renowned for their dedication to excellence in craftsmanship. They produce fashion products for brands such as Versace and Gucci. These highly-coveted fashion manufacturers partner selectively with fashion brands. Nearly every fashion brand wants them to partner with them. But these select manufacturers partner only with a few.
How do these fashion brands choose their partners? Fashion industry professionals tend to think that these legendary manufacturers will only work with major brands, but this isn’t true. When selecting fashion partners, these renowned brands often consider the specific fashion products that a brand intends to sell and produce. These well-known manufacturers have extensive knowledge of fashion production and can instantly identify which fashion projects are likely to go wrong during the manufacturing process. The best manufacturers have decades of experience with fashion production and can spot certain red flags in manufacturing that designers cannot.
Designers should, therefore, consider these manufacturing red flags when creating their next fashion collection. If you design your collection according to these red flags, fashion manufacturers will be more inclined to accept your designs.
1. Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is a red flag for many fashion manufacturers. Fast fashion is not only damaging to the environment but also prone to worker abuse. It lacks a real creative direction. The best-known manufacturers avoid fast fashion because they can’t show off their skills. These acclaimed producers are not willing to compromise on quality production for the sake of profit. Above all, they prioritize a clear and creative vision for luxury fashion. Luisa, an Italian artisan at MakersValley, says that designers need to have “clear focus and ideas.” Luisa, who has worked with designers such as Diane Von Furstenburg in the past, echoes a strong sentiment among high-quality manufacturers that a clear creative direction is essential to producing fashion collections of real craftsmanship. Fast fashion, on the other hand, focuses only on quick production and profit.
2. Leather Products (Specifically Shoes)
Leather shoes and other leather fashion products are often a source of concern for world-leading manufacturers. Leather shoe production problems are usually caused by the belief that more expensive leather shoes will require less maintenance. Leather shoe manufacturers often disagree on how to define “easier care.” Italian shoe manufacturers use the Blake stitch to create more flexible shoes. The upper is sewn straight onto the sole. Blake stitch is associated with Italian shoe manufacturing and, therefore, has a lighter, more European look. The Blake stitch is a type of stitching that dates back to the Industrial Revolution when American Lyman Reed Blake created 1856 a machine specifically for sewing the soles of shoes onto the vamp of the shoe. The Blake stitch can be used on a Langhorn device to stitch through all layers of the shoe without using welts. This includes the insole, outsole, and the bottom of the shaft. The Blake stitch is a favorite among Italian shoemakers because it prioritizes a lightweight and elegant style. Gabi Levi is the founder of Eve & Kane. She says that shoemakers and artisans in Italy are very traditional. They have been making shoes this way for generations.
While many fashion experts agree that “Made in Italy” is synonymous with premium leather shoes made of high-quality leather, some fashion producers claim the Italian Blake stitching allows only two or three repairs. While the English Goodyear Stitch adds layers for a more durable and water-resistant construction, it loses flexibility due to its thick layers. The Goodyear stitch is heavier and has a less elegant, fashionable look than the Blake stitch.
Manufacturers around the world are concerned with the quality of leather they produce. Italy is known for its leather tanning techniques and is, therefore, one of the leading leather producers in the world. It is known for its vegetable tanning technique, which uses organic substances (found in bark, plants, and fruits) to produce leather. Italian master tanners will adjust the blend to achieve the desired finish. They often use generations-old manufacturing techniques to make the finest Italian leather.
Italian leather producers are keen to make sure that fashion brands with whom they work can compete effectively in the highly competitive market for shoes and handbags. Italian leather producers are concerned about a brand’s ability to sell leather products and maintain consumer interest because these sales have a direct impact on manufacturing planning. Due to the highly specialized production methods used in Italy, leather manufacturers must have full trust in their brand partners because the time required to make Italian leather and the end fashion products is so long.
3. Outerwear Designs
The production of outerwear is very different from the production of more conventional fashion items. Producing outerwear is cheaper than buying wholesale. You can save up to 50% or more on the actual price. Outerwear patterns are easier to sew than those of other fashion garments.
The most commonly used materials to make outerwear can cause production problems for manufacturers. For example, nylon is used almost exclusively in outerwear because it can be woven more tightly than any other material. Nylon is also more resistant to water than other fabrics. Nylon is more slippery because it’s water-resistant and unravels more often than other fabrics. This causes production issues for manufacturers and forces them to add another stage to the process in order to maintain quality, specifically for outerwear. The added step in production costs the manufacturers money and time. They also don’t make enough profit from outwear to change their manufacturing strategy.
Fashion brands also want outerwear that is shiny to give it a sleeker, more fashionable appearance. To achieve this shine, manufacturers need to use a special finish or plastic coating on the outerwear. The shiny finish is chic but can be dangerous for consumers. Studies have shown that the shininess of the fabric may cause more accidents. The outerwear can be more slippery due to the coating. This makes it more likely that the wearer will hit an obstacle with greater force when they fall. Some ski resorts have banned the wearing of ski gear that has such finishes due to the potential dangers if skiers were to fall while wearing them. Manufacturers must also use chemicals to achieve this glossy finish, so they may have to develop a stronger chemical safety plan for outerwear production.
Fashion brands should, in the end, design their collections with these manufacturing red flags in mind and address manufacturer concerns thoroughly when they make their initial tech packs or sourcing decisions. They can avoid extra costs and quality issues by designing collections that anticipate production problems.