question about the apparel manufacturing business

[tropheus]

My wife has some clothing ideas that appear to have some promise. She is at the conceptual stage, but it involves creating a line of clothing for a specific segment of the apparel market. She plans to do an “artist’s rendition” of the clothing designs over the next few months. What we don’t know is how to take her renditions and turn them into specific directions for a clothing manufacturer. Do individuals/companies do this for hire? Or do they want a piece of the action? Does anybody have experience doing this sort of stuff from either side? In addition, does anybody know what companies (here in the US, Mexico or overseas) that could take the clothing designs and manufacture them on a small scale initially. I can probably find some, but if anybody has first hand experience dealing with overseas manufacturing and specific companies, that would be most helpful. We are willing to spend up to $10,000 on the design and manufacture of the initial line (no more than 5 designs). If we can sell the clothing with some ease, we will invest quite a bit more (bank financing, equity investors, etc.).

Our ultimate goal would be to sell to retailers on a widespread scale – the large ones and boutique shops as well, but initially we will focus on internet sales through a website and sales to Austin area boutique shops.

In terms of the legal implications, I think I can have that covered either by myself (as a corporate attorney) or knowing which attorneys to hire. So my questions really focus on the “business” of turning clothing ideas into a business reality. However, if you want to chime in on legal issues, I am always listening...

Any help from the “know-it-all” community of hornfans (I mean that in a nice way)?

 

[HornBred]

A friend of mine in the UT MBA program used to do that sort of thing. She's really cool and would probably be happy to talk to you. Sent you a PM.

 

[horn4life]

Sounds like she needs hire a seamstress to help her bring the ideas from conception to pattern. You might consider researching some "cut and sew" manufacturers ans see if you might be able to strike up some sort of collaboration.

Ultimately you are going to likely be looking at India for your mass production. You will have to go to market first and try to get orders placed, but you would need to have all your ducks in a row regarding maufacturing BEFORE you ever take that step. But you are probably looking at India for the better quility merchandise on a larger scale.

The next step I would take might be simply spending a little money on similar patterns available commercially at fabric stores. NOT that these will be of use initially in sewing the garments, but they might do a considerable deal in helping educate your wife as to how generally sizes are cut differently.

If she doesn't know about things like material bias then she needs to educate herself.

here is a google starting point for manufacturingThe Link I would do most of my research through associations of different Textile manufacturers.

Once you have the specs you can get hard pricing from a variety of manufacturers. Also keep in mind the buyers order about a full season ahead in most cases.

 

[NickDanger]

One of my best friends is a clothes designer who had to grind it out from scratch. It took him YEARS to get it figured out. He's pretty darn successful now.
The Link

 

[tropheus]

Thanks for the info, I will file this away and revisit in about 60 days.... right now, we're focused on the pending birth of our first child.