Tag Archive for: fabric sourcing

Podcast Ep. 06: 6 Eco-Friendly Fabrics for Your Sustainable Fashion Brand

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

If you’re looking for eco-friendly fabrics for your sustainable fashion brand, then this is the episode for you. I’m going to share the pros and cons of six of my favorite eco-friendly fabrics.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Free Supplier Email Templates

Fabric Sourcing Kit

TRANSCRIPT 

If you’re looking for eco-friendly fabrics for your sustainable fashion brand, then this is the episode for you. I’m going to share the pros and cons of six of my favorite eco-friendly fabrics.

First, I will say, it’s important to know that when it comes to fashion there’s no such thing as “perfectly sustainable.” Our goal as sustainable fashion designers is to do the best we can, always striving to improve our supply chain. On that note, I’m going to go through six of my favorite eco-friendly fabrics:

 

The first one is LYOCELL (TENCEL)

Pros:

    • A very fast-growing renewable resource from wood pulp (usually eucalyptus trees) that doesn’t require replanting, pesticides, fertilizer, etc.
    • The fabric processing involves dissolving wood pulp with a non-toxic solvent. Once the process is completed, the solution is evaporated thereby removing the water, and the remainder is reused in the next cycle.
    • Considered a “closed-loop” processing method, which is ideal.

Cons:

    • Doesn’t always hold dye well.
    • Fabric pills (little balls that fray away from the rest of the fiber).

The second one is HEMP

Pros:

    • Said to be the most durable of all natural fibers.
    • Grows plentifully in many different parts of the world.
    • Renewable resources, doesn’t require much water to grow, doesn’t require pesticides/insecticides.
    • Long roots, so it doesn’t contribute to soil erosion.
    • Highly absorbent, lightweight, and yet three times stronger than cotton.
    • Very little waste in the production of hemp fabric. 
    • Less harm to farmers.

Cons:

    • If it doesn’t have anti-wrinkle chemicals applied the wrinkles tend to wear and the fibers will start to break at the collar and hem.
    • Can be labeled organic even if there is a chemical cocktail applied to the fabric in the post-processing.

The third is CUPRO

Pros:

    • Vegan alternative to silk.
    • Created from a part of the cotton plant that is usually discarded.
    • Low shrinkage.
    • Good moisture absorbency.
    • Naturally wrinkle resistant.

Cons:

    • Takes up stains easily.
    • Goes through a salt manufacturing process that requires water.

The fourth one is LINEN

Pros:

  • Natural, lightweight, durable, highly absorbent.
  • Made from long flax fibers — stronger than cotton.

Cons:

  • Wrinkles very easily.
  • Bleached to prepare for dyeing.
  • Can be GMO.

The fifth one is ORGANIC COTTON

Pros: 

  • GMO-free.
  • Pesticides/insecticides aren’t used in the harvesting process.
  • A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years before it can be certified organic.
  • Typically a better experience for the cotton farmers (there are thousands of suicides linked to conventional cotton and farmers in India).

Cons: 

  • Although there are less chemicals used in the process, “certified-organic” doesn’t necessarily mean the cotton is 100% chemical-free. The cotton can be labeled organic but still go through a chemical treatment in the post-processing. 

And the last one is MODAL, which is very similar to tencel but modal has a slightly more delicate touch and feel. It feels softer and it is often made into lighter and thinner fabrics compared to Tencel.

Pros:

  • Cellulose fiber made from beech trees, 100% biodegradable, 50% more water absorbent than cotton, holds color and is resistant to fading.
  • Resistant to shrinking.
  • Extremely light and soft.

Cons:

  • Prone to stretching and pilling.
  • Considered bio-based over natural because of the chemical process to turn it into fabric.

If you’re looking for sustainable fabrics for your own fashion brand, then make sure to download my free email templates that will make you sound like a pro when reaching out to fabric suppliers. The link is in the description of this episode. I’m also going to link to my Fabric Sourcing Kit which provides a list of my top 10 sustainable fabric suppliers that sell sustainable fabrics at low MOQs.

/by

How to Effectively Negotiate Minimums with Fabric Suppliers

Negotiate Minimums

Here’s a scenario that happens all too often:

You find the perfect fabric for your product or collection — it has the perfect drape, the perfect weight, it’s made from the perfect fiber…

It’s 100 percent the fabric you want to use until…

The supplier says:

“That fabric has a minimum order quantity of 1,000 yards.”

And even if you haven’t worked out your exact quantities yet, you know that for your first collection, 1,000 yards is too high.

You’re looking for more like, 250 yards…

So does that mean the dream of using this fabric is dead?

Not necessarily.

In this week’s Live Show, I’m going to teach you some creative ways to effectively negotiate high MOQs with fabric suppliers.

negotiate minimums

Every week, there are two ways to watch:

  1. Join our private Facebook group here. (This is also where I send out follow-up resources and continue the discussion online).
  2. You can also stream via YouTube here. (Make sure you’re subscribed to my channel here so you can get notified when we start!)

I can promise you, you’ll want to have these tools in your back pocket the next time you find the fabric you know you want to use but you also know is only available in high quantities. 

So, let’s get you sourcing and negotiating! See you on Thursday : )

 

 

Did you miss last week’s episode of Factory45 Live about sourcing sustainable fabrics? You can watch the replay by clicking below!

/by

How to Source Sustainable Fabrics for Your Fashion Brand

Source Sustainable Fabrics

Do you know which part of building a fashion brand takes the longest?

Fabric sourcing.

In some cases, finding the perfect fabric can take six to 12 months.

Why?

Well, not only are there tens of thousands of different fabrics on the market but in some cases, you’re looking for a needle in a haystack.

All of the stars need to align on the quality of the fabric, the fiber, the weight, the price, the functionality, the drape and more… 

This is why I recommend fabric sourcing as one of the very first things you do.

It’s why fabric sourcing is the first module of Factory45 and the first thing we focus on.

And it’s why I recommend prioritizing your fabric search right now — no matter where you are in the process.

And I’m going to help you get started in this week’s Live Show.

source sustainable fabrics

On Thursday at noon ET / 9am PT, I’m going to walk you through the steps of effectively reaching out to fabric suppliers and help you learn more about the sustainable fabrics available to you.

This is such an important topic for any fashion brand, because here’s the truth:

It’s not a fabric supplier’s job to educate you.

You are responsible for writing an email, getting on the phone or going into a meeting armed with the knowledge that will help them help you.

As always, there are two ways to watch on Thursday:

  1. Join our private Facebook group here. (This is also where I send out follow-up resources and continue the discussion online).
  2. You can also stream via YouTube here. (Make sure you’re subscribed to my channel here so you can get notified when we start!)

Don’t miss this week’s opportunity to learn more about the world of wholesales fabric sourcing and how you can set yourself up for success.

See you on Thursday!

 

 

If you missed last week’s Live Show on why you need a unique selling position as a fashion brand, you can watch the replay here:

/by

Fabric Sourcing: 7 Tips for Successfully Contacting Suppliers

Fabric Sourcing

When it comes to starting a sustainable fashion brand, what’s the number one thing that takes the longest?

Fabric sourcing.

It can take as long as six months to find the perfect fabric and materials for your line.

That’s why, in the Factory45 program, it’s one of the first things we do.

But once you have an idea of the fabric you need, how do you reach out to suppliers so that you actually get a response?

If they’re receiving hundreds of emails per day from entrepreneurs like you, how do you make sure you stand out from the rest?

How do you make it easy for them to help you?

And what exactly do you say to set yourself up for a successful working relationship?

Because here’s the truth: 

95 percent of new designers are making the process harder on themselves and harder on the supplier.

And it doesn’t have to be that way.

So in this video, I’m laying out the 7 things you need to know to successfully contact fabric suppliers so you get a response.

Just click the play button below —

In the comments below the video, tell me: 

Which one of these seven tips are you going to try the next time you’re looking for fabric?

I’d love to hear from you,

 

 

 

P.S. If you’re looking to take your fabric sourcing one step further, I have The Fabric Sourcing Kit for you. It’s full of resources to help you source fabric in 30 days — including a list of my top 10 sustainable fabric suppliers. You can check it out here.

THIS WEEK ON THE CLEAN LIVING PODCAST

Listen on Apple Podcasts here | Listen on Spotify here

LEMON I’ve become a little obsessed with natural ways of boosting my immune system. To be honest, it hadn’t really dawned on me before the pandemic hit how important it is to be preventive and not just reactive about getting sick. In this episode, I’m sharing one little food hack that is as simple as squeezing a lemon. 

HUMMUS In my mind, hummus is the perfect snack — it’s filling, can be spread or dipped onto any number of foods and it’s a great source of protein. So when I saw a study released by the Environmental Working Group about glyphosate levels in hummus and chickpeas, my throat dropped into my stomach.

WATER When I first found out that our Brita water filter wasn’t removing nearly as many contaminants as I thought it was, I went down a deep rabbit hole to find the best water filter at an affordable price. Turns out, the research wasn’t nearly as straightforward as I was hoping it would be… 

fabric sourcing

/by

Fabric Sourcing: How to Negotiate High Minimums

designer sourcing fabric

When I was starting a sustainable fashion brand back in 2011 I spent close to a year reaching out to fabric suppliers.

After months of dead-ends, it felt like we would never find the perfect fabric we needed for our product.

Admittedly, our standards were high. 

My then co-founder and I were looking for a 100% recycled fabric that was spun and knitted in the United States. 

We didn’t even know if that fabric existed.

But by some miracle, we eventually connected with a knitter in North Carolina who could sell us the fabric we needed.

The only problem?

The supplier’s minimum order quantity (MOQ) was over 1,000 yards. As a startup brand, who hadn’t even sold anything yet, we couldn’t begin to place an order that large.

But we also knew we couldn’t let this fabric pass us by. 

So, what did we do?

We negotiated.

(In a rather unconventional way…)

And in today’s video, I’m going to tell you how we did it so that when you find your perfect fabric you’ll know how to do it, too.

Enjoy!

 


 
 
 

fabric sourcing

/by

Fabric Sourcing: How to Determine the Fabric You Need

Here’s an all-too-common frustration I hear from new entrepreneurs who don’t have a fashion background:

“There are just too many fabric options — it gives me complete decision paralysis.”

One of the first obstacles to overcome as a new fashion brand is how to determine the fabric you need for your product(s).

It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of fabric options to choose from.

You may decide on the fiber you want to use, but you don’t know if it should be a knit or a woven.

You may know that you want an organic cotton jersey knit, but you don’t know which weight you need.

Then there’s the confusion of ounces versus grams, depending on which country you’re sourcing from.

No wonder fabric sourcing is the very first module of the Factory45 accelerator program — it’s usually the part of the process that takes the longest!

So in today’s video, I’m sharing a quick and easy hack to start determining the fabric you need — and you don’t even need to leave your house (unless you want to).

I want you to feel empowered to tackle fabric sourcing head-on and overcome the paralysis of “too many options.”

Just this little exercise can help create some clarity around fabric and prove that even a beginner can successfully source fabric for her fashion brand.

Click the play button below to watch this short video!

Enjoy,

 


 
 
 

fabric sourcing

/by

Your 2020 List of Sustainable Fashion Events

Every year around this time, I try googling a list of fashion events happening around the world, and I’m never able to find a comprehensive list… 

So, I put one together for us.

This list focuses mainly on sourcing, tradeshows and conferences with an emphasis on sustainable fashion, specifically.

I’ve also divided the events into USA and International — if there’s a tradeshow or conference that’s missing, please email me and I’ll add it to the blog post!

Enjoy,

 

 

*Designates the event being exclusively sustainable fashion-focused.

 

USA

Texworld USA

Jan. 19-21 | New York, NY

One of the largest sourcing events on the East Coast for apparel fabric buyers, product R&D specialists, designers, merchandisers and sourcing professionals. 

 

DG Expo New York

Jan. 20-21 | New York, NY

The fabric show features North American and European Fabric and Trim Suppliers with Global Production. Including: Made in USA / Low Minimums + Stock Programs.

 

Premiere Vision New York

Jan. 21-22 | New York, NY

Six major industries supplying materials and services to the global fashion industry come together in New York.

 

MAGIC Las Vegas

Feb. 5-7 | Las Vegas, NV

MAGIC is the most comprehensive fashion marketplace in the U.S., showcasing Women’s and Men’s Apparel, Footwear, Accessories, and Sourcing resources from around the world.

 

COTERIE

Feb. 11-13 | New York, NY

The COTERIE Marketplace brings together all categories of women’s fashion under one roof.

 

*Impact Fashion Shop

March 14 | Los Angeles, CA

One of the leading sustainable fashion events in Los Angeles, this free pop-up shop brings the best impact-driven, environmental-friendly, fair trade brands under one roof.

 

DG Expo Dallas

March 25-26 | Dallas, TX

The fabric show features North American and European Fabric and Trim Suppliers with Global Production. Including: Made in the USA / Low Minimums + Stock Programs.

 

*Sustainable Fashion Forum

April 24-26 | Portland, OR

A highly-curated, community-driven sustainable fashion conference that looks to the future by fostering an honest, thought-provoking conversation about the social and environmental effects fashion has on our world and what we can do individually and collectively to improve it.

 

INTERNATIONAL

The London Textile Fair

Jan. 15-16 | London, UK

Provides manufacturers and their agents with the opportunity to showcase their products to the most influential British buyers and designers.

 

IM INTERMODA

Jan. 16 | Guadalajara, Mexico

IM INTERMODA, is the most important international platform in the fashion industry in Latin America.

 

Future Fabric Expo

Jan. 29-30 | London, UK

The Future Fabrics Expo is the largest dedicated showcase of globally sourced available sustainably and responsibly produced fabrics and materials.

 

Pure Origin

Feb. 9-11 | London, UK

The UK’s only fashion sourcing show to bring every element of the fashion supply chain together in one location.

 

Texworld Paris

Feb. 10-13 | Paris, France

One of the largest sourcing events in Europe for apparel fabric buyers, product R&D specialists, designers, merchandisers and sourcing professionals. 

 

Premiere Vision-Paris

Feb. 11-13 | Paris, France

Six major industries supplying materials and services to the global fashion industry come together in Paris, the capital of fashion.

 

*Drapers Sustainable Fashion Conference

March 11 | London, UK

Brought to you by Drapers, the event is for fashion brands and retailers, clothes manufacturers, supply chain experts, innovators.

 

*The Australian Circular Fashion Conference

April 1-2 | Melbourne, Australia

The conference is specifically designed as a call to action for collaboration within the

Australasian textile and apparel industry.

 

Fashion World Tokyo

April 1-3 | Tokyo, Japan

FASHION WORLD TOKYO in Japan’s largest fashion trade show which consists of 6 specialized shows, held twice a year.

 

International Apparel & Textile Fair

April 7-9 | Dubai, UAE

Leading brand in the MENA region to source and showcase the best in textiles, fabric, footwear accessories and prints from renowned mills across the globe.

 

*Copenhagen Fashion Summit

May 27-28 | Copenhagen, Denmark

From CEO’s and creative directors to policymakers and thought leaders, the Summit brings together decision-makers from across the globe for agenda-setting discussions on the most critical environmental, social and ethical issues facing our industry and planet.

 

*MOCHNI Conscious Loft

July 4 | Hamburg, Germany

CONSCIOUS LOFT is a cozy 1-day event for people looking to connect, learn and shop in an intimate atmosphere. At CONSCIOUS LOFT you will feel consciously at home within a like-minded community.

 

International Sourcing Expo

Nov. 24-26 | Melbourne, Australia

The show provides an unmatched opportunity to meet and do business with some of the best suppliers from around the world in apparel, accessories and textiles.

 

fabric sourcing

/by

6 Eco-Friendly Fabrics for Your Sustainable Fashion Brand

What is an “eco-friendly” fabric?

That’s the golden question — and it’s a subject of debate among designers, educators and industry veterans. 

Above all, it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as “perfectly sustainable.” 

Everything new has an impact in some way.

The goal as sustainable fashion entrepreneurs is to do the best we can, always striving to improve our supply chain, educate our customers and put pressure on the big brands to move away from petroleum-based synthetics. 

So on that note, I’ve put together a video of my six favorite eco-friendly fabrics. I go through the pros and cons of each one — because again, nothing is perfect… 

Unless you’re using truly upcycled fabric, but that’s a video for another day.

Click on the video below to play.

Which fabric did I miss? Leave a comment below the video to tell me your favorite eco-friendly fabric : )

 


 
 
 

Want more fabric sourcing advice? Watch this video: Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand in 5 Easy Steps

fabric sourcing

/by

This is What Most Successful Entrepreneurs Wish They Had Done Sooner

Want to know how fun I am at the ripe old age of 34…? 

I spent most of the past weekend live-streaming an entrepreneurship conference.

Party. Time. Amiright?

While this isn’t something my 21-year-old self would ever understand about who I’ve become, this is genuinely my version of a rip-roaring good time.

I just said “rip-roaring,” so yeah.

Anyway, of the entrepreneurs on stage at this conference — all of whom we’d categorize as successful — there seemed to be one common thread of advice.

The vast majority said something like this:

“I wish that I had invested in my business sooner.”

And they weren’t talking about hiring or outsourcing or seeking VC money.

They were talking about education.

One of the business owners said she’s spent tens of thousands of dollars on courses, programs, masterminds, digital products, coaches and mentors over the years and only wishes she had done it sooner.

Because every time she made a single investment in her knowledge, her business improved.

As someone who is a huge advocate for online education (for obvious reasons), I also spend a significant part of my own revenue each year on learning something new about my business.

I’ve taken courses on digital advertising, email marketing, Instagram, media outreach, YouTube, business law and a multitude of other topics at different times over the years.

And what I’ve noticed is not only does this investment in your business give you the inspiration to learn, but it also gives you insight into what you’re capable of doing yourself and what makes sense to outsource.

After the digital advertising course, I knew I wanted to hire someone to do it for me. (Numbers… do not compute…)

But email marketing, Instagram and YouTube? Those programs empowered me. They made me feel like I could conquer those important parts of my business on my own.

And that’s what The Factory45 Shop is all about — it’s why I created it. 

Because if you’re ready to start now, then I want you to feel empowered to take action.

If you’re waiting for Factory45 applications to open in May, then The Fabric Sourcing Kit is for you.

If you’re getting ready to go into product development and production, then The Manufacturing Kit is for you.

If you’re ready to start building your brand with the goal of a pre-sales launch campaign, then The Crowdfunding Factory is for you (enrollment closes tonight at midnight ET!)

And if you’re facing a specific challenge that you just can’t seem to conquer, then I’m offering 1-on-1 strategy sessions until December 20th.

The chance to invest in your own business education is here for you.

And according to over a dozen seasoned entrepreneurs speaking to a packed audience, you won’t regret taking it.

 


 
 

Crowdfunding

/by

The Factory45 Shop: Digital Products for Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneurs

To the person hustling through nights and weekends to launch their brand,

To the person waiting for applications to Factory45 to open,

To the person not knowing where to start…

I made something for you.

The Factory45 Shop is a new platform exclusively created for startup fashion entrepreneurs.

Over the past 5+ years of running Factory45 once a year, from May to December, I kept getting the same requests…

“I’m ready to start now!”

“I don’t want to wait until May of next year!”

“What can I work on while I wait?”

And now I have an answer.

I’ve created three digital products that offer immediate access, so you can start working on your fashion brand right now.

Whether you plan on applying to Factory45 in May 2020 or not, these three resources will answer some of those immediate questions you have about starting a fashion brand.

Not feeling confident about reaching out to fabric suppliers?

The Fabric Sourcing Kit is for you.

Want to avoid costly mistakes in product development and apparel production? 

The Manufacturing Kit is for you.

Need to raise money to launch your brand — without giving up equity? 

The Crowdfunding Factory is for you.

There is also an opportunity for established brands to connect with me for a 1-on-1 strategy session through December 20th.

It’s all here.

Read through the details and if you’re not sure which kit or course is right for you, then just email me at shannon@f45staging.wpengine.com — I’m happy to offer recommendations.

Wherever you are in your fashion business, this is an opportunity to take action. Grab onto it.

I’m cheering you on,


 
 

/by