Do you own a brand and are switching to domestic production? Or perhaps you are launching a brand for the first time? One of the first questions to ask yourself is "When should I be working on a season in order to have enough time for production?"
The general rule for domestically produced fashion is to work on Fall in the Spring and Spring in the Fall. Spring collections are generally shown and purchased by buyers in the Fall before and vice-versa. That is traditionally when retail buyers have "open dollars" for their floor. Whether you are aiming to have your product purchased by retailers, or if you are selling directly to your end consumer, this is a great calendar plan to follow.
Let's look at Spring for example and work backward:
March 1 - Launch website/deliver to stores (your dates may not be this date, each circumstance is unique)
February 15 - Receive production- Receive collection with enough time to quality check, organize, set up backstock, inventory, and last-minute merchandising and marketing.
November 1- February 15 - Production- Give your factory enough time to successfully sew your collection without rushing. This can be as little as 6 weeks and depending on their workload and the size of your order, they may need 3 months. Remember that the sooner you can get to this step, the better your chances are to get a great spot in your producer's line up!
October 1 - Production planning and ordering. It is never too early to plan for your production, but you can't correctly order your supplies before your prototype is approved and you know your yields. Talk to your factory and developer to gather that information and to know both your factory minimums as well as at what quantities they give price breaks.
September 1 - October 1 - Prototypes are approved and you go into the final development steps of grading, size set testing. Assuming this all takes just one set of samples for approval, this step can take 3 weeks (or if changes are needed, it may take longer)
August 1 - September 1 - Prototypes are made. As you may need to sample more than 1 sample created before it is 100% approved by you, you will want to pad your timing and get this started as early as possible. Sometimes you find the fabric choice does not work, you want fit or style alterations, you don't like the colors, or you want more colors. It is important to be completely happy with your final samples before you can approve them in every way.
July 1 - August 1 - Tech packs are made, patterns are started. Since Tech packs are the "blueprints" of fashion designs, they take time to create and to iron out every detail of a garment before that garment is made.
June 1 - July 1 - Sourcing and planning- This step is the design phase. Gathering up your inspiration, choosing fabrics and colors, sketching your designs, and planning how they all will work together- giving yourself plenty of time to get this all organized is essential to having solid direction as you go forward. Defining who you are is the first step!
Remember to plan when your photoshoot and marketing planning/set up will take place. After your prototypes are made and during the production of your collection is a great time!
Another very important point to keep in mind is the trade show and fashion show calendars- this is only if you choose to participate in them as a method of selling as well as for exposure. If you are selling direct-to-consumer in a brick-and-mortar or an online store, you have a bit more freedom in your schedule, but straying from this calendar is generally dangerous for timing and ease of production!
Ask us about booking a consultation for more information on your unique calendar and design plan.