The ultimate guide to starting your fashion brand
The ultimate guide to starting your fashion brand
Nike first operated out of a car trunk, Coco Chanel worked as a seamstress before launching her eponymous brand, and Spanx was launched from the founder’s apartment. The moral of the story is that most big fashion brands today trace back to humble beginnings — which is why if you dream of launching your clothing line, it’s always a good idea to chase that goal sooner than later.
Here’s a handy guide that can help.
A 5-step guide to launching your fashion brand in 2023
1.Create your business plan
Your business plan is the blueprint that will guide your entire fashion brand, so pay attention to the little and the big details here. The strategy you create should ideally cover all the following aspects:
- The need in the market that your brand will fulfill
- Your target audience
- Your core product line
- Your business models
- The funding and capital requirements for your business
- Your marketing targets
- Your financial projections
2.Develop a procurement strategy
Once you have clarity on the fashion products you aim to manufacture or retail, you need to source the raw materials required for your business. Securing the supply chain and partnering with the right vendors is a huge (and necessary) step in the right direction. Your procurement strategy needs to be cost-effective and profitable while remaining sustainable so your brand is future-proof.
3.Determine the pricing and profit metrics
Aside from the procurement and raw material costs, you will also have to account for various other outlays like marketing, borrowing, and additional indirect costs. Factor these in and determine the price point for your product lines. This will make the expected profit margins clearer for your stakeholders.
4.Design and develop the products
Product design and development is the next step in launching your fashion brand, and this segment is particularly crucial in the fashion industry. If the business idea stemmed from your specific skills in this niche, you might be more involved in the operations area. It is imperative to ensure that the resources procured from suppliers are used optimally to create apparel or accessories without high waste.
5.Focus on the marketing aspects
Creating brand awareness helps get word of your clothing or fashion line out to your target market. Social media is one of the most potent marketing channels you can use today. Other marketing tools like advertisements and other digital channels can complement this. As more people or businesses in your target group learn about your fashion brand, you will find it easier to meet your sales and distribution targets.
Give your fashion brand the upgrade it deserves with a reliable procurement partner
Moglix fashion makes launching and upgrading your fashion brand and product line easy with innovative solutions that tackle everything — from design to delivery. Our services include custom manufacturing solutions, invoice financing, raw material procurement, quality checks, brand collaborations and more. Visit our website to know more.
The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Fashion
The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Fashion
The fashion industry significantly contributes to the carbon footprint, releasing an alarming 2.1 billion tons of emissions yearly. This surpasses the combined emissions of the shipping and aviation industries. However, with the planet desperate for eco-conscious solutions, the fashion sector is now stepping up to the challenge, leading the way with sustainable fashion. From reducing waste to optimizing processes.
From Fast to Forever: A Guide to Ethical Style
Sustainable style prioritizes the environment in fashion by using eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and reducing waste in production. Sustainable fabrics, made through environmentally responsible processes and incorporating recycled materials, such as recycled polyester and organic cotton is key to this approach, allowing consumers to stay fashionable and eco-friendly simultaneously.
Fashioning a Better Future: Circular Economy and Sustainable Style
Sustainable fashion thrives on the principles of the circular economy. It embodies a visionary approach where resources are judiciously used, and waste is mitigated. Today, leading fashion brands recognize the importance of designing and producing clothing that maximizes its life cycle and minimizes its environmental footprint. From reinventing clothing to reducing the reliance on single-use plastics in supply chains, firms are now dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for fashion.
The Next Frontier of Sustainable Fashion
The future of sustainable fashion looks bright as more and more consumers become aware of their purchasing choices’ impact on the environment. Brands are also responding to this demand by incorporating sustainable practices into their production processes and investing in environmentally friendly materials and techniques. The sustainable fashion industry is worth over $6.5 billion and is projected to surpass $10 Billion by 2025. Additionally, products labeled as sustainable are expected to grow at a pace 5.6 times greater than those without this designation.
Navigating the World of Green Fashion
Sustainable fashion is more than just a trend; it is a crucial step toward preserving our planet for future generations. By choosing sustainable fabrics and supporting brands prioritizing sustainability, brands can help create a more environment friendly fashion industry. To take the first step in your sustainable fashion journey, visit Moglix, your one-stop solution for next-gen procurement and supply chain solutions. Join the movement towards a more sustainable future with Moglix.
Fabric Sourcing 101: A Handy Guide for Fashion Brands Today
Fabric Sourcing 101: A Handy Guide for Fashion Brands Today
McKinsey and the World Economic Forum have an interesting estimate to share; the number of garments produced annually has doubled since 2000. If your business operates in this dynamic market segment, fabric sourcing is crucial because clothing manufacturers rely heavily on an uninterrupted fabric procurement ecosystem. If your business hasn’t secured this aspect yet, there’s no better time than now.
Here’s a helpful fabric sourcing guide for fashion and lifestyle brands operating in the new normal.
Fabric sourcing 101
abric sourcing is the process of identifying fabric suppliers to meet the raw material requirements of your business. It also involves implementing solutions to manage the delivery and the supply chain efficiently, getting the required materials on time, and sourcing fabrics within a predetermined budget. To create an effective fabric sourcing strategy, you must understand the different types of suppliers you can choose from.
Types of fabric suppliers to handle your sourcing requirements
Fabric suppliers can belong to any of the following categories.
- Fabric mills and factories
Fabric mills and factories meet customized fabric requirements at cost-effective rates. However, there will typically be strict minimum order requirements in place.
- Converters and jobbers
Next in the supply chain are converters, companies that transform unfinished materials from mills into sellable fabrics. Jobbers sell limited stocks left over from converters.
- Trade shows
Trade shows allow fashion brands to shop around for different fabrics as well as different sources under a single roof.
- Online suppliers
For businesses that are keen on embracing e-procurement, sourcing fabrics online is an excellent alternative. It’s future-proof, economical and easier to track and manage.
4 key things to look for when you are sourcing fabrics for your business
Whichever kind of fabric supplier you decide to partner with, it is crucial to check the following criteria to make informed and prudent fabric procurement decisions.
- Affordability
While quality is certainly vital, it is also necessary to choose a supplier whose cost metrics align with your budget. Overspending could quickly lead to a cash crunch across your supply chain.
- Availability
Sourcing fabrics in bulk at short notice may often be impossible. To ensure consistency in the availability of the desired fabrics, you need to choose suppliers who support bulk purchases.
- Functionality
The fabrics you procure must also be tested for functionality to ensure the clothing or accessory turns out as planned. Purchasing samples before ordering in bulk can help here.
- Sustainability
Sustainability in fabric sourcing is an essential box to check. It helps future-proof your procurement process and helps you meet any ESG criteria that may be in place.
Want to upgrade your sourcing strategy? Here’s an idea!
Managing multiple vendors and suppliers can be quite the challenge for businesses today. Steer clear of this roadblock by choosing Moglix fashion to handle all your business requirements comprehensively, from design to delivery. With end-to-end solutions that include raw material procurement, brand collaborations, quality checks and an extensive network of suppliers, you stand to gain a lot with the Moglix advantage.
Visit our website to know more
The Future Is Bright for The Athleisure Industry
The Future Is Bright for The Athleisure Industry
Every few years, a new trend pops up and takes the world by storm before promptly giving way to another. While many fashion trends are short-lived, a few completely revolutionize the industry and grow year after year. Athleisure, the confluence of athletic clothing and leisure wear, is one such anomaly. What began as a niche fashion choice touted by celebrities and large fashion brands has seeped its way into the mainstream across national borders. In addition, the static period of the covid-19 pandemic made athleisure an even more relevant choice. Studies showed that orders of athleisure clothing have grown by 84% since the pandemic’s beginning. Valued at $306 billion in 2021, the athleisure industry is expected to grow by 8.9% by 2030. When trying to understand the rise of athleisure and its surprising resilience as a fashion trend, it is important to explore why people are so attracted to this type of clothing.
The Intersection of Style and Comfort
Blue denim may be classic, but colored denim is ever-increasing in popularity. For instance, white and black denim are crowd favorites when it comes to jeans. In addition, non-standard colors like brown, mustard, military green, and even red are finding their place in the spotlight. Unique fabric shades are also preferred for other kinds of apparel, like denim skirts, jackets, and jumpsuits.While our world pre-pandemic could be neatly segregated into professional or casual clothing, the lines have been increasingly blurred since. With work meetings being taken in yesterday’s track pants and office wear becoming obsolete, people were looking for clothing that gave the appearance of style with the comfort of loungewear. Athleisure fits neatly into the niche, with easy-to-wear options that still show a sense of personal identity. Blue denim may be classic, but colored denim is ever-increasing in popularity. For instance, white and black denim are crowd favorites when it comes to jeans. In addition, non-standard colors like brown, mustard, military green, and even red are finding their place in the spotlight. Unique fabric shades are also preferred for other kinds of apparel, like denim skirts, jackets, and jumpsuits.
Size-Inclusive
For years, major fashion brands have come under fire for creating clothing lines that cater to a specific body type, as represented in beauty norms. While the tides have begun to turn, there is still a long way to go to break barriers for size inclusivity. Athleisure, by nature, provides various options and stretchable sizes that can do more than the conventional sizing chart. While brands must still make a conscious effort to manufacture for all sizes, it is undoubtedly easier to begin this in the athleisure industry.
The Growth of Streetwear
Streetwear, a vast term whose meaning is precisely what it sounds like, is a growing industry in mainstream and niche markets. Streetwear clothing tends to be experimental, unique, and more expensive than fast fashion choices. The rise of athleisure has complemented the growth of streetwear, as the two often overlap. Streetwear is touted as a powerful way to show personal expression in one’s day-to-day clothing choices.
The Importance of Sourcing and Manufacturing Right
Given the highly competitive nature of the athleisure industry, it is crucial to source and manufacture your products without ratcheting up costs or delays. New brands can begin with sourcing or producing small batches of activewear. If yours is a young company in this market segment, you may want to start by sourcing or manufacturing a few athleisure products in some basic colors. Once you gather clarity on how your target audience reacts to your products and what else they are looking for, you can fill the gaps, scale up and expand into larger batches.
To get sourcing and manufacturing right in an industry as ambitious as the activewear segment, you need to identify the right sourcing and manufacturing partners. Moglix helps you manage the sourcing and manufacturing process for your business comprehensively, from end to end. So, get in touch with us to experience the advantage of holistic supply chain transformation today.
Up close and personal: Getting to know the denim market in India
Up close and personal: Getting to know the denim market in India
In the post-pandemic world, the denim industry appears to be one of the fastest-recovering segments. The trusted market research agency Research and Markets projections suggest that the global denim market may be valued at $87.4 billion by 2027.
Against such lofty possibilities, the Indian denim market holds great promise and potential. Today, with an annual installed capacity of nearly 1,600 million meters of denim fabric, India’s market is second only to China’s in terms of sheer size.
Top trends in the denim market
Colored denim
Blue denim may be classic, but colored denim is ever-increasing in popularity. For instance, white and black denim are crowd favorites when it comes to jeans. In addition, non-standard colors like brown, mustard, military green, and even red are finding their place in the spotlight. Unique fabric shades are also preferred for other kinds of apparel, like denim skirts, jackets, and jumpsuits.
Washed denim
Transparency is crucial in the supply chain, and sustainability is fast becoming a necessary box to tick. Unfortunately, many suppliers in the apparel supply chain fail to communicate vital information about logistical delays on time. They may also use unsustainable supply chain practices without disclosing them. Washed denim is softer, more stable, and easier to handle. The fabric may be put through different kinds of wash before it’s sold. The most common type is stone wash, which uses pumice stones. Then, there’s an acid wash for the denim fabric, which uses pumice stones soaked in an acid solution. You also have rinse and enzyme wash, each of which is effective.
Quilted denim
Lead times have increasingly become shorter because of reducing product cycles and the rising preference for fast fashion. This makes it tough for apparel companies to obtain delivery of their supplies in a timely manner. Quilted denim products blend style and functionality for customers looking for warm clothing that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. This denim category achieves the desired results by using crosshatch stitches on cotton-based denim and adding a light layer of thermal poly. Popular products in this segment include quilted denim jackets, coats, coveralls, and even bags.
Stretch denim products
While perishability may not be a big issue for the apparel industry, transportation issues can often plague its supply chain. As a result, shipments may go missing or products could reach the end user in a damaged condition, leading to a loss of credibility for the apparel company. Stretch denim typically uses other synthetic fabrics like lycra or elastane to make garments more flexible. This makes the fit better too, which is why an increasing segment of customers prefers flexible denim to the traditional fabric version. In addition, stretchy denim is primarily lightweight. Bull denim fabric may be the exception since it is a heavier variant that is 100% cotton.
Give your denim business an upgrade with the best-in-class fashion solutions.
The denim market can be dynamic and challenging. You need peerless solutions from sourcing to delivery to stay ahead of the competition. Moglix can help you here. We offer a one-stop solution for all your denim design and sourcing needs with end-to-end custom manufacturing services, hassle-free order tracking, brand collaborations, logistics, inventory management, and more.
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Challenges In Apparel and Fashion Industry Supply Chain
Challenges In Apparel and Fashion Industry Supply Chain
Despite the dampening effect of the pandemic on various industries, the apparel industry in India continues to thrive. Reports from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed that in FY22, India’s apparel sector hit a record growth of 40.55% in its exports. The road ahead certainly looks bright for companies in this sector. But complications in supply chain sourcing need to be tackled in time to ensure they do not hamper the industry’s projected growth.
Here are 4 of the main challenges the Indian apparel industry faces today, and how they can be tackled.
Demand volatility
The rising popularity of fast fashion has led to dynamic demand from customers. This ever-changing shift in demand needs to be met by competent suppliers who can keep pace with evolving customer needs. Securing reliable suppliers who meet these criteria can be a major challenge for apparel companies.
Solution:
Extensive market research to shortlist the best suppliers who have a track record of prompt delivery can help.
Lack of supply chain sustainability and transparency
Transparency is crucial in the supply chain, and sustainability is fast becoming a necessary box to tick. Unfortunately, many suppliers in the apparel supply chain fail to communicate vital information about logistical delays on time. They may also use unsustainable supply chain practices without disclosing them.
Solution:
Apparel companies can choose to partner with suppliers who offer updates at every stage of the supply chain. They must also look into the sustainability of the logistics before choosing suppliers.
Shorter lead times
Lead times have increasingly become shorter because of reducing product cycles and the rising preference for fast fashion. This makes it tough for apparel companies to obtain delivery of their supplies in a timely manner.
Solution:
The solution to tackling shorter lead times is supply chain optimization. Companies need to choose suppliers with the resources to handle bulk orders swiftly and without any delay.
Missing or damaged shipment
While perishability may not be a big issue for the apparel industry, transportation issues can often plague its supply chain. As a result, shipments may go missing or products could reach the end user in a damaged condition, leading to a loss of credibility for the apparel company.
Solution:
Some of the causes of damaged shipments may be inevitable. But real-time monitoring of shipments can help companies take corrective measures in a timely manner.
Bridge the gaps in your supply chain today
If your business operates in the Indian apparel and fashion industry, you may be familiar with some or all of the challenges outlined above. Moglix can help you close these gaps and make your supply chain more robust and efficient. Visit our website to know more.
