Design Process

• Inspiration Gathering

  Visited Zara, H&M, Primark, John Lewis, Berska, Hollister to analyze materials and silhouettes

  Microscopic Details

  Action: Created a physical mood board with fabric swatches and photos. Focused on:

  • Fabric composition labels (photographed)
  • Stitch density (counted stitches per inch)
  • Hardware quality (zippers, buttons)
  • Labeling and branding techniques

  Tools: iPhone camera, Notes app for documentation

• Digital Design

  Used Procreate and Pinterest to create composite designs

  Microscopic Details

  AI Prompt for Design Blending:

  "Merge these two garment components seamlessly: 
  1. [Upload jacket base image] 
  2. [Upload design element image]
  
  Maintain the original jacket's silhouette and proportions while incorporating the design element naturally. Adjust lighting and shadows to create a cohesive look. Output should show front, back, and side views with realistic fabric draping."

  Process:

  1. Collected 50+ design elements from Pinterest
  2. Created 10 variations in Procreate
  3. Used AI to refine and blend best concepts
  4. Printed physical copies to evaluate at scale

Key Measurements

Tech Pack Creation

• Manual Tech Pack

  Created using Figma and manufacturer templates

  Components

  • Flat sketches (front, back, side) with 12+ views
  • Detailed construction callouts (stitch types, seam allowances)
  • Measurement specs for all sizes (XS-XL)
  • Fabric swatches with composition details
  • Color standards (Pantone codes)
  • Label placement and specifications
  • Packaging requirements

• Prototype Development

  Created first samples with local tailor

  Process Details

  Prototype Costs:

  • Local tailor: £120-180 per sample
  • Fabric sourcing: £40-80 per meter
  • 3 iterations typically needed

  Key Learnings:

  • Tailors good for fit testing but limited in industrial techniques
  • Essential to test with actual production fabrics
  • Document all changes between versions

Material Specifications

Manufacturer Selection

• Verified Manufacturers

  List of vetted clothing manufacturers

  Manufacturer Details

  Top Manufacturers:

  • Hongyu Apparel

    MOQ: 100 pieces

    Specialty: Outerwear

    Website: hongyuapparel.com

  • WATC Studio

    MOQ: 50 pieces

    Specialty: Contemporary fashion

    Website: watcstudio.com

  • Zhejiang Textile

    MOQ: 200 pieces

    Specialty: Knitwear

    Website: zjtextile.com

  Always verify business licenses and ask for recent client references

• Sampling Process

  Ordered and evaluated production samples

  Evaluation Criteria

  Sample Review Checklist:

  • Fabric quality against reference swatches
  • Stitch consistency (SPI measurement)
  • Color matching under different lighting
  • Fit on multiple body types
  • Label accuracy and placement
  • Packaging quality
  • Wash test results (shrinkage, color fastness)

  Costs: $80-150 per sample + shipping

Production & Shipping

Visual Identity

• Color Theory

  Strategic color palette selection

  Psychology Behind Colors

  Primary Palette:

  • Soft White (PMS Cool Gray 1) - Cleanliness, purity
  • Warm Beige (PMS 468) - Approachability, comfort
  • Deep Navy (PMS 654) - Trust, reliability

  Accent Colors:

  • Burnt Orange (PMS 158) - Energy, creativity
  • Olive Green (PMS 576) - Sustainability, nature

  White space usage: 40-60% of visual compositions to create premium feel

• Brand Assets

  Logo, packaging, and collateral

  Asset Details

  Logo Design:

  • Custom typography with subtle serifs
  • Monogram version for small applications
  • 3D embossed effect for physical products

  Packaging:

  • Recycled cardboard boxes with soy ink
  • Custom tissue paper with brand pattern
  • Hang tags with fabric swatches
  • Thank you cards with handwritten feel

Brand Positioning

Digital Marketing

• Organic Growth

  Content strategies for social media

  Platform Strategies

  Instagram:

  • 3 posts/week (mix of product, lifestyle, UGC)
  • Daily Stories with polls and Q&A
  • IGTV for behind-the-scenes
  • Hashtag strategy (3-5 branded, 5-10 community)

  TikTok:

  • 2-3 videos/week showing design process
  • Trend participation with brand twist
  • Duets with fashion creators

  Pinterest:

  • Weekly pins with SEO-optimized descriptions
  • Rich pins for product pages
  • Seasonal style guides

• Paid Advertising

  Performance marketing approach

  Ad Strategy

  Facebook/Instagram:

  • $20/day testing 3-5 creatives
  • Lookalike audiences from email list
  • Dynamic product ads for retargeting

  Google Ads:

  • Branded search terms
  • Shopping ads with optimized feeds
  • Display ads on fashion blogs

  Influencers:

  • Micro-influencers (10-50k followers)
  • Gifting with no obligation
  • Affiliate program (10-15% commission)

Customer Engagement

Sales Channels

• Direct-to-Consumer

  Shopify store with custom theme

  D2C Setup

  Tech Stack:

  • Shopify Plus for scalability
  • Klarna for installment payments
  • Loox for photo reviews
  • Recharge for subscriptions
  • Gorgias for customer service

  Key Pages:

  • Story page with brand film
  • Size guide with fit videos
  • Fabric care instructions
  • Sustainability commitment

• Wholesale Strategy

  Selective retail partnerships

  Wholesale Details

  Approach:

  • Target boutiques in key cities
  • Minimum order: $1,000
  • Wholesale margin: 50-60%
  • Consignment for select partners

  Tools:

  • Joor for digital showroom
  • Joor for digital showroom
  • Line sheets with seasonal looks
  • Press kits for buyers

Fulfillment