As in all areas, the existence of reliable strategic partners in the fashion industry is very important. In this story, you can read my thoughts that come up in my head with the word partnership.

Although the world is in turmoil at the moment, all the positive, wonderful emotions, and relationships I have experienced at Apparel and Clothing Trade Fairs over the years, can’t be deleted from my memory. Below I share my thoughts, the basic subject matter of which doesn’t change in time or space.

Once again, I feel pleasantly excited and rejoice at these milling people and roaring bouts of laughter from all sides. I have entered the exhibition hall of another International Clothing Trade Fair! I’m wandering between the booths of different clothing brands and gaze at the stands full of garments. Half a year has passed – how time flies! We are on board, the fashion carousel is going to spin again! But is it really starting now, at this moment?

Usually, buyers of the collections don’t think about how many working hours it takes for these passively hanging items of clothing to reach the viewers – everyone has their job to do. It`s a result of all strategic partners’ cooperation. At the same time, it is exciting to know how many months novice designers, as well as experienced designers, clothing product developers, and sample batch producers, have labored to make another coat, skirt, or blouse to catch the eye of buyers and later, adorn their wearer! In fact, each item has its secret story to tell.

Looking at the designers who present their collections, I have often wondered what makes them use specific fabrics, or what has been the trigger for the idea of their next collection.

As in all spheres of life, there are both traditional and non-traditional approaches to finding new ideas for garment collections, and we have experienced all this in the product development process at Baltic Intertex for many years. It has been a great pleasure to be a companion in many intriguing creative processes.

Whenever a new designer comes to meet us, in addition to developing the desired model and negotiating over a collaborative project, I have always asked how their creative process works. What fascinates and inspires them, and what fears and hesitations overwhelm them.

“Ulvi, do you think I should change career?“

Right away, I recall a funny incident with Ulla, the designer with whom I have been working for over 15 years. During all those years we have become real strategic partners and close friends. At the first meeting of each new collection discussion, at some point, she asks, with a smile on her face: “Ulvi, do you think I should change career?” As you might expect, she has continued with collections, but the question gives a vivid overview of the designer’s internal monologue: “Can I create something else that makes my collection special and attracts my customers?”

I also remember a meeting with a Danish designer, during which I learned that she always needs to feel the structure of the fabric between her fingers, see the actual colors, and only then will models start to form in her head, and new ideas will be born. For example, she always sewed her first prototype samples herself, which helped her to activate her inner creativity, and create a deeper connection with her new “babies”.

…he always created a model for “himself” – he unleashed all his creativity…

In today’s changed era, where clothing trade fairs have been digital for several seasons, designers need to find new clever ways to market their collections. On the one hand, to find the best way to make their work attractive and outstanding at digital clothing fairs, on the other hand, to find peace in their soul knowing that their samples will be made with great care and love.

Regardless of the field of business, everyone understands that reliable strategic partners are needed for business to flourish. Similarly, the success of designer clothing brands is based on creativity and skillful marketing, but apparel prototyping, the development of technological solutions for models, product development, and the production of eye-catching samples cannot be underestimated. In this respect, Baltic Intertex can kindly lend a helping hand.

…what would be the best method of creating a collection …

Sometimes, clients have asked for our advice during collection meetings on the best method to create a collection for them. Based on the designer’s input task, Baltic Intertex offers different sample variants:

A small collection

Typically, a collection contains up to 10 models and is typical for novice designers. Such a collection can test the customer demand, and it also helps keep costs under control well enough.

Small sample series

They are primarily used in a situation where the same model is made of different fabrics (2-3 products). With such a solution, the designer has the opportunity to emphasize the diversity of the same model and expand the display of their collection.

Salesman samples (SMS)

Based on the number of salespeople, a complete collection has been made for each. We have also made 20 samples of the model, but currently, the large numbers of SMS show a downward trend as designers use new online sales solutions.

Photo sample or fashion show sample.

The sample belongs to a regular collection, but its production has considered the specifics and size of a particular mannequin.

The eye-catcher of a fashion show

It`s a unique model, a single garment, created for the show only.

E-shop sample

Often an online shop asks for a sample to take a photo, but the sample may not correspond to a later product but can be used to test the model’s marketability. Therefore, various photo editing programs are often used to process the sample.

Fit sample

The fit sample can be made of a similar fabric to the one planned for the final design, as this will evaluate the item’s fit before the final model is made of the correct material.

Size set samples

The same style has been made for a partial or entire size set range. Such samples help understand and evaluate the enlarging and reducing rules in sizing.

Pre-production sample

We recommend making such samples if the designer wants to make significant constructional changes to the model, and the information input usually comes from customer feedback.

Ask if you have some unmentioned sample wish, and we will make it real.

Reliable strategic partners are one of the cornerstones of success. Contact with Baltic Intertex and let the synergy works!

We will be very happy if you think that this story could be of interest to your friends.