Dear Steffah,
It is true that commercial designers of textile products do not
purchase their material in retail stores. If you're only starting and
practicing, or if you are doing this as a hobby, it's not a bad idea
to purchase it at retail prices or what is sometimes called "retail at
wholesale prices" (which is of course hogwash).
However, once you're set on a certain design/product, consider
purchasing the rolls at wholesale price. However, think about it:
manufacturers and wholesale distributors demand a certain minimum
order, which is not always worthwhile for small
designer-entrepreneurs.
There are advantages in going to a manufacturer/wholesale distributor
directly. The price, if you're up to it, is only one point. As a
designer, you can get a customised design or print on your rolls, as
well, if that's what you want; and naturally, you can choose between
offers that the manufacturer already has.
Please note, that most (if not all) if these distributors would expect
you to be a "real" business - that is, with a tax-ID, business account
in your bank, collaterals that you're good for your money and that you
can order in wholesale amounts.
Where do you meet those manufacturers/distributors?
Appareal Search has a list of wholesale fabric distributors :
Fabric Wholesale Distributors
http://www.apparelsearch.com/Wholesale_Clothing/Components/wholesale_fabric.htm
Chenille Magic Wholesale Purchasing Information
http://www.chenillemagic.com/mall/chenillewholesale.asp
Their main site:
http://www.chenillemagic.com/
Fabricmart
<http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/controller/wholesale_fabric.php>
Berenstein Textiles
<http://www.berensteintextiles.com/>
Another good idea is to go to trade shows. You get to see the
merchandise, talk with the manufacturers, etc.
Tradeshow directory
<http://www.apparelsearch.com/trade_show_by_category_textiles_and_fibers.htm>
NY Home Textile Show
<http://www.nyhometextiles.com/>
Here are some advices, from LA, but helpful nevertheless:
LA Textile wholesale fabric show
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/mt/archives/la_textile_wholesale_fabric_show.html
Further Information
===================
AskAndy
<http://www.fabrics.net/AskAndy.asp> - advice culumn about textile and fabric
Fashiondex
<http://www.fashiondex.com/silver/fabric/> - fabrics by category
Google Local search: wholesale textile in NYC
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=wholesale+textile&near=NYC&sll=40.714216,-74.006653&sspn=0.174613,0.316544&ie=UTF8&sa=N&start=10
Infomat
<http://www.infomat.com/>
Apparel Trade Magazine
<http://apparelmag.com/>
AAA {Pattern Marking)
http://www.aaapatternsmarking.com/
Sally Beers (pattern design)
<http://pattern-design.com/index.html>
Designer Entrepreneurs
<http://designer-entrepreneurs.com/>
RHF Apparel
<http://www.rhfapparel.com/>
Printing on Clothing and Textile
<http://www.apparelsearch.com/Apparel_Search_2.htm>
Your Checklist
==============
* Establish a small business. Find out what kind of help you can get at:
NYC Department of Small Business Services
<http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/home.html>
* Decide whether you want to buy fabrics in small amounts, or by the
yard from "real" wholesalers.
* Go to trade shows, in any case. Even in order to learn more.
* design marketing strategy
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. |
Request for Answer Clarification by
steffah-ga
on
16 Oct 2006 17:25 PDT
Thank you for your answer. Do you have any idea as to the
profitability of this type of business? I know there are a number of
variables affecting profitibility, I just question if there is any
information on this industry. Take for instance retail clothing --
you can expect that is marked up 2.2x. Do you know of any metrics or
metrics surrounding what designers are placing orders for - ie. 10%
twin, 20% full, 35% queen, 35% king, for example.
|
