SFD 015: How to Get Factories to Take You Seriously

Kathleen Fasanella is author of one of the fashion industry’s best resource books, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen is a trained pattern maker with almost 4 decades of experience, and now owns a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this interview, she shares why speaking the right language can help factories and vendors take you seriously, how to make sure your production stays on track so you don’t get bumped out of line, and why designing isn’t always as glamorous as it can seem.

You will learn:

• Less expensive and more effective alternatives to FIT or FIDM for technical design
• Why you may be more technically inclined than you think (hint: if you can sew, you are)
• The difference between a manufacturer and a sewing contractor
• How speaking the right language will help suppliers take you seriously
• Why you should only produce one style with a new factory
• The realities of being a designer, and why it’s not as glamorous as you think
• How to make sure your production stays on track and you don’y get bumped out of line for a bigger order

Guest Info & Resources:

• Kathleen's Website: Fashion Incubator
• Kathleen's Book: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing
• El Centro College (Dallas)
• Seattle Community College
• LA Trade Tech

Looking for more resources?

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