How to select the right supplier as an emerging fashion label

“Product is everything – you can have the best branding and the best marketing but if the product isn’t there, then you don’t have a business.”

As a publication with a focus on up-and-coming Australian creatives, Fashion Journal often hosts conversations with emerging fashion designers. In the multitude of interviews I’ve conducted over the last few years, there’s a noticeable common theme. For new designers and those kickstarting their own fashion label, the hardest part lies (more often than not) in logistics. 

It makes sense. Creative types aren’t usually analytically inclined, and the nitty-gritty parts of the fashion business can be difficult to grasp as a newcomer – just ask entrepreneur, strategist and co-founder of In the Roundhouse, Alyce Tran. The daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, she grew up on a fruit farm in the Adelaide Hills. After moving to Sydney to pursue law, she co-founded an accessories label called The Daily Edited with a former co-worker, Tanya Liu.

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The fledgling label, which offered monogrammed leather goods, eventually exploded to a $30m luxury accessories brand. While Alyce has since stepped away from The Daily Edited, the experience taught her invaluable lessons about business, scale and the importance of suppliers. As an ambassador of the upcoming China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo, Alyce – alongside a selection of other industry professionals – will be sharing the latest insights and knowledge in fashion, trends, sustainability, sourcing and supply chain.

If you’re a small fashion business owner or a designer thinking about launching your own label, China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo is a must-attend. Held in Sydney from June 12 to 14, the event will offer a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with and access hundreds of exhibitors under one roof. As a preview of what’s to come, here Alyce shares her top tips for emerging designers searching for the right supplier.

What are some of the initial factors an emerging label should consider when looking for a new supplier?

Price, quality, minimum order quantities and timelines for production that the supplier can achieve are definitely the biggest factors in selecting a supplier. It is great to have [the] goals, timelines and budgets you have for your business well thought-out before starting this process, as there are so many options for suppliers in the consumer goods vertical that you can get lost in it all!

Where should business owners start looking for new suppliers?

Expos are definitely a great way to search for suppliers and see the quality of their products and the breadth of everything that is out there. It’s always great to see product samples in real life!

What role does a supplier play in a healthy supply chain?

A supplier is the supply chain, if you don’t have a good relationship with a supplier then the supply chain breaks down, and you can’t meet the needs of your customers.

Once a supplier is locked in, how can business owners start scaling and growing their production?

Sharing your forecasts [with your supplier] can help them organise things on their side. If you have a high-growth business, sometimes a good supplier will pick up on that if you have increased your volumes and order frequency, and pivot to support that. 

Other times that needs to be communicated. For example, if you think you are going to experience a big spike and need to replenish ASAP, then let them know ASAP so they can staff accordingly or purchase raw materials in advance so you are not caught out!

What does a healthy supplier relationship look like?

Ideally, you want to find someone who acts as essentially one of your business partners. Product is everything – you can have the best branding and the best marketing but if the product isn’t there, then you don’t have a business.

Are there any other factors to consider?

I would definitely look at the size of the supplier… if they are really big, think about what they can do for you. Will they prioritise your business, or will their larger clients take precedence? I would look at the integrity of the organisation. How long has it been around for? Do they know their suppliers well?