When it comes to fabric sourcing for the fashion industry, the process can often be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to navigate. Many companies follow a standard approach to sourcing, but at Evelyn, we’ve taken fabric sourcing to the next level, providing a service that truly goes beyond the ordinary.
Typical Sourcing in the Fashion Industry
In the fashion industry, fabric sourcing usually follows a straightforward process:
- Receiving Material Requirements: A client sends their specifications or a sample fabric they want to replicate or modify.
- Researching Suppliers: Companies typically search for suppliers online through B2B platforms like Alibaba or Made-in-China, or work with an overseas sourcing agent. They may also attend trade shows and exhibitions to connect with potential suppliers.
- Supplier Negotiations: Once a list of suppliers is compiled, they will reach out to several manufacturers to negotiate pricing, production capacity, and lead times.
- Sample Matching: Samples are received and compared against the customer’s requirements.
- Production Order: After selecting the right supplier and confirming the material quality, companies place production orders and arrange for logistics and shipping.
While this method works, it has limitations. Companies relying on third-party sourcing agents or purely digital platforms face challenges in quality control, longer lead times, and inconsistent communication. Additionally, if something goes wrong, there’s a lack of accountability because the company is removed from the physical inspection process.
How Evelyn Does Sourcing Differently
At Evelyn, we’ve built a fabric sourcing process that addresses these limitations and adds value at every stage of the supply chain. Here’s how we go the extra mile to ensure our customers receive the best materials.
Step 1: Technical Fabric Analysis
This analysis provides us with the technical blueprint for what we need to find, ensuring there’s no guesswork involved in the sourcing phase. Whether the fabric is a high-performance sports textile, an eco-friendly organic cotton, or a specific silk blend, we pinpoint the exact characteristics that need to be matched.
By conducting this preliminary analysis, we ensure that the materials we source are as close to perfect as possible, reducing the risk of mismatched fabrics and costly production errors.
Step 2: Hands-On Sourcing – We Go Directly to the Markets
Armed with detailed information from our technician team, our experts can physically go to the markets with the sample fabric in hand. This ensures we match the materials exactly to our client’s specifications. With direct access to manufacturers and suppliers, we eliminate the middlemen and reduce the possibility of communication breakdowns.
We firmly believe that only by being present in the fabric markets can you truly find the exact materials you’re looking for. Our professional sourcing team operates with a “never stop until we find it” mindset, determined to locate fabrics that meet the exact needs of our clients. Not only do we find the perfect match, but we also provide clients with additional fabric options that could further elevate their products.
This dedicated, on-the-ground approach allows us to react faster to urgent requests and negotiate better pricing directly with the suppliers.
Step 3: Our Sourcing Success Story
From a customer’s perspective, Evelyn’s fabric sourcing success story is truly impressive. When working with Evelyn, you’re not just engaging with a sourcing partner; you’re collaborating with a team that is dedicated to uncovering exceptional materials tailored to your needs.
One of the standout features of Evelyn’s approach is their ability to discover over 100+ new fabrics annually. This is not just about adding to your fabric library—it’s about opening up a world of opportunities for your products. With each new fabric, Evelyn provides you with options that can set your offerings apart in the competitive marketplace.
Evelyn’s commitment to quality and innovation means that you benefit from materials that are not only unique but also trendsetting. By consistently introducing new and innovative fabrics, Evelyn helps you stay ahead of industry trends, which can lead to higher sales and more satisfied customers.
Their proactive approach in fabric sourcing means you get access to exclusive materials that aren’t readily available elsewhere. This can be a game-changer for your business, allowing you to offer products that stand out and capture market attention.
Overall, Evelyn’s fabric sourcing success is a testament to their dedication to helping you grow your business with high-quality, innovative materials. Their efforts not only enhance your product range but also build a foundation of trust and reliability, making them an invaluable partner in your business’s success.
Step 4: Our Network of Verified Suppliers
Another key differentiator in our fabric sourcing process is our network of verified suppliers. At Evelyn, we don’t just take a supplier’s word for it—we request and review audit reports like BSCI and Sedex certifications to ensure that every factory we work with has passed the necessary ethical, environmental, and social responsibility checks.
This is crucial for our clients who want to ensure their materials are sourced responsibly, in line with global standards.
Step 5: Post-Sourcing Innovation and Trend Adaptation
Fabric sourcing doesn’t stop after we’ve matched a material. We are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. Our team regularly attends trade shows and keeps up-to-date with market trends, ensuring that we can offer the latest, most sustainable, and high-performance fabrics to our clients.
Whether it’s a new eco-friendly alternative or a cutting-edge performance fabric, we bring new options to the table, giving our clients a competitive edge in their product lines.
Why Evelyn’s Sourcing is the Smart Choice
At Evelyn, fabric sourcing isn’t just about finding a fabric that “works”—it’s about finding the perfect material that meets every technical requirement and adds value to your business.
Through our technical expertise, on-the-ground sourcing team, and commitment to innovation, we ensure our clients receive high-quality, cost-effective, and responsible materials. When you work with Evelyn, you’re not just getting a supplier—you’re getting a partner invested in your success.
In conclusion, Evelyn’s unique approach to fabric sourcing gives us—and our clients—a competitive advantage in the fashion industry. By going beyond the typical digital sourcing process and embracing a hands-on, technically driven approach, we can ensure better quality, faster turnaround times, and more sustainable practices. Whether you’re looking for new and innovative materials or replicating an existing fabric, Evelyn is here to make sure you get exactly what you need.
