Fashion brands looking for a clothing manufacturer online often fail to see the forest for the trees. There is a huge offer and at the same time it is unclear how reliable the parties are. Many brands get stuck on Google and find many new friends on LinkedIn with euphonious promises that mostly cannot be fulfilled.
Men of Orange supports these companies by arranging contacts with one or more manufacturers. Co-owner Eefje Witvoet: “But you have to have a plan, know exactly what the brand stands for and know how to sell it, otherwise it will remain a flash in the pan.”
Together with Koen Ellerbeck, Witvoet owns Men of Orange, a company that connects brands with premium clothing manufacturers. Thanks to their many years of work as main buyers and senior product developers at various Dutch fashion houses, they have a large network at their disposal. In their showrooms in Heemstede, they help brands find the right partner.
How do I find a clothing manufacturer?
When brands introduce themselves, Ellerbeck and Witvoet first talk to them. Is the design in the idea stage just in the head of the entrepreneur or has it already been worked out in writing? What kind of product is it actually? What quantities? What is the budget? Which fabric should be used?
Witvoet: “We work it out together so that a briefing is created that a factory can do something with. The fit and sizes must also be determined. We can assist in preparing these documents if required. Of course, some brands already have it.”
Asia, South America, North Africa or even Europe
Only when it is clear what a brand wants can Ellerbeck and Witvoet find a suitable manufacturer. “If someone has a very small premium brand at the moment, Portugal is often a suitable choice. The quality of the clothing there is high and large quantities do not have to be purchased immediately. As soon as large numbers are involved, the Far East is much cheaper. They are also more prepared for large quantities there,” explains Ellerbeck.
However, production in Asia is not the best solution for every label. There are still a number of factors brands need to consider. “The disadvantage of Asia is of course that you can’t just drive there for a short time, especially not at the moment. As a brand, you actually want to know how your own products are made. Also, the transportation time is longer and the additional cost is higher. Import duties also have to be taken into account.”
Witvoet adds: “Brands often make a conscious decision to produce closer to their own location in order to leave a smaller ecological footprint.”
Establish a successful fashion label
If you want to be successful as a new fashion brand, think carefully about your sales strategy, emphasize Ellerbeck and Witvoet. Ellerbeck: “Do you only sell through your own webshop or will it be a wholesale brand? If you choose to work with a third party, you need to factor in a margin when pricing.”
Many young entrepreneurs are also not aware that they have to finance the collections in advance. “Take into account that you always have to pay 30 to 50 percent of the invoice when the order is confirmed and the remaining amount before the collections are shipped,” says Ellerbeck. “And already thinking about a second and third collection. You have to be financially aware that while you’re busy with the first collection, you’re already financing the second while the sales from the first collection aren’t yet available to you.”
Since the costs vary greatly depending on the brand and depend on many factors, Men of Orange always creates an individual offer. Visit for more information or to make an appointment www.menoforange.nl