It is common practice among new fashion designers to purchase fabrics from retail suppliers with a wide variety of options. Walking into these stores can feel like going on a shopping spree, with countless colours, textures, and fabric constructions to choose from. In Cape Town, many such stores are located in the city centre, conveniently positioned near small-scale manufacturers and fashion students. These stores not only stock fabrics but also trims, which include all the other inputs needed to create garments—items like thread, buttons, drawstring, elastic, fusing, etc, and tools such as scissors and bobbins.
While these shops may seem like Santa’s warehouse for budding designers, they are not the best places to source the most valuable part of your garment: the fabric itself. Here’s why.
The Downside of Buying Fabrics from Retail Shops
These fabric shops often purchase job lots, which are leftover fabrics from cancelled orders or fabrics with minor faults. While this allows for a wide variety of fabrics at potentially lower prices, there are significant downsides to consider.
Limited Quantities: One major issue is the limited quantity of fabrics available. If one of your designs becomes popular and you need to fulfil large orders, you may find that the fabric is no longer available. This can lead to inconsistencies in your product line and can be a significant setback for your brand.
Quality Concerns: Another concern is the quality of these fabrics. In my experience, fabrics from these shops can have issues with colour fastness, shrinkage, twisting, shading, and even holes in the middle of the rolls. These flaws can compromise the quality of your garments and negatively affect your brand’s reputation.
Given these challenges, it’s clear that relying on retail fabric shops can be risky for designers looking to build a sustainable fashion brand.
The Benefits of Buying from a Wholesale Supplier
To ensure consistency and quality in your designs, it’s best to source your fabrics from a wholesale supplier. Here’s why:
Guaranteed Stock: Wholesale suppliers offer large quantities of fabric, ensuring you can fulfil large orders if one of your designs becomes a cash cow. You won’t have to worry about running out of fabric mid-production.
Consistency of Quality: Wholesalers provide fabrics that have undergone rigorous quality control. You can expect consistency in colour, texture, and overall quality, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your brand.
How to Identify a True Fabric Wholesaler
Finding a reliable fabric wholesaler is essential for your business. Here’s how to identify one:
Ask for a Catalogue: A reputable wholesaler will have a detailed catalogue of their fabrics. They may provide a physical catalogue or offer one online.
Check the Catalogue Details: The catalogue should include a reference number for each fabric, its weight, colour range, and, if it’s a physical catalogue, a fabric swatch. This level of detail indicates that the supplier is serious about their products and can consistently provide what you need.
Conclusion
While fabric shops may offer a tempting variety of options, they come with significant risks, particularly for designers looking to build a successful brand. By sourcing your fabrics from a reliable wholesale supplier, you can ensure consistency, quality, and availability—key factors that contribute to the long-term success of your fashion business.
