Changing the clothing industry

Doer

Hi guys,


For a long time I felt powerless due to the circumstances of the clothing industry but now I'm thinking of starting my own clothing label to make an actual change. I always thought it was impossible but why would it be? I might not have the money or the expertise but the people who did failed to improve the industry in a way me and many other people would satisfy. So now I'm looking to start my own label and I don't want any dirt on my clothes. From cotton to production to transport.


But here is the problem. I have searched quite a bit but still don't know what to do after I've done my market research. I'm determined to make it work but I need some guidance, however I don't have the money to hire someone with expertise.

Stevie_Palimo

You posted already to which I answered as well as per below :-

Wont happen clothing is one of the hardest games to be in and the very few ethical clothing firms along the lines of the above make next to no money and have to spend vast amounts of money getting noticed, Back to the drawing board for another idea I suggest.

Are you now going to post a link for the Company you are claiming is being set up ?

Doer

I've posted the first one in the wrong section.

That's what everyone thinks but it's possible as long as you believe in it and get the right contacts. I will take a long time, lots of efforts and money but I will get there. I have nothing to lose, still a student.

I dont have a link as I haven't started any company yet.

Stevie_Palimo

Doer wrote: »

I've posted the first one in the wrong section.

That's what everyone thinks but it's possible as long as you believe in it and get the right contacts. I will take a long time, lots of efforts and money but I will get there. I have nothing to lose, still a student.

I dont have a link as I haven't started any company yet.

I guarantee you that you will not make money from this and as for lot's of money then yes it will take that and plenty more. No such thing as a ethical clothing brand that makes a profit, The only ones that do are the ones that buy from Asian sweat shops in massive volumes at 1p a top and sell at £5.00.

Doer

Could you name some of the ethical clothing brands? Would love to see what makes them different from the brands who call themselves ethical just to score marketing points.

I do there is a market for ethical clothing as long the prices dont increase too much, as customer I have been looking for fair clothes but except for fair trade didnt find much. And not just me but quite a few I know are struggling with it.

Stevie_Palimo

Doer wrote: »

Could you name some of the ethical clothing brands? Would love to see what makes them different from the brands who call themselves ethical just to score marketing points.

I do there is a market for ethical clothing as long the prices dont increase too much, as customer I have been looking for fair clothes but except for fair trade didnt find much. And not just me but quite a few I know are struggling with it.

I'm not doing your research for you and again will point this is doomed to fail but if you choose to ignore this and carry on with your plan I'd love to hear from you in 5 years time and if by some way of a miracle you have made any money out of this I will donate a sum of money to a charity of choice.

zeupater

Hi

The problem here is that there's a difference between manufacturing and retail, so you really have a number of options ... either be an ethical retailer sourcing in an ethical way --or-- attempt vertical integration of manufacture and retail. There is a third option of being the ethical manufacturer, but continued existence is then completely in the hands of the retailers, who are normally extremely cost and margin sensitive and likely to change supplier for even the smallest advantage.

Probably the most ethical way of achieving what you are attempting is to simply to source according to principles which are considered be more 'ethical' in some way than your competitors ... that could be through ensuring the workers in the supply chain are both paid more and work in better conditions than those used by other retailers, in which case you need to accept lower margins or sell at a premium price.

There are a number of major volume retailers who have attempted the 'ethical' or 'local supply' approach, only to be wooed to the 'dark side' by the odd profit warning ....

HTH
Z

1961Nick

Just one question......How are you going to monitor the supply chain 24/7?

Production of the raw materials & the manufacturing would have to be done offshore to stand the remotest chance of a competitive price point. The moment you turned your back, the 'ethical' suppliers that you carefully selected would just sub-contract the work to the cheapest outworker.

Doer

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

I'm not doing your research for you and again will point this is doomed to fail but if you choose to ignore this and carry on with your plan I'd love to hear from you in 5 years time and if by some way of a miracle you have made any money out of this I will donate a sum of money to a charity of choice.

I'll go for that

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

The problem here is that there's a difference between manufacturing and retail, so you really have a number of options ... either be an ethical retailer sourcing in an ethical way --or-- attempt vertical integration of manufacture and retail. There is a third option of being the ethical manufacturer, but continued existence is then completely in the hands of the retailers, who are normally extremely cost and margin sensitive and likely to change supplier for even the smallest advantage.

Probably the most ethical way of achieving what you are attempting is to simply to source according to principles which are considered be more 'ethical' in some way than your competitors ... that could be through ensuring the workers in the supply chain are both paid more and work in better conditions than those used by other retailers, in which case you need to accept lower margins or sell at a premium price.

There are a number of major volume retailers who have attempted the 'ethical' or 'local supply' approach, only to be wooed to the 'dark side' by the odd profit warning ....

HTH
Z

Thank you for your reply. I'm hoping to be both the manufacturer and retailer. I know that's going to be hard but that's what I'm going for right now. If there is now way I can pull that off I'll probably look for the top ethical suppliers in that area.

1961Nick wrote: »

Just one question......How are you going to monitor the supply chain 24/7?

Production of the raw materials & the manufacturing would have to be done offshore to stand the remotest chance of a competitive price point. The moment you turned your back, the 'ethical' suppliers that you carefully selected would just sub-contract the work to the cheapest outworker.

My plan is to go there multiple times a year to insure everything is going the way I want it to. Also, I want to have my own contact there.

Stevie_Palimo

Quote:


Originally Posted by Stevie Palimo View Post

I'm not doing your research for you and again will point this is doomed to fail but if you choose to ignore this and carry on with your plan I'd love to hear from you in 5 years time and if by some way of a miracle you have made any money out of this I will donate a sum of money to a charity of choice.


I'll go for that


Must be a roi on the money you outlay though.

1961Nick

Doer wrote: »

I'll go for that




My plan is to go there multiple times a year to insure everything is going the way I want it to. Also, I want to have my own contact there.

Have you any idea just how many components/processes go into making an article of clothing? You would need a small army of inspectors scattered all over the globe to ensure that every part of the process was ethical.

Yarn
Knitting/weaving
dying
Sewing thread
Linings
Interlinings
Buttons
Press studs
Hooks/eyes
Velcro
Zips
Labels
Embroidery
Elastics
Tapes
Bindings
Cords
Bags
Boxes

I could probably treble that list with a bit more thought.:eek: