March 11th, 2015
So you’ve got your business plan, product concepts, and maybe even final samples. Do you ever ask yourself, who is actually doing the…
March 10th, 2015
I began Brooklyn Tweed as a blog for knitters and wool-lovers after my relocation to New York City in 2005. I never dreamed it would grow…
March 8th, 2015
The American manufacturing sector is one of the biggest contributors to job growth (nearly 700,000 added since 2010), research and develop, and is essential to maintaing a thriving and competitive…
March 7th, 2015
Making physical things is hard. Plenty can and will go wrong, so it’s crucial to stay…
March 6th, 2015
The freelance economy and 3D printers have converged to dramatically lower the time and cost associated with creating a new prototype….
March 5th, 2015
T-shirts are durable, classic, and versatile garments with mass appeal as a staple closet item. The life of a T-Shirt begins in cotton…
March 4th, 2015
Retail is an industry driven by results. There isn’t a magic formula, especially since consumer wants and needs change constantly. While…
March 2nd, 2015
As a new designer and business owner, it can be challenging to get all the aspects of your creative, production, and business processes in…
February 27th, 2015
In an era where if you can dream it, you can build it, 3d printing has become one of the most effective ways to quickly design and…
February 26th, 2015
We are excited to partner with Maker’s Row to bring you this four-part series. Over the…
February 24th, 2015
“Should I sell to department stores or boutiques?” This is a common question design entrepreneurs ask. The argument is strong for both…
February 23rd, 2015
There are a lot of “hardest parts” about getting an apparel business off the ground. A lot. Arguably, the single most challenging…
February 19th, 2015
During the depths of the winter, come thoughts of summer, sand and sun. Right after the holidays, swim line development should be starting….
February 16th, 2015
Before I’m a designer, I’m an artisan in love with the traditions, heritage, tools and artistry of a craft that goes back centuries. In many ways, Slightly Alabama’s designs are a…
As an up-and-coming entrepreneur, I founded my business with just $24,000 in startup capital. I stretched it as far as it could go. I’ve…
February 5th, 2015
Trade shows and markets are a great way to stay updated on industry trends and network with other vendors and retailers. As a development…
January 21st, 2015
To diversify, or not to diversify- that is probably not the big question. At least, not for everyone. But for us, a small leather…
January 15th, 2015
Helen Behn started her business based on a need for balancing a busy life and managing chronic back pain. She found that icing her back…
January 13th, 2015
A few months ago, Avantūr was nothing more than an idea. Two friends with a passion for design and a desire to create. Today, Avantūr is…
January 12th, 2015
There’s something about the pairing of the classic baseball hat form with new unique fabrics, that makes an MBS hat really really handsome. The result of this combination is a hat that feels…
December 30th, 2014
Every New Years, people all over the country decide that it’s time to make a change in their lives; be healthier, stop bad habits, spend…
December 29th, 2014
As a designer, it’s easy to get hyper-focused on the creative side of your brand. Where is this pocket going to go? What weight…
December 23rd, 2014
When I first set out to develop and launch Najla, an ethical intimate apparel label, my goal was to have as much of the debut collection as possible sourced and made in the United States….
December 20th, 2014
This subject of this post may sound mundane, but I promise you that it is incredibly useful: how to get organized during your manufacturing…
November 25th, 2014
The holidays are hectic. Whatever industry you’re in, whatever position you have, this time of year always turns into a juggling act….
November 23rd, 2014
The next few months are full of excitement, preparation, vacations, increased sales, increased production and some stress! So all of us…
November 18th, 2014
On Maker’s Row, factories are categorized into 5 segments: Ideation, Pattern-Making, Materials, Sample Making and Production. Just as the term ‘factories’ categorizes many different…
November 17th, 2014
Samples are single products which are sent from a manufacturer or supplier to a designer or brand to represent the size, look and quality of the products they will receive if they place a full…
November 13th, 2014
Just like relationships with your customers, the relationship you have with your manufacturer can make or break your company. A strong…
November 12th, 2014
Having designed and produced for numerous new active wear brands over the past 7 years, we have learned an enormous amount of what it…
November 9th, 2014
Before I became an interior designer, I enjoyed a long career as a commercial photographer specializing in home furnishing, still life and food. Those skills are really handy to have, even though I…