Kerri BridgmanIf you’ve ever managed a fashion production cycle, you know how many details go into getting a garment from concept to completion. It’s not just creative — it’s deeply operational.
After years of managing production for designers and fashion brands, I’ve built a list of non-negotiables that I rely on every season. These systems help reduce delays, manage factory relationships, and keep production on time and within budget. All without impeding on a designer’s creative instincts.
Here’s what I never skip in the apparel manufacturing process:
1. Meet With Suppliers and Factories Before Beginning Production
One of the most important steps in fashion production management is meeting directly with suppliers and factories before signing any production agreement.
Email communication only goes so far and face-to-face (or video) meetings allow you to:
- Review capacity for the upcoming season
- Clarify expected timelines and lead times
- Address any potential issues before production starts
These meetings build trust and transparency. Strong factory relationships are the foundation of every successful operation.
2. Know Your Costs Up Front — and Create a Cushion
Every fashion production manager knows unexpected expenses happen: raw material price increases, late shipments, dye lot issues — the list goes on.
That’s why I always build a 10–15% financial cushion into every season’s budget. Confirm all quotes early, and factor in logistics costs before you approve purchase orders, these include tariffs, shipping fees and warehousing.
If the cushion goes unused, that’s great — but if not, you’ll already be protected.
3. Review Previous Season Communication
Before production starts, I always take time to review communication from past seasons. This includes email threads, sample notes, and supplier updates.
Doing this helps identify:
- Which factories communicate clearly
- Where delays or misunderstandings occurred
- How to tailor communication styles for each partner
Every supplier and factory works differently. Adjusting your communication approach ensures smoother collaboration and fewer production errors.
4. Confirm All Materials and Colorways Are Approved
In the apparel production process, color and material consistency are everything.
Before any bulk order begins, I double-check that every fabric, trim, and colorway has been approved — and that digital or physical references are filed in the production management system.
This step ensures the factory isn’t working from outdated samples or memory. It’s small, but it saves thousands in rework and delays.
5. Verify That All Patterns and Corrections Are Understood
Sending a pattern isn’t enough. You have to confirm that your factory has received and understood your corrections.
I often annotate directly in the tech pack, attach photos, or schedule short review calls to clarify updates. The goal is clarity — not micromanagement.
When the production team fully understands your adjustments, you minimize sampling errors and achieve a more accurate final product.
6. Build a Production Calendar That Communicates Clearly
A clear production calendar is the backbone of every successful season.
Mine includes:
- Material and trim delivery dates
- Fit sample due dates
- Final approval deadlines
- Production start and completion milestones
Sharing this timeline with your factory gives both sides visibility and accountability. Everyone understands expectations, which prevents surprises and missed deliveries.
Structure Creates Freedom
Fashion production will always have variables — but having clear systems in place allows creativity to flow without chaos.
My production non-negotiables are simple: organize, optimize & own it.
They protect your time, your money, and your relationships — while helping you bring your designs to life exactly as you envisioned.
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