As the fashion industry grows, so does the demand for new and innovative fashion collections. This has led many brands to explore new ways of producing and constructing their garments, including moving some or all of their production overseas. While there are many benefits to outsourcing garment construction, a few potential drawbacks are also here.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of remote construction and production in the fashion industry.
Fashion Collections Remote Construction and Production
In today’s fashion landscape, more and more brands opt to produce and handle their collections remotely. There are several reasons for this shift, but the most critical factor is the increasing cost of producing clothing domestically. By producing overseas, brands can take advantage of lower labor costs and shorter lead times. In addition, producing remotely gives brands greater flexibility in design and experimentation.
Without adhering to traditional production methods, brands are free to experiment with new materials and silhouettes. As a result, remote production has allowed for a more experimental and liberated approach to fashion design. Thanks to these benefits, it’s likely that we’ll see even more fashion brands opting for remote production in the years to come.
The Pros of Remote Construction and Production
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced fashion designers to rapidly adapt to a new reality. For many, that has meant moving away from traditional in-person runway shows and toward remote production of their collections. While this shift may seem like a small change, it heralds a much larger shift in the fashion industry as a whole. By embracing remote production, designers can reach a much wider audience and connect with potential customers in new and innovative ways.
Here are some pros of remote production and construction in the fashion industry:
● Designers can work from anywhere in the world, which opens up opportunities for collaborations with other designers based in different parts of the globe.
● There is no need to rent or purchase a physical space to produce collections which helps brands save on warehousing expenses.
● Remote production eliminates the need for travel, resulting in reduced environmental impact and less work stress.
● Collections can be released more frequently, as designers are not limited by production schedules and can focus better.
● Designs can be easily shared and updated online, allowing for greater flexibility and collaboration when there are no geographical restrictions.
● Social media platforms provide a direct connection between designers and consumers, resulting in feedback that can shape future collections.
● Connecting with other creatives online can lead to new opportunities when fashion collections are prepared in remote production facilities.
● Online design tools make it easy to produce and share designs with others, resulting in better brand awareness and marketing.
● The online design community is growing, providing support and networking opportunities for designers.
Designers who work remotely can enjoy many benefits, including increased flexibility, decreased expenses, and a reduced environmental impact. So, switching to remote production for fashion collections can be rewarding for any brand if it plans the whole process through.
The Cons of Remote Construction and Production
Fashion brands that produce their garments in remote facilities face several challenges. Perhaps the most significant challenge is ensuring that workers are paid a fair wage. Many remote production facilities are located in countries with low labor costs, leading to brands taking advantage of workers.
Sure, remote production and construction can save fashions brands a good chunk of money, but it’s not always foolproof. Here are some disadvantages remote production fashion brands can face:
● Designers may not be able to get a feel of the latest fashion trends because of remote production.
● When the stock is produced remotely, it can be difficult for the designers to accurately assess fit and quality.
● The fashion brand’s ability to oversee production processes is limited. That’s why fashion brands must carefully consider the challenges and impact of producing their garments in remote facilities.
● In some cases, remote production facilities are located in countries with lax environmental and safety regulations. This can put workers at risk of exposure to harmful chemicals or dangerous working conditions.
● Language barriers can create communication difficulties during remote production and designing.
● The owner of the fashion collections may not have established relationships with fabric and trim suppliers, resulting in ambiguity.
Designers who work overseas may face some challenges that those who work domestically do not. For example, they may not be as familiar with the latest fashion trends, making it difficult to design on-trend garments. Therefore, considering both sides of the coin is essential when talking about remote production of fashion collections. What works for one brand can be counterproductive for others, so it’s better to onboard a smart service like BFF to ensure your brand’s remote production goes by smoothly.
Things to Consider Before Switching to Remote Production Facilities
There are a few things to consider when thinking about producing fashion collections in remote facilities.
First, is the quality of the facility up to par? You don’t want your garments coming back looking like they were made in a home economics class.
Second, are the people working in the facility qualified and skilled enough to produce high-quality garments? Even if the facility itself is top-notch, it won’t matter if the people working there are not.
Third, what is the turnaround time? Even if the quality is good and the workers are skilled, you still need to consider how long it will take for your garments to be produced. In fashion, timing is everything. If you can’t get your garments delivered timely, it can be a huge blowout for your business.
If you take care of these factors, relying on remote production will be easier and more rewarding for your brand. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about any of these points while working with Branding Flash Fashion because our production process is par excellence.
Final Thoughts
The move to remote production facilities by fashion brands is an interesting development. This approach has some potential benefits, including lower costs, greater flexibility, and easier access to skilled labor. However, there are also some risks associated with this strategy, including increased lead times and transportation costs. Ultimately, whether or not this trend will continue will likely depend on how well it performs in practice. Time will tell whether fashion brands are able to successfully navigate the challenges associated with remote production facilities or they’re better off with local production factories.
