Apparel and textile sector news, articles and research. Global coverage of producers, suppliers, retailers and technologies. Updated daily.
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Over 300 US Industry Profiles helpful for business valuations.
www.firstresearch.com/Industry
Latest annual reports on hundreds of EU and North American companies
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Get & analyze energy/financial data fast for smarter decision making
www.lim.com
Find Market Research & Analysis on the Apparel Industry
MarketResearch.com/Apparel
Microsoft Dynamics AX Textiles, Apparel, and Footwear ERP
www.sunriseconsult.com
The shoe business source for the vendor info, styles & trends.
www.theshoebook.com
Buy software, books, and videos about textiles and apparel.
www.atexinc.com
Create Professional Sketches Digital Fashion Pro Software $199
www.startingaclothingline.com
Get industry overviews, financials, exec bios, news and competitor info
www.Hoovers.com
Access 14 Million Company Profiles With D&B's Quality Information.
www.zapdata.com
Get Company & Employee Information W/Contacts, Title, Phone & Email!
www.Jigsaw.com
A global, quality assurance service laboratory providing consumer products testing, inspection, and consulting services in the areas of toys, textiles, health and beauty, food products, chemical, hard goods, and electronics.
www.actstesting.com
Information and statistics about bar codes, including how to get bar codes for products.
www.adams1.com
Offers online listings for sewn-product production and merchandising. Provides web design and web hosting.
www.apparellink.com
Site dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of beauty in the natural world, in Western culture as well as other cultures both past and present.
www.beautyworlds.com
Dictionary of more than ten thousand words and expressions in four languages (Frnch, Spanish, deutch and English) relating to the textile sector, ranging from the various types of fabrics to the industrial processes applicable to these fabrics a...
www.bemarnet.es
Online directory of children's wear retail stores, wholesale children's wear manufacturers & wholesale children's wear representatives.
www.childsweardirectory.com
Organization promoting private-sector generated economic development primarily in the countries of the Caribbean Basin.
www.claa.org
Information about US Customs, including history, mission, laws, regulations and tariffs, news and links to passport, visa and trvel related sites.
www.customs.ustreas.gov
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Allows a manufacturers' search by name, address, description and phone number.
www.dir.ca.gov
The Educational Resource for Fabrics, Apparel, Home Furnishings and Care.
www.fabriclink.com
Information and on-line marketplace for fashion and beauty industries.
fashionbeauty.com
Non-profit corporation promoting New York City's apparel industry through programs in the areas of marketing and promotions, economic development, street services and improvements and community service.
www.fashioncenter.com
The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, a not-for-profit corporation, was established in 1993 to promote New York City's apparel industry and to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of Manhattan's garment district. Through...
www.fashioncenter.com
Published directory listing brand label names and manufacturers in the women's, men's, children's and accessory markets.
www.fashiondex.com
Fashion report published exclusively on the Internet; womenswear trend and forecasting service offering a close and detailed insight into fashion trends from a unique perspective.
www.fashioninformation.com
A site for information about all things related to the fiber arts icluding conversion charts, knitting patterns, links to guilds and more.
www.fibergypsy.com
Information about sizes, weights, and properties of knitting and weaving yarn.
www.fibergypsy.com
Information about underwire bras including bra facbrics, anatomy and places to buy bras.
www.funhouse.com
Online source for price and statistical data about USA cattle hides.
www.hidemarket.com
Information about clothing labels, including care and fiber content.
www.ianr.unl.edu
India based directory of information focusing on the producing and exporting for products utilized in the production of apparel.
apparel.indiamart.com
Online source for finding suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, designers and retailers of apparel, textiles and accessories. Also offers auctions, B2B links and industry information and resources.
www.infomat.com
Conducts data development, dissemination, research and analysis on international and domestic trade and investment issues to support trade promotion and trade policy responsibilities of Trade Development, International Trade Administration, Depa...
www.ita.doc.gov
Apparel and textile sector news, articles and research. Global coverage of producers, suppliers, retailers and technologies. Updated daily.
Latest News | Latest Research | View Jobs | Email Alerts
www.just-style.com
Dedicated to the fashion of the late 19th and early 20th century, especially to sewing patterns.
www.marquise.de
Information for merchandise technology professionals including space planning, store fixtures, merchandising reports and digital product imaging.
www.merchtech.com
Resource for wholesalers and retailers in the fashion industry, including seasonal fashion, color and trend forecasts and more.
www.mfashions.com
Marketing information options providing a foundation of knowledge on consumer purchasing and behavior on which to develop more effective marketing strategies.
www.npd.com
A book published between 1861 nad 1880 in Germany. Order information is included, as well as graphics and images.
www.siue.edu
International fashion network providing a directory of businesses in the industry and publishing a user-built fashion bible.
www.style-and-fashion.com
Unit of the Clorox Company that assists apparel/textile professionals in understanding and implementing the FTC Care Label Rule.
www.textileaffairs.com
Internet guide to resources and services for the apparel industry for professionals in every aspect of the industry: design, merchandising, product development, production and sales.
www.thealexanderreport.com
Information about US patent classes dealing with civil, textile, transportation and HVAC engineering.
sunsite.unc.edu
Independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides objective trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on US industries and directs actions against certain unfair trade p...
www.usitc.gov
Over 300 US Industry Profiles helpful for business valuations.
www.firstresearch.com/Industry
Latest annual reports on hundreds of EU and North American companies
www.ftannualreports.com
Get & analyze energy/financial data fast for smarter decision making
www.lim.com
Guide to Apparel and Accessories Industry Information
Apparel research is key to launching your own fashion companyThe retail apparel industry is a competitive and sometimes unstable business. Trends are here today and gone tomorrow. So it helps if you equip yourself with as many resources to help you roll with the tide. Here are several tips.
1. Whether you are interested in the accessories industry or apparel, it is important to research your market. Investigate the trends and discover the business side of fashion from the inside out. Research market research companies to determine your demographic.
2. Complete a thorough analysis of the fabrics, hardware and materials you will need so you won't have too much surplus on your hands.
3. Find retail outlets to sell to the apparel industry market.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Prepare for apparel industry success
Utilizing market research data, forecast what your business will look like 1 year to 3 years from now. Take into consideration where you live and customer demand. Not every design is a hit in every city and not every trend sticks around for 3 years, so be flexible while remaining true to your creativity.
I recommend:
Organize your thoughts for execution with a business plan. There are several templates out there to help. Download a free template from Scribd. It does a great job explaining each section. Formatted as a MS Word document, complete your apparel industry market plan and upload it for feedback from the Scribd community. Get great apparel industry resources in pattern making and standard sizing information from Fashiondex. Obtain market research data from Plunkett Research.
Find a manufacturer with apparel and accessories industry resources
The retail apparel industry thrives from the availability to produce unique items in bulk. Research manufacturers will reproduce designs to your specifications at a low price.
I recommend:
Check the apparel industry directory at Apparel Search. The National Register publishes a directory of manufacturers in the apparel and accessories industry. Available in hard cover, CD or online access, this resource is used by Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. In addition, check out the free trial at Selectory where you can research a variety of apparel manufacturers. Find apparel industry news, guides and directories at Apparel or Women's Wear Daily,
Obtain retail space for the apparel industry market
One of the inexpensive ways to obtain retail space is to build a website. With no overhead, showcase a few pieces and sell them online. You don't have to be an expert to build a website. Many computer programs have templates to help you create a simple online experience.
I recommend:
Open a PayPal account for your website. If building a website is too much of a hassle for you, there are online retailers such as ApparelLink that will create and host your website for a small fee. Visit PartnerUp, a database for commercial real estate, and browse what is available in your area if you're wanting a storefront to display your apparel items.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- Remember that customer service is key. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Contingency plans are always beneficial and evaluating new apparel information will help you make quality decisions to help your business grow.
