Do you need an Agent or a Product Development Manager?

Written By Karen Yakymishen

And what’s the difference?

When launching or growing a fashion brand, it’s crucial to understand who you’re hiring and what kind of support they offer. Two roles often confused are the Agent and the Product Developer.

Here's a simple breakdown to help you better understand the two.

Product Developer / Product Development Manager (PDM)

Focus

  • Manages the product from idea conception to final production.

Scope of Work

  • Product strategy

  • Tech pack review, possibly also creation of tech pack(s)

  • Sample development and tracking

  • Fabric and trim sourcing

  • Fit and size comments

  • Managing timelines and production steps

  • Communication between brand and supplier

Involvement Level

  • Deep involvement, hands-on in development decisions.

Who Is It For

  • Brands needing an industry professional to manage the end-to-end execution of product styles, from concept to launch, while ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards, and product specifications.

Deliverables

  • Development calendars, sourcing reports, fit feedback, production-ready files, DPP compliance tracking, history of products, factory verification.

  • Brands who need help building a strong, production-ready product (startups, scaling brands).

Relationship

  • A strategic partner to the brand, guiding every step of development.

Agent

Focus

  • Connects the brand to factories / suppliers.

Scope of Work

  • Factory introductions

  • Email handover

  • General guidance

  • Liaison between brand and supplier

Involvement Level

  • Light-touch support, often hands-off after introductions.

Who Is It For

  • Brands who need a trusted industry professional to keep an eye on production, facilitate communication with factories, and help ensure things stay on track without managing the full development process.

Deliverables

  • Contact lists, introduction emails, follow-ups.

Relationship

  • Facilitates industry connections based on your trusted network.

Not sure which you need when it’s time to produce your fashion collection?

Start with a quick discovery call, and I’ll guide you based on where you’re at.

BOOK A CALL
BOOK A CALL
Karen Yakymishen

Franky Dune is a fashion production and product development agency overseeing the full journey from development through to production. We ensure creative intent is translated into commercially viable, production-ready garments.

We operate as an extension of your internal team and lead supplier relationships, aligning capacity and timelines, and bringing clear structure and communication across the supply chain.

We work with established and scaling brands that value clear processes, accountability and long-term production partnerships.

Based in Porto, we provide direct access to Portugal’s top fabric mills and manufacturing partners.

https://www.frankydune.com/
Previous

The Factories are Closing, Now What?
Next

Does High Grade Polyester Exist?