Fabric sourcing and connecting with garment manufacturers on day two of Modtissimo trade show in Porto Portugal with Karen Yakymishen from Franky Dune Sustainable Fashion Resources and Sourcing Agency.

Today is the second and last day of the Modtissimo’s 60th trade show here in Portugal. The Modtissimo fashion trade show is a full event with the typical talks from high-level speakers, gorgeous pieces designed by Portuguese fashion designers made with the upcoming fabric lines displayed at the entrance to the trade show.

Was it a challenge? It was. If you are putting your all into your fashion brand to make it a sustainable business, meaning a business that you can make enough to live on, do the same with building a community around you to help support, encourage, and lend an ear when you need. Because it will be a challenge.

Deadstock fabric is leftover fabric that comes in a variety of ranges, from natural fabrics like linen, to polyester lace. There are several different reasons why deadstock exists. When fabric is around unsold or unused for too long it is considered deadstock fabric. Errors can occur during the manufacturing process….

Are you making a vision board this year? Creating a vision board helps keep you focused and is a mindful process to plan out the year you want to achieve.

Avoid the stress of mall shopping and headache of ordering online by shopping at local Christmas markets. Support independent brands and small businesses.

Can leather be sustainable? Does leather have a place in the world of sustainability?

At this point, I decided to turn my own personal contacts, my little black book if you will, that I have grown and curated over the years to create Franky Dune Sustainable Fashion Resources as a way to help fashion designers find and source fabric suppliers that offer low minimum order quantities (MOQ) quickly and easily. 

How to have a sustainable fashion brand when everyone is sh***ing on the sustainability movement.

Recently I read a post from an agency that helps designers connect with suppliers. Now this agency is incredibly helpful to many and rightfully so.

However, I was struck by the information I read on her take on how to reach out to suppliers. “Do not ask suppliers what their minimum order quantities (or MOQS) are in the first email.”

What?