Made To Order Fashion: Are Made To Order Brands Retail’s Solution?

Reduce financial risk by requiring payment before or during production. Customers are less likely to change orders once they’ve paid. She is passionate about encouraging an approach to sustainability that is inclusive, accessible, and fun as we try to figure out how to create a more sustainable and just world, together. Stella Hertantyo is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and is currently completing her PGDip in Sustainable Development to accompany her undergraduate in Multimedia journalism.

Advantages of made-to-order business models

The made-to-order model works because customers increasingly value customization and are willing to wait for tailored products. This willingness to pay more combined with lower operational costs creates a highly profitable business structure. They attract their customers with brand ethos and perennial styles over convenience and trend-driven designs. Much like Kitri, Valle & Vik doesn’t solely operate as a made-to-order business but does offer the option for special occasions and bespoke pieces. "Our made-to-order model grew organically on the back of an increased demand for special-occasion dressing,"explains the brand’s founder, Silje Vallevik. "By offering an additional bespoke element, our pieces become even more of a long-term investment and ‘forever’ piece." And forever pieces, they are.

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Made to measure, by definition, is “specifically made to fit a particular person or space.” With a made-to-measure piece, the designer and maker is using your specific measurements, as opposed to custom made clothing a predetermined set of measurements. This is common in menswear, with “bespoke” suits, but less common in womenswear, with the exception of couture. Decades and even centuries ago, most of what people wore was made to order, and clients worked closely with tailors to ensure garments fit properly.

Although couture is often seen as an ‘old world’ way of manufacturing, more and more brands are popping up that offer made-to-order and made-to-measure services, seeing the benefits to the bottom line, the environment, and the client. The best example of (haute) couture in action may be the iconic Chanel jacket. Initially designed by Gabrielle Chanel herself, couture jackets take 130 hours of craftsmanship (or craftswomanship) to make.

Customers must clearly specify what they want, and you must deliver exactly that. Systems for managing specifications, revisions, and approvals become critical operational needs. They also offer digital sneaker sculpture workshops where you can learn how to make a sneaker sculpture using your household recycling. The workshop aims to remind people of the value of waste materials and the creativity of working with what you already have. Chelsea Bravo creates sustainably-made elevated basics in rich Earth tones.

• They attract their customers with brand ethos and perennial styles over convenience and trend-driven designs.
• The brand creates beautifully constructed garments that exist outside of trends and seasons, making them timeless pieces that are intended to be a part of your forever wardrobe.
• Jali is a 5 star (independently rated) British family company, with an outstanding environmental record supported by 30 years of innovation.
• "My aim has always been to focus on a more ethical way of working, and I do this in a variety of ways, with the focus being on creating high-quality, timeless garments which can be worn again and again," Molby says.

Potential customers want to see that you can deliver their vision, not that you have inventory. Sene is a brand that believes that our bodies are too diverse for the standard sizing system. Sene is pioneering sizeless clothing with their made-to-measure approach that allows you to order garments that are one-of-a-kind, and made from scratch just for you. All of their garments – including iconic designs like their Gen Dress – are customizable and made-to-order so that each Demestik order fits the wearer like a glove. With smaller scraps of textile waste that they cannot use to make clothing, they create accessories, stationery, and home goods. Their combination of seasonless silhouettes with the unique aesthetic of upcycled post-consumer waste, Doodlage garments are ones to treasure.

You’re not guessing about trends, you’re responding to real demand. This feedback loop helps you optimize product offerings and identify new opportunities. There is something so deeply regal and luxurious about the combinations of colors and patterns.

In addition to their complimentary repairs service, their website includes a comprehensive guide on how best to care for your clothing and mending tutorials. Part of the reason We Are KIN chose to be a made-to-order fashion brand is so that they could be truly size-inclusive and ensure that everyone can feel their best in their clothing. Their core offering includes sizes 6-26, but they also cater to sizes outside of this and can lengthen or shorten to fit as well.