Where Do Designers Get Their Fabric?

Think about it: you are a designer with a brilliant concept for your next collection. Your sketches are ready, the mood board is flawless, and the vision is clear in your mind. However, there’s one crucial step that stands between you and bringing those designs to life: finding the perfect fabric. So, how do you even begin? Ever wondered where top designers find those luxurious silks, durable cotton or new-age sustainable fabrics that make their garments stand out? 

Well, whether you are a new designer who is just starting their venture, or you have been in the industry for years, it’s a question every designer faces at some point. However, the good news is there are plenty of ways to find the ideal fabric that suits your design vision. From wholesale suppliers and textile mills to local markets and even online platforms, designers can explore a wealth of options for tracking down that perfect material. How? Well, here’s a guide to begin with! 

#1 Wholesale Fabric Suppliers: The Bulk Option

 

This is the go-to option for many designers. Especially if you have a private label brand that’s working on larger collections, or you want to establish a coherent brand image by creating garments that require specific fabrics in bulk, wholesale suppliers are the way to go. 

They deal in large quantities, which makes wholesale suppliers an excellent choice for designers who have bigger production needs. 

• Why Wholesale?

So, designers mostly choose wholesale suppliers because wholesalers often offer significant discounts when designers buy something in large quantities. The major drawback is that minimum order quantities (MOQs) can be high, and sometimes designers have to buy hundreds or even thousands of yards. So, if you are starting out, this can be a hefty investment, but if you are producing at scale, this can be a smart financial move. 

Fortunately, there are also wholesale fabric-supplying brands like Fabriclore that can offer fabrics in bulk at low MOQs, so even when you are setting up a new designer brand and need limited yards of fabric, you can still get fabrics at wholesale prices. 

• Where to Find Them?

You can find Fabriclore online! Let’s face it, finding the right wholesale supplier in a sea of fabric-sourcing brands is like finding the treasure chest in a scavenger hunt. However, thanks to technology, now you can find the best quality fabrics at wholesale prices with Fabriclore. 

• Pro Tip:

When you are dealing with wholesale brands, always request samples before making a bulk purchase. Often the fabric colours, texture, and weights can look different in person than they do on a screen or a catalogue, and especially if you are customising the fabric, the result can be slightly different than what you have in mind. So, always request custom samples. 

#2 Textile Mills: Direct from the Source

 

For designers looking for exclusive or custom fabrics, sourcing directly from textile mills can be an excellent option. Textile mills are where the magic happens – they produce fabrics from raw materials like cotton, wool, or synthetic fibres. However, the only issue is that you might not get authentic mills that actually offer high-quality fabrics that you need. So, yes finding textile mills is quite a task. 

• The Benefits of Sourcing Mills

Working directly with mills allows you to customise the fabric to your exact specifications. Want a unique pattern or a particular thread count? Mills can often accommodate these requests, especially for designers producing higher-end or luxury garments.

• Popular Mills and Locations

Italy is world-renowned for its high-quality textile mills, particularly for wool and silk. India and China, on the other hand, dominate the global market for cotton and synthetic fabrics. If sustainability is a priority, many mills in Europe and the US are now offering eco-friendly options, using organic materials and cleaner production processes. However, you can also find eco-friendly fabrics in your own country, or varieties like silk, cotton, etc., but finding their authentic variant is a task that you can accomplish with the aid of wholesalers.

• Pro Tip:

Building relationships with mills can give you access to exclusive fabrics and better pricing.

#3 Fabric Trade Shows: The Networking Hubs

 

Trade shows are treasure troves for designers seeking new and innovative fabrics. These events bring together fabric manufacturers, mills, and suppliers from around the world, offering designers a first-hand look at the latest trends in textiles.

• Why Attend a Fabric Trade Show?

Trade shows allow you to explore a wide variety of fabrics all in one place, from luxurious silks to high-performance sports textiles. Plus, you can meet directly with suppliers, negotiate prices, and even discover emerging technologies in fabric production, such as smart textiles or sustainable innovations.

• Pro Tip:

Before attending a trade show, research the exhibitors to prioritise who you want to meet. Make a plan to maximise your time and leave room for unexpected discoveries.

Looking for High-Quality Fabrics?

Find them at Fabriclore today! The entire process from sourcing to production is tech-enabled and you can get bespoke print design. Fabriclore is trusted by over 400 private labels globally and we deliver fully customised fabric at low MOQ. You can select from pre-sourced and certified fabrics in 300+ varieties of cellulose, cotton, silk, polyester and more. 

You can choose from our constantly evolving catalogue of thousands of prints or customise your design. Besides, our latest technology also allows you to see prints on life-like models and you can also request custom swatches before buying in bulk, so the sampling cycle is relatively shorter. 

Opt for traditional dyeing and printing processes like hand block printing that includes Indigo, ajrak, kalamkari, dabu, bagh, rapid, and more. You can also opt for screen printing, digital printing and other dyeing options under one roof with our proprietary QA process. 

Besides, our in-house testing and inspection unit can analyse 20+ defects and we also conduct tests for colour fastness, shrinkage and other defects, so you get flawless fabrics in every order. Want to discover our pattern library, or place an order? Visit our website, or contact our team of experts directly!