I didn't have the chance to go to the fabric expo in LA this Spring since I am 9 months pregnant and taking a short break from my line kangacoo designs. BUT I have a treat for you! My new friend and kindred spirit Dian who recently launched her own children's line has written a guest blog about her trip to the show. Read on as Dian shares photos, vendor names and lots of details that will help YOU source fabric and notions! Be sure to stop by her Facebook page to thank her for this wealth of knowledge!
Hello, I am Dian McManus, founder of Runaway Pony children’s clothing line. I am here to share what I experienced at the LA Textile Fabric Show, which was my first experience as an independent fashion designer.
I walked into the California Mart Center last week with so much excitement. Just like a little girl walking into a huge candy store! I stopped at the entrance and took a deep breath. Actually, I took a few pictures along with my breaths. I asked the security guy (twice that day) to take a few pictures of me. I was about to see tons of fabrics AND I had about three uninterrupted hours all to myself that day in bright daylight! (A luxury to dwell upon when you have little ones and you’re running a business). I had to capture the moment, of course! I thanked my nanny generously that day (and all of those days when I need her).
Hello, I am Dian McManus, founder of Runaway Pony children’s clothing line. I am here to share what I experienced at the LA Textile Fabric Show, which was my first experience as an independent fashion designer.
I walked into the California Mart Center last week with so much excitement. Just like a little girl walking into a huge candy store! I stopped at the entrance and took a deep breath. Actually, I took a few pictures along with my breaths. I asked the security guy (twice that day) to take a few pictures of me. I was about to see tons of fabrics AND I had about three uninterrupted hours all to myself that day in bright daylight! (A luxury to dwell upon when you have little ones and you’re running a business). I had to capture the moment, of course! I thanked my nanny generously that day (and all of those days when I need her).
After spending a few minutes painlessly at the registration desk, I went all the way to the 13th floor and chose the “fabrics” wing first, then “trims” wing last. I was ready to be dizzy with all things gorgeous.
Sparkling colorful silks and cashmeres. Gorgeous endless lace materials. Colorful extraordinary collections of modern prints. Breath-taking, breezy, colorful, soft, it-makes-me-want-to-cuddle-with-my-baby seersucker. I found that my eyes were easily drawn to fabrics that I love for my line, but it was hard not to look at other unique fabrics in each aisle!
I browsed at ease from the beginning to the end. It definitely was not overwhelming at all. Everyone was very nice and friendly. One vendor complimented me on the dress I wore and asked me who made the dress. I couldn’t remember so the lady vendor went around me to see the tag of my dress. Then said, “Marc Jacobs! Gorgeous, no wonder.” Ah. I thanked her, and my dear best friend, who generously gave me the dress a couple years ago;)
I found a vendor with a beautiful lace fabric collection: Spirit Lace Enterprise. The minimum order was not bad: 7 yards, but for lace trims, the minimum was 15 yards. Which I think, in my case, if I were to order from them for a small production of children’s dresses with lace trims, 15 yards would work.
Then across from the lace booth, I found my next supplier of fine cotton, linen and seersucker goodness, imported from Japan and stocked in New York: Philips-Boyne Corporation. They carry high-quality shirting fabric. I was immediately greeted warmly, and in within minutes I had found about a dozen swatches I liked, and put my first order with them on the spot. I found the fabric I had been searching for, and more. They have all that I am always deeply in love with: ginghams, checks, stripes. The minimum is absolutely great: 3 yards. The website says that you get $2 off per yard if you order 15 yards. I just saw this and was not informed when I placed my order so I need to call them tomorrow! I was not given the discount, but their wholesale price is pretty good.
My order just arrived today, as promised by the rep, in time for my new production. The only thing I wish was better from this vendor is their website. It’s a bit old-fashioned and it is hard to find what you need. You would have to go through every single page (there are 100 pages) to look for the fabric you need if you don’t know its SKU number or name. There is no search box! But I am a happy customer regardless J
I found a vendor with a beautiful lace fabric collection: Spirit Lace Enterprise. The minimum order was not bad: 7 yards, but for lace trims, the minimum was 15 yards. Which I think, in my case, if I were to order from them for a small production of children’s dresses with lace trims, 15 yards would work.
Then across from the lace booth, I found my next supplier of fine cotton, linen and seersucker goodness, imported from Japan and stocked in New York: Philips-Boyne Corporation. They carry high-quality shirting fabric. I was immediately greeted warmly, and in within minutes I had found about a dozen swatches I liked, and put my first order with them on the spot. I found the fabric I had been searching for, and more. They have all that I am always deeply in love with: ginghams, checks, stripes. The minimum is absolutely great: 3 yards. The website says that you get $2 off per yard if you order 15 yards. I just saw this and was not informed when I placed my order so I need to call them tomorrow! I was not given the discount, but their wholesale price is pretty good.
My order just arrived today, as promised by the rep, in time for my new production. The only thing I wish was better from this vendor is their website. It’s a bit old-fashioned and it is hard to find what you need. You would have to go through every single page (there are 100 pages) to look for the fabric you need if you don’t know its SKU number or name. There is no search box! But I am a happy customer regardless J
Then I found my next possible supplier: all made-in-USA Premier Prints Fabric that has NO minimum and reasonable prices. They ship from Mississippi. They have gorgeous geometric and floral prints that I love. Great quality. They carry light to heavy weight fabrics that are good for all kinds of productions and projects: from apparel, to bedding, to tote bags! I even got a free cute tote bag.
Next stop was a vendor booth for buttons. I found some cute and also some basic buttons but the minimum was 1000 and they are imported from mostly China.
Before I headed to the other side of the expo, I stopped at a booth that had delicious-looking pom pom trims: Products From Abroad. The products are imported from France but they have a representation in Missouri. I immediately fell in love with some. Low minimum.
There was an LA-based vendor for trims, beaded appliques and lace collars that I liked: Lemortrims (their website is currently under construction). Their office phone number: (213) 741-1646 or email : [email protected]. The staff member named Carlos told me they could source any trim I might need and do any size of collar I want. So I asked for them to give me the prices for a few lace collars. I received their email yesterday. I always appreciate follow-up emails.
I found adorable children-themed fabrics at Michael Miller fabrics booth. Unfortunately, their minimum is pretty high for me at this time. The minimum initial order must be 8 bolts of fabric (15 yards per bolt), so total of 120 yards.
It doesn’t hurt to peek at these cute fabrics though!
I found adorable children-themed fabrics at Michael Miller fabrics booth. Unfortunately, their minimum is pretty high for me at this time. The minimum initial order must be 8 bolts of fabric (15 yards per bolt), so total of 120 yards.
It doesn’t hurt to peek at these cute fabrics though!
Last but not least, I had to share with you these gorgeous designs by an amazing designer Josi Severson. Her water-based inked fabrics are mostly designed for home fashion (I think she mentioned she is also a designer for Crate & Barrel). She also carries soft organic fabrics that can be used for children’s apparel. All of her fabrics are printed in the US. She generously gave me a handful of pretty swatches!
I really had a great time discovering new vendors and meeting some of amazing designers. It was very inspiring and I am so in love with fabrics! And It’s not just because it’s spring time.