organization and operation of women's apparel industry

As the apparel industry transitions into a larger-scale operation, adjusting production facilities is not a simple task. Unlike the past where one could launch an apparel venture with minimal investment and a hope for rapid success, such occurrences have become rare today. The women's apparel sector has been influenced by corporate mergers, yet some operational elements have remained constant.

The industry's producers have increasingly become specialized in their production processes. It is important to note that not every apparel manufacturer engages in all steps required to create finished products. Every selling season necessitates the development of innovative lines or collections that showcase various styles and designs, adapting to the evolving trends and customer preferences. Understanding the organization within this industry is critical for success.

Types of Producers

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Within the fashion apparel landscape, there are three principal categories of producers: manufacturers, jobbers, and contractors. Manufacturers are comprehensive producers responsible for every stage of apparel production—from fabric acquisition to the sale and delivery of the completed garments. In contrast, an apparel jobber specializes in design, planning, purchasing, cutting, selling, and shipping, but typically does not engage in the actual sewing. Contractors play a supportive role, serving primarily as sewing service providers, sometimes referred to as outside shops.

Manufacturer

Manufacturers encompass the entire garment production process. Their team will create original designs or acquire acceptable designs from freelance creators. Company executives are tasked with planning each seasonal line, while fabric and trimming purchases are also managed internally. The company’s production facilities typically handle cutting and sewing, though, in peak times or under tight deadlines, manufacturers may outsource sewing to contractors to ensure timely delivery.

Apparel Jobbers

Jobbers oversee every aspect of garment production, excluding the actual sewing which is sometimes not included in their services. Some jobber firms have dedicated design teams to produce seasonal lines or purchase designs from independent designers. However, they outsource the actual sewing process to contracted factories, thereby streamlining their production workflow while maintaining design oversight.

Contractors

Focusing mainly on the sewing segment, contractors specialize in one core aspect of garment production. They may also engage in cutting if provided with patterns from jobbers or manufacturers. Contractors are essential for producers lacking sewing capabilities or facing demand that exceeds their existing production abilities. Manufacturers supply cut pieces for contractors, who, for a predetermined fee per garment, sew, complete, and return the finished products ready for retail distribution.

Size of Producers

Historically, many women's apparel firms were relatively small-scale operations. However, the last two decades have witnessed the emergence of larger apparel corporations.

Specialization by Product

Women's apparel firms have traditionally been classified based on apparel type, size ranges, and price zones. A growing number of companies are now diversifying their product lines beyond established price points and categories. Nonetheless, both producers and retail buyers continue to prioritize product specialization in their operational strategies.

Categories

The traditional categories of women's apparel include: Outerwear encompasses coats, suits, rainwear, and jackets. Dresses consist of both one-and two-piece designs, including ensembles like a dress with a coordinating jacket. Sportswear and separates cover a variety of styles, such as casual clothing, swimwear, and activewear, alongside sweaters, skirts, and pant-suits. After-five and evening wear includes formal attire, bridal wear, and dressy blouses.

Additionally, uniforms and aprons may comprise house dresses and certain professional attire, while maternity wear accounts for another distinctive category. Size categories are categorized into even-numbered half sizes ranging from 12 to 26 and straight sizes spanning from 36 to 52.

Wholesale Price Zones

The pricing landscape for women's apparel is wide-ranging, influenced primarily by the quality of materials, craftsmanship, and labor. Consequently, distinct price zones have developed within the market, catering to varying consumer demographics.

Typically, the industry divides women's apparel into four price zones:

Designer—comprising high-end items, often termed the prestige market; Better—offering medium to high pricing; Moderate—covering medium pricing; Budget—reflecting lower costs frequently aligned with promotional or mass-market strategies.

Merchandising and Marketing Activities

In the women's apparel sector, most producers prefer to sell directly to retail stores rather than utilizing intermediaries. To promote their products effectively, these producers direct marketing efforts toward both retailers and consumers through various avenues such as advertising, publicity, and promotional support for retail partners.

Advertising

Advertising in women's fashion often highlights the producer's brand. While the apparel manufacturing industry allocates less than 1% of total sales revenue toward advertising, this exposure can be significant. Producers utilize television, radio, newspapers, and magazines for promoting their apparel brands, targeting both fashion and general interest publications, as well as trade journals geared toward retailers. Cooperative advertising efforts with retail partners also serve to enhance brand visibility.

Publicity

Producers can gain significant public recognition through publicity, independent of their advertising budgets. Engaging public relations experts, manufacturers can distribute compelling imagery and stories on trending styles to various media outlets. Furthermore, renowned women's designer firms often organize semi-annual press weeks in New York City to showcase their collections, providing press personnel with an opportunity to interact with designers and understand upcoming trends.

In conclusion, the women's apparel industry has transformed significantly, transitioning from small, family-run businesses toward larger, more structured enterprises, while still maintaining a profound specialization in production and design.

The women's apparel industry was made up of small, family-oriented businesses. This began to change at the end of the s. The ownership of apparel manufacturing businesses by such conglomerates as Gulf and Western became economically desirable. These changes necessarily brought some restrictive measures to an industry noted for its flamboyant methods of operation. While it is still possible to respond quickly to changing demands in fashion, more planning is now involved.

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