Choosing products from supplier catalogues

A catalogue shows hundreds of pieces and most will not suit you. Clear criteria save time and costly samples.

Selection criteria

• Suits your customer, their climate and occasions.
• Can be adjusted: a colour, a fabric or a detail.
• Fabric and sewing quality can carry the price you want.
• Not a product a thousand sellers show with the same photo.
• A cost that leaves a margin after shipping and customisation.

Start with one or two pieces

Do not start with twenty pieces. Choose a hero piece to build the brand around and a supporting piece, as in the first collection course.

Beware of photos

Catalogue photos may not match reality. Ask for the sample before you commit to any quantity.

Exercise

Pick five candidate pieces from catalogues of different suppliers, rate each against the five criteria, and choose the highest.