In this first episode of Clothing Coulture season 4, hosts Emily Lane and Bret Schnitker explore the human process behind garment manufacturing. They discuss the hundreds of millions of people involved in the industry and the various stages of production, from fiber to fabric to garment creation. Despite advancements, they emphasize the importance of appreciating the human touch and the imperfections that come with it. 

In the final episode of the 3rd season, hosts CEO of Stars Design Group, Bret Schnitker, and CSO, Emily Lane discuss the fashion industry's future, focusing on the trends and innovations expected in 2024 and beyond. They delve into various topics, including the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on design and marketing, geopolitical and global conditions affecting the industry, and evolving fashion trends.

WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) is an independent certification program that promotes safe and ethical manufacturing conditions. They conduct audits and provide certifications to factories around the world. In this episode, Bret Schnitker and Emily Lane sit down with Avedis Seferian, President and CEP of WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), to discuss the importance of social compliance in the apparel industry where they emphasize the progress that has been made in improving working conditions and empowering workers.

Hosts Stars Design Group, CEO Bret Schnitker and CSO Emily Lane discuss fabric care and the importance of following care instructions. The conversation explores the default decision on fabric care, the general rules of thumb for different fabrics, and new technologies that enhance the performance of fabrics.

"Underbuy or Overbuy, you never buy the right amount" is a saying Stars Design Group CEO Bret Schnitker uses when talking about maximizing profitability in fashion buying. Hosts Bret Schnitker and CSO Emily Lane discuss the challenges of overbuying and underbuying in the fashion industry. They emphasize the importance of analyzing sales data and using retail math to determine the right amount of inventory to purchase. Additionally, they explore strategies for managing inventory and meeting customer demand.

Garment dyes and finishes can be applied to garments to enhance their look and feel. CEO of Stars Design Group, Bret Schnitker, and CSO Emily Lane discuss the topic of fabric dyeing in this episode of Clothing Coulture. They explore different types of dyestuffs and how they are used for various fabrics. They also touch on the challenges of dyeing, such as water and energy usage, and the environmental impact of dyeing processes.

Uniforms can be an opportunity for companies to showcase their brand and values while creating stylish and comfortable uniforms that employees enjoy wearing.

In this episode of Clothing Coulture, host Emily Lane and Bret Schnitker explore the evolution of uniforms - from solely being a means of identifying employees, to being more fashionable and stylish. Additional benefits of uniforms extend beyond brand identity by creating a sense of community, improving productivity and job performance. There are many ways to get the most out of your uniform program.

No one likes wrinkled clothing, except for linen, which is in a category of its own. When it comes to apparel manufacturing there are many ways to reduce or eliminate wrinkles in clothing. In this episode, Stars Design Group CEO, Bret Schnitker and Chief Strategy Officer Emily Lane, discuss how wrinkle ratings are visually determined, their impact on fabric longevity, and the evolving landscape of wrinkle-resistant fibers, from formaldehyde-based solutions to eco-friendly alternatives.

Successful apparel manufacturing is all about creating efficiencies. This applies to every aspect of the production process, including designing, planning, sourcing, and manufacturing. In this episode, Stars Design Group CEO, Bret Schnitker and Chief Strategy Officer, Emily Lane, discuss technical design efficiencies with Annie Cohen, Consultant Director of Technical Design at SDG.

Learn:

• How pattern consistencies save time, reduce costs, and reinforce branding.
• Why manually placing patterns maximizes textile consumption
• How proactive sourcing can save time and money in an apparel program

A lot is changing with apparel manufacturing in India. Stars Design Group CEO, Bret Schnitker and Chief Strategy Officer, Emily Lane, recently visited the country to visit our two offices and meet with our factory partners. Along the way they saw manufacturing changes. In this episode, they discuss how the country is embracing more sustainable methods of production and how it is learning into synthetics.