Fashion Threads

Fashion Threads, clothing manufacturer and fashion development partner in the UK

Fashion Threads is a British company based in Hove (Sussex) and Maldon (Essex) that manages clothing development and production from the UK, working with partner factories overseas. It supports entrepreneurs, designers and established brands throughout the entire process, from the initial idea to the finished collection, with a level of support tailored to what each project needs.

Garments and categories it produces

The catalogue covers T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, caps, cargos, vests, knitwear, swimwear, outerwear, nightwear, fitness wear and uniforms. The offering is organised into three options: bespoke garments, blank garments from 5 units, and blank garments with UK branding from 50 units.

Bespoke production covers a wider range: jackets and coats, hoodies and sweatshirts, joggers, knitwear in cotton, cashmere, lambswool and merino wool, polos and twinsets, T-shirts, uniforms, children's wear, fitness wear, nightwear, workwear, cargos and shorts, babywear, tracksuits and men's swimwear.

Production minimums and ethical manufacturing

The standard minimum for bespoke production is 100 units per style and colour, which can be split across up to four sizes in any ratio you choose. For smaller projects, blank garments offer low minimums that make it easier to test designs or launch limited editions. The company presents itself as an ethical manufacturer and states that it works only with factories that guarantee fair wages and safe, respectful working conditions.

Product development services

The support covers all stages of development and production. The firm details the following services:

• Consultancy and guidance to define the collection.
• Protection of trademarks and brand identity.
• Logo and visual identity design.
• Garment design and tech packs.
• Fabric and trim sourcing, with samples sent for selection.
• Sampling and prototyping.
• Manufacturing and production, with low minimums, full runs or blank garments ready to print, embroider or customise.
• Delivery and logistics.

Step-by-step working process

The process begins with a conversation about the brand, target market, budget and production goals, which can be held by email or by phone, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom. Advice is then offered on brand protection, design ownership, licensing, infringement risks and privacy policies, with a free intellectual property consultation to identify areas that may require attention.

In the design and tech pack phase, mood boards, collection planning, garment and pattern design, graphics, logos and branding, label and trim design, factory tech packs and measurement charts with size grading are produced. Blank garments, being pre-made, do not require this design support.

Fabric sourcing includes sending samples to choose from and dyeing garments to any Pantone colour, with lab dips to select from. This service applies only to bespoke manufacturing.

Sampling includes pattern cutting and sample development at three levels: initial or fitting samples (approximately 2-3 weeks), pre-production samples (approximately 6-8 weeks depending on order size) and production samples for final approval before bulk production. It also applies only to bespoke garments; blank garments are ready to order without sampling.

Bespoke manufacturing starts at 100 units per style and colour, divided across four sizes. The partner factories are overseas and the company states that all are ethical and pay fair, living wages, showing the people involved in the process, from the fabric spinner to the machinist, cutter, printer or embroiderer, ironer and packer.

Branding and packaging include the development of custom hardware such as rivets, poppers, buttons, zip pullers, drawcord eyelets and aglets, as well as custom labels and trims. This service applies only to bespoke manufacturing; blank garments are sold unbranded and ready to order.

Blank garments ready to customise

The company supplies high-quality blank garments for clients to customise themselves. The range includes T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and other categories, with low minimum order quantities. These garments do not require design or sampling and are delivered unbranded.

Brand protection and intellectual property

Fashion Threads advises on brand protection, design ownership, licensing, infringement risks and privacy policies, both for bespoke garments and for those preparing blank garments for their own brand. The initial intellectual property consultation is free and serves to identify areas of the business that may need attention.