surri

Lucky enough to originate from a family of strong garment manufacturers, I started out young packing goods and helping to sort out merchandise for shipments overseas. Our factory does amazing product. We make sleepwear for Saks Fifth Avenue under the Cottonista brand. It's beautiful stuff. The factory has about 500 workers and we're considered responsible apparel producers. It is predominantly a knitwear factory. However, I've taken over two lines to really study and understand this business. I've taken this time to go back to the core of fashion; which is making pure, good product.

Quality in Indonesia is brilliant. It sure beats working in China. Hopefully the orders get filtered back to Indonesia in due course. Communication is also much easier. Costs are reasonable although higher than China.

I'll pick a few topics in relation to the project we're a part of. Anyone from different parts of the world let us know what you guys think, i,e production in Europe, The Middle East, etc.

We first started making garments for our boutique in Singapore. For some reason we decided to start out producing in China. I've always had this belief that despite all the inconveniences, production in China was the way to go even though I come from a manufacturing background in Indonesia. Strange, I know. No need for a reminder. Since many of the labels in our store has goods coming from China, I thought i'd follow suit.

At this point our family had tracked my progress. Despite all their efforts to coerce us into shifting, I stayed loyal to manufacturers in China.

After several runs of product and many nights/days of stress, delays, mishaps, overcharges, undershipment, I decided enough was enough. We looked to investing into machines for woven garments including triple needle machines (for triple needle shirting, workwear, swimwear), buttonhole machines, double needle machines (for shirt side seams, etc). We started off basic. But with the help of the floor staff, our product quickly rose to a quality that we felt was ideal for the price points we were intending to charge. In fact, some of the quality surpassed products that usually fit into that price tier.

That's it for now. I'll start with a solid post that involves the fundamentals of creating a "good" product. For those of you that would like to ask questions, feel free.

Seems like there are quite a few of you folks that are interested.

If you'd like to chime in, let us know what production in America and Europe is like. I'm particularly interested since I've noticed the guys at Albam are doing stuff out of Portugal, London, etc. I've always wondered how different it is working with Western production houses. Also with guys like EG and the like working out of the US.

Best,

I also don't speak much on this thing because I have major interest in scrutinizing looks from designers. I'd rather fall back to the core of production/making clothes. More interesting.

Why did you choose to work in a garment factory in Indonesia?

- family business

What are some little bits of info on production?

- I can run through what we do here.

What mistakes can I avoid?

- production mistakes, fit problems

What is useful info for wannabe designers?

sourcing away from china, hookups. I'm trying to get people to recognize the quality that comes out of Indonesia.

What can I appreciate that goes on behind the scenes?

repair work, tricks of the trade, etc. dealing with suppliers

Howdy,

I've been lurking on here a while and noticed nobody really talks much about garment production, product development etc. That's why I thought......

I currently work at a garment factory and have access to production, sourcing, etc. Would people on here be interested to know little bits of info on production, etc, mistakes to avoid, useful info for wannabe designers? We have a lot of people on here that love design etc, question is, do any of you appreciate what goes on behind the scenes? Do you guys want to know?

It is a knit factory that does woven pieces also.

If I put up info would you guys be down to comment, participate. Would it be of any use to you lot. Let us know and I'll do my best to provide info. The rest of you who already know this can chime in.

What do you think?

What's going on here? Why is there no activity??

oioioi I believe there are a few old shops like them in Bandung that sell leather jackets, etc. Leather goods are big over there and I'm sure if you scour through you will find something. It would help if you had a guide. Most of the people in Bandung are usually quite friendly.

If you head down to some of the local independent shops they will give you the correct lowdown.

Enjoy.

Moscot Eyewear - I rock the Lemtosh Black Crystal. Gives me an edge. I don't even need to speak. The ladies love it.

The only UFC I been to was UFC 56 in AC in New Jersey. Arlovski vs Eilers. That was fun, but shitty fights.

No worries at Pride. Dream just got new investors and the "War on the UFC" is now officially underway!

This sounds interesting. I just found out about it too and I wonder if it's gonna make its way to Asia. Will be fun to see how it pans out on this side of the world.

I think people approach these types of brands differently. Don't think they need to be consistent with collections. As long as it's hitting that sweet spot with slightly head-turning ideas, they should be fine. Look at Acne for instance. They don't seem to be doing anything too crazy but they seem to keep growing.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe I just felt like chiming in and wasn't so sure about what to say but I'm interested to see how people take to this.

I'm just waiting for them to come to Hong Kong. I'm gonna take the first trip down there.

Holy shit, I just realised I joined this thing in 2006 and I've only posted a grand total of 93 posts. I need to quit the day job!

How's the blueprint affair? The Raoul photos looked interesting? Is it me or do their clothes/models get slightly better everytime?

How are the ladies at blueprint? I miss those pre-pubescent social climbers that attend because of their love for design (shopping) and culture and fashion (shopping). They need to try make clothes. Design and culture (Shopping) might just never taste the same again.

I am in Indonesia, where the weather is warm and the traffic heavy. On a lighter note, the process of making garments is becoming more and more clear. For those of you that don't know, I'm poof's boss (that sounds wrong but too funny to not say exactly the way it should be said). I spend quite a bit of time between Jakarta and Singapore.

Keep me updated.

hey why is asylum closing down? why is everyone always closing down/moving out/etc? Shit just don't stay the same for very long these days. If it's the same, it's the same for too long. Same damn tent in same damn ngee ann city.

I'm not sure what I'm cribbing about here. Is change good or the same old shit just boring?

Tim will be going home in a body bad against the mighty Fedor!!

I thought Sylvia was going to jab his way to a decision too but Nog's Jits are on a whole different level. He made Sylvia walk right into his game. Nog's got a tonne of heart too. Unreal!!

The leather quality is awesome. Pictures don't do enough justice. Glad you like em Plongin. Good meeting you the other day.

apologies for the digression.

but, I went into my local ubiq stockist (Know it Nothing) with the aim to pick up a pair of ubiqs, but once I saw these in front of me, I just had to change my mind.

from a brand called pointer. theyre fucking awesome.

ok back to ubiq talk.

Glad you like em. We'll be getting more Ubiq's soon.

Here's the flyer. See you all in store.

Julian Red on sale for 20% off at KIN. Same goes with all other clothing and accessories. Footwear at 15% off. To all the Chinese brothers on here, enjoy the new year...

Can someone pleaseee post a fit pic for those UBIQ El with skinny jeans

Here it is again.

Worn with Julian Red Hobo Black Bullet

The Tweety joints aren't so bad. The black part on the back of the shoe with the tweety print won't be so visible so that's good.

Any opinions on the Batman Fatimas, the one with the Neon pink and green insoles.

Bump bump.....

They are raw coated/waxed somewhat overdyed. Fabric's from Japan I believe.

Bump bumpp bumpp!

fucking ace surri, i'll be dropping by KIN soon just to get me some UBIQs.

Thanks man. We got the Grace in already in all 5 colorways.

Up again.....