Behind The Seams: Day In The Life Of Production

The fashion industry is often observed as glamorous, with runway shows, photoshoots, and designer names in bright lights.

However, after the show is over, it is business as usual, and the team often start focussing on sales and planning production for those collections.

Behind every beautiful garment lies a complex and meticulous process that transforms raw materials into the stunning pieces we see on runway, influencers, magazines, and in stores. 

Preparation and Planning:  

Mornings at MAES London are crucial and the time when our factory is buzzing with activity.

This is the time when everyone catches up on their emails and is able to liaise with clients. Our Junior Production Assistant also checks fabric deliveries, threads machines, and makes sure all machinists are briefed on their tasks. 

This is also the time when our Atelier and Schedule meetings take place. Our Production Manager and Junior Production Assistant, along with the rest of them team, reviews the production schedule for the day and weeks ahead, ensuring that everything is on track as well as making sure all materials and resources are in place. 

Client Handover: 

Mornings are the best time for clients to come for a meeting. During the client handovers, our team is reviewing and asking all the necessary questions to ensure production runs smoothly. Tech Packs are followed, along with a packing guideline and brand guidelines.

Fabric Cutting: 

Quality is paramount in fashion production. Our fabric cutters ensures to measure and cut the fabrics to the precise specifications required for each design. This step is crucial as it ensures the quality of materials are passed and then they make it to the next stage.

Pattern Cutting: 

Our development team and pattern makers translate the designer's sketches into pattern blocks that will guide the fabric cutters when cutting. These patterns are laid out on the fabric, and then the cutting begins. Precision is key here, as even a small error can result in wasted material or a poorly fitting garment.

Sewing and Assembly: 

The cut pieces of fabric are now ready to be sewn together. Our Operations and Floor Manager then processes the handover of the styles to our machinists. Our skilled seamstresses and tailors bring years of experience to the table, ensuring each stitch is perfect. This stage involves assembling the garment, adding linings, zippers, and our hand-finisher will add the buttons as well as other finishings that contribute to the final product. Our Quality Control Manager also conducts an in-line quality control to maintain high quality and consistency. 

Quality Control: 

Once the garments are assembled, they undergo a rigorous quality control process, conducted by our Quality Control Manager, Junior Production Assistant and Operations Manager. Read on our Quality Control here. Each piece is examined for any imperfections or inconsistencies. This step ensures that garments meet the standards and are then approved for shipment.

 

Finishing Touches and Packing : 

After passing quality control, the garments receive their finishing touches. This includes ironing, adding labels, and final packaging. These steps might seem minor, but they are essential for presenting a polished and professional product.

Review: 

The day winds down with a review of the day's production. The team discusses any issues that arose, celebrates successes, and plans for the next day's tasks. Continuous improvement is a key focus, and every day brings lessons that help us refine our processes.

As the factory closes for the day, the team and Studio Manager ensures that the studio and all equipment is cleaned and maintained, ready for another busy day tomorrow. The lights go out, but the dedication to craftsmanship and quality remains constant.

Behind every exquisite garment is a team of dedicated professionals who pour their skills, passion, and creativity into every stitch. Garment production is a demanding and intricate process, but it is also deeply rewarding. It is the heart of the fashion industry, where dreams and designs become tangible realities.

We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our day in the life of garment production at MAES London. The next time you admire a beautiful dress or stylish suit, remember the many hands and hearts that brought it to life. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of fashion!

Get in touch with us today at: hello@maeslondon.com