Connect Guides
Practical fashion sourcing, explained clearly.
Useful guidance for finding materials, approaching manufacturers, publishing clear Requests, and building better conversations between Designers and Suppliers.
Sourcing knowledge
All guides
Six focused guides. No vague advice or promotional rankings.
- 01For Designers
How to Find Fabric and Material Suppliers
Where to search, what to prepare before making contact, how to evaluate a Supplier, and the mistakes that slow sourcing down.
8 min read - 02For Designers
How Fashion Designers Find Manufacturers
The difference between Suppliers and manufacturers, what production information to prepare, how sampling works, and how to approach a factory.
9 min read - 03For Designers
How to Write a Clear Fashion Sourcing Request
What to include in a sourcing Request—from material and quantity to location, certification, colour, weight, timing, and intended use.
7 min read - 04For Suppliers
How Textile Suppliers Can Reach Fashion Designers
How to present capabilities, materials, photographs, minimum orders, lead times, locations, and specialities so Designers can understand them quickly.
8 min read - 05Sourcing knowledge
Fashion Trade Shows vs Online Fashion Sourcing
An honest comparison of trade shows, online platforms, directories, and referrals—and how to combine them during fashion sourcing.
8 min read - 06Sourcing knowledge
How to Choose a Fashion Sourcing Platform
What Designers and Suppliers should compare: relevance, direct communication, locations, pricing, privacy, and the quality of available information.
9 min read
Our approach
Connect Guides are written to help people make clearer sourcing decisions. They explain the process honestly, including where physical samples, verification, due diligence, and direct professional advice are still necessary.