Product Department
If the Style Department designs the Collections from the creative point of view, the Product Department has the task of developing them technically and operationally, translating Designers' ideas into physical products. It is here that the creative vision takes shape through a structured process in which aesthetics, functionality and quality must coexist perfectly.
“The Product Department is where ideas become reality.”
The Product Director: supervision and coordination
Leading the Product Department is the Product Director, a key figure who coordinates the team and ensures that time, budget and quality standards are met.
His task is to ensure that the design is technically feasible and in line with business objectives, balancing creative needs and production feasibility.
From drawing to sampling: the process of Product development
Product development is a multifaceted process involving several stages in which highly specialized professionals are involved.
Here is a summary of how it works.
Step 1: Creating the technical models
Starting from the sketches provided by the Designers, the Model makers o Pattern Maker create, for each garment in the Collection, a technical pattern -also called a paper pattern (in English pattern). A paper pattern is a two-dimensional technical representation of a garment, broken down into its individual parts, and provides all the information needed to make the garment.
Step 2: Prototype creation
I Prototypists use the paper patterns to cut and sew (by hand or using handcrafted techniques) the first prototypes of each garment in the Collection. At this stage, fit, volume and technical details are checked, and any necessary changes are made.
Step 3: Sample making
When the prototypes were approved, the Champions pack the Collection's samples. Unlike Prototypists, who work mainly by hand or with tailoring techniques, Samples makers use industrial machinery to make garments with procedures closer to those of large-scale production. Their work is crucial in optimizing the creation of garments before the final production stage, testing materials, finishes and workmanship to ensure a perfect balance between aesthetics, functionality and industrial feasibility.
The swatchbook will be used for Collection technical presentations, fashion shows and sales campaigns.
The bill of materials: the calculation of costs
Once the development of the Collection is finalized, the Purchasing Manager compiles the Bill of Materials, a technical document that collects all the information about the materials, processing and production costs of each garment. This step is essential to ensure that the Collection is not only creatively successful, but also economically sustainable.