Make Fashion Better with Beverley Essam

The benefits (and challenges) of being a Made-to-Order Fashion Brand

Over-production and over-consumption are 2 huge impacts of the bulk production method that is so widely used in the apparel industry. So is there a better way to produce? Whilst Made to Order production can’t completely replace bulk production, I’d argue that it could be much more widely used in the industry and therefore help to reduce waste and emissions overall. In this episode, I talk through the main differences between those 2 methods, some of the challenges of embracing ‘make-to-order’ and the benefits of it for not only the brand, but also the world. The MTO method is already widely used in the Bridal and Occasionwear space, so will likely be first choice if that’s your product. There are definitely some compromises that you’ll need to consider if you want to use it for ready to wear, but in my opinion there are plenty of benefits that help to outweigh this. Therefore if sustainability is high on your agenda as a brand, it’s worth doing the research to understand the process fully, and work out how and when you might be able to implement these apparel production practices in your business. There are a couple of reports I’ve mentioned in the episode that are worth reviewing: Fashion waste levels: https://sharecloth.com/apparel-overproduction Burberry’s fashion write offs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44885983 (and please remember, this is just one example of what is happening throughout both fast fashion and luxury market sectors) If you have any comments or thoughts to share, please do add them here on substack, or feel free to contact me with any questions on this subject. Please also share with others you know in the industry who you think might like the podcast, and don’t forget to leave me a review on Apple Podcasts if you’re enjoying it! If you’d like to find out more about what I do, head to my website [https://www.beverleyessam.com/], or come follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/], or Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a]. Start writing today. Use the button below to create your own Substack! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beverleyessam.substack.com [https://beverleyessam.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep: 3 What is PLM?

PLM is an acronym that's used fairly widely in the fashion industry, but not by everyone, and it's one that often gets missed by new brand founders when they are learning the ropes.  PLM stands for Product Lifecycle Management and as I discuss in this episode, it's simply about what stages go into to creating your product, and how you manage each fo them, slotting them all together in an efficient and easy to follow system.  Join me as a talk through how this acronym is used in industry, what stages you need to consider, how you can manage them effectively and the reasons why it's all so important.  A must-listen for all fashion brand founders who want to fully understand the product process and take their business seriously.  If you're keen to learn more or get support with your product lifecycle management, come find me in one of these places: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/] Website [https://www.beverleyessam.com/] hello@beverleyessam.com [hello@beverleyessam.com] And if you're enjoying Make Fashion Better, please share it with someone else you know in industry and don't forget to rate and review it in Apple Podcasts to help it find new listeners :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beverleyessam.substack.com [https://beverleyessam.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep:2 Why is Product Development so Important?

Today on the MAKE FASHION BETTER podcast I'm talking all about a key phase in your PLM - Product Development.  It's a big area, encompassing lots of differnet stages and tasks from range planning right through to production fits. There is a lot to think about and along the way and lots of potential pitfalls for new businesses!  But most of all, I wanted to discuss the reasons why it's so important to get this stage right and to give it the time (and budget) it deserves - the success of your collection hinges on good PD.  So take a listen to here more about each stage in the process and what to look out for along the way. Whether you are new to PD, or fancy a bit of a refresher, this is a great episode for anyone in the fashion industry who is involved in bringing product to market.  I also talk at the end about some of the things you can think about if you are taking a more mindful (and less impactful) approach to fashion production - just a few starters for your consideration, that will hopefully spur fresh and innovative conversations. Please do share this with anyone in industry who you think might enjoy it, and don't forget to rate and review in Apple podcasts as this really helps people find me :) If you'd like to chat further about PD or any other part of PLM or running a small fashion business, come find me on either: https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/ [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/] Website [https://www.beverleyessam.com/] hello@beverleyessam.com [hello@beverleyessam.com] And if you're enjoying Make Fashion Better, please share it with someone else you know in industry and don't forget to rate and review it in Apple Podcasts to help it find new listeners :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beverleyessam.substack.com [https://beverleyessam.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep:1 Who I am and why I'm here

In this first episode of Make Fashion Better, I just wanted to say hello, tell you all a little bit about me and - most importantly - why I decided to set up this podcast.  I've been in the fashion industry for a long time now (17 years!!) and have been lucky enough to work for some really great brands during that time. Most of my experience centres around product - sampling and production mainly - but I've also spent a number of years in a General Manager role which was both enlightening and rewarding, and really set me on my journey to becoming a consultant so I could help other entrepreneurs and brand owners to master the back-of-house stuff and start scaling.  In more recent years I've really wised up to the environmental damage being caused by our sector so I'm on a journey to understand more and find the shiny gems of hope amongst all the greenwashing - I know they're out there!  Grab a cuppa and have a listen to this potted history of me :) Don't forget to leave a comment or review to help others discover MFB. If you'd like to hear more from me or learn more about the services I offer, head here to sign up to my mailing list: https://www.beverleyessam.com/list [https://www.beverleyessam.com/list] Or check out my website: https://www.beverleyessam.com [https://www.beverleyessam.com] Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/] Website [https://www.beverleyessam.com/] hello@beverleyessam.com [hello@beverleyessam.com] And if you're enjoying Make Fashion Better, please share it with someone else you know in industry and don't forget to rate and review it in Apple Podcasts to help it find new listeners :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beverleyessam.substack.com [https://beverleyessam.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Trailer - Make Fashion Better

Welcome to my new podcast - Make Fashion Better! Here's a quick trailer to tell you a little bit about me, and what you can expect from MFB - industry tips, practical advice and discussions on what the future holds for brands working in the luxury bridal and ready-to-wear fashion sectors.  Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-essam-0a851b2a] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyessam/] Website [https://www.beverleyessam.com/] hello@beverleyessam.com [hello@beverleyessam.com] And if you're enjoying Make Fashion Better, please share it with someone else you know in industry and don't forget to rate and review it in Apple Podcasts to help it find new listeners :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beverleyessam.substack.com [https://beverleyessam.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]