Yoga is no exception. The majority of people who launch a yoga clothing brand have a vision for the perfect yoga apparel and the desire to make that vision a reality.
This type of motivation, while important, is not sufficient to create a successful launching yoga wear collection line. This case study explains the steps involved in turning an idea into a successful yoga line.
What All Started
The brief stated that launching a yoga wear collection was ready for a teacher with a boutique and vet clientele. She knew about the fabrics which were uncomfortable, and the frontal and unhelpful designs. She had no idea how to make the designs come to life.
The process starts here: with a clear brief and not in a factory.
This instructor was very diligent. She specified the feel she desired from the fabric. She specified the level of compression and coverage she desired for each piece. The color palette. The sizes she would like to offer. The retail price she wanted to achieve. Before contacting any manufacturer, she documented everything and wrote down her instructions.
Selecting the right yoga wear manufacturer
The first thing to do is choose the best yoga wear manufacturer. Leggings can be made by many factories. The manufacturer must be able to produce performance yoga wear.
A manufacturer is familiar with four-way stretch fabric, squat proof, flat seam construction and finishing details to help a garment meet the demands of yoga practice.
One factory stood out as the clear winner after sampling three factories. The factory had a good understanding of fabrics, consistently high sample quality and was transparent from the start.
Fabric Selection and Development
Fabric was the key component in this collection. The brief called for a mid-weight fabric with the best balance between stretch and recovery. The fabric needed to be moisture wicking, smooth and resistant to piling from washing.
One of the six fabric options included a recycled polyester/spandex blend. The fabric met all technical requirements and the recycled material was in line with the brand’s sustainability goals and values.
The activewear company managed the entire fabric testing and sourcing process, providing GSM, stretch recovery test results, and washability test reports, before any fabric could be approved for mass production.
Tech Pack Development and Sampling
The fabric was chosen, and now it was time for the design of the tech pack. Each item in the collection, including three different styles of leggings and two sports bras as well as a longline coat, was meticulously detailed. The notes included information on the type and placement of stitches, the construction of the waistband and the placement of branding.
Two problems were found in the first batch of samples. When the fabric was stretched, the waistband of the high-waisted pants rolled. One sports bra cup was missing support. The tech pack was also responsible. The next batch of samples was corrected to address each issue.
The second round of samples approved all six styles, making the entire sampling process five-weeks long. This is a very rapid process for a six piece technical collection.
Bulk Production and Quality Control
Eight weeks was the period of bulk production. The order consisted of six styles in three colorways and 1,800 total units.
Three times quality control is performed during production. First, the fabric was checked upon arrival to ensure that it had the correct GSM and color. The second time was when the seams of the garment were checked during production. Before the units are packed, the final quality inspection is done. The fabric is checked to ensure the correct finish and labeling.
During the final inspection, two units were rejected due to incorrectly placed labels. The remaining units were passed.
Delivery and Launch
Six days prior to the launch date, the collection arrived. Packaging was consistent, clean and branded for each unit. The first colorway was sold out within three weeks.
The launch of the yoga wear collection was not prepared by chance. Preparation was key. The right manufacturer of yoga wear was selected, and the samples were excellent. The quality control process continued all the way to delivery.
Now, the brand has also placed two orders and is developing a second yoga wear collection with the same manufacturer.
Image Placement: After This Section Image: Stacked boxes from the yogawear collection, with each box displaying the brand and consistent packaging. Ready for dispatch. Alt Text: The entire collection of yogawear packaged and ready to be delivered at the launch.
conclusion
The most important thing you can do to make your launch successful is to have the right processes in place. From the briefing to the bulk order, each step builds on the previous one.
Explore the options for yogawear manufacturing and find a partner to help you with your project.
FAQs
How long does it take a launching yoga wear collection?
From brief to delivery, most collections take between 16 and 24 weeks, depending on complexity, number of styles, and sampling rounds required.
How many sample rounds should I expect?
Most brands go through two to three rounds. Technical garments like launching yoga wear collection sometimes require more due to fit and construction complexity.
What fabrics work best for launching yoga wear collection?
Recycled polyester and spandex blends are popular for their stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and sustainability credentials.
Do I need a tech pack before approaching a launching yoga wear collection?
es. A tech pack gives the factory a clear reference for every garment. Without one, consistent production is very difficult to achieve.
