Q&A With Erin Manning

Erin Manning Is A Senior Sourcing, Product Development & Production Consultant. With Nearly 15 Years Of Experience In Footwear And Accessory Sourcing, Development, And Production, She Has The Expertise To Evaluate The Product, The Manufacturers And The Processes To Optimize For Maximum Efficiency And Brand Growth With Internal Teams / External Partners Highlighting The Global Supply Chain.  

We Met With Erin To Discuss Her Experience In Production And Manufacturing Processes,  And Heard About The Challenges And Importance Of Supply Chain Partnerships. We Also Got Some Great Advice On The Most Important Skills A Fashion Designer Should Have, And How She Can Assist The Designers To Overcome The Production Limitations And Accomplish Their Goals, Staying True To Their Original Vision. Keep On Reading And Discover More About Her Career. 

You Have Experience Of Many Years In The Fashion Global Industry. What Is The Biggest Lesson That You Have Learned? If You Could Give A Piece Of Advice To Young Entrepreneurs Wanting To Start Their Own Fashion Business, What Would It Be?

One Of The Most Important Things I Have Learned Over The Years Is The Importance Of Supply Chain Partnerships. Without A Strong, Reliable Factory Partner, A Brand Doesn’t Have A Product To Sell And A Designer Won’t Have Their Product Vision Realized. Factory Partners Shouldn’t Be Treated As Downstream Executional Vendors. Instead, They Should Be Vetted Strategically To Align With The Values And Ethos A Brand Has For Their Products, And Brought Into The Process As A Core Partner In The End-To-End Process. They Are An Arm Of The Business And A Team Member Of The Brand. 

What Skills Do Fashion Designers Need To Have To Be Successful Nowadays?

Versatility And Fluidity Are Both Very Important. I Have Worked With Many Designers And The Most Successful Ones Can Roll With The Punches, Navigate Ambiguity With Calm Under Fire, And Be Keen To Think Outside The Proverbial Box. All While Staying True To Their Design Vision In The Process.

As A Sourcing, Development And Production Expert In Footwear And Accessories, How Do You Help Others Develop Innovative Ideas?

My Job Is To Make The Vision Of My Design Partners Come To Life In Products Ready To Sell That People Will Wear. It Is Important As A Product Developer To Have The Creativity To Understand The Designer’s Vision And The Ability To Interpret That Vision In Following The Overall Aesthetic And Cost Structure Of The Brand. And Be Ready For Plan B, C And D Because There Are Always Constraints On Time, Quality, And Budgets In Pursuit Of The Best Possible Outcome.  

You've Worked In Fashion In New York, London And Now California, What Are The Main Differences Between Working Locally And With International Markets? 

An Interesting Thing That Has Been Happening In The Last Several Years Both In The UK And The US Is The Relevance Of And Interest In Local Manufacturing. This Trend Is In Stark Contrast To My Early Experience In The Industry Amidst The Fast Fashion Boom That Prioritized Cheap, Disposable Items Produced Quickly To Align With Short-Lived Trends. In London, I Had The Opportunity To Work With A Bag Factory 2 Miles From My Flat. In The US, I Have Worked With A Number Of Local Factories Making Shoes And Handbags. The Resurgence Of Local Manufacturing Is Something Super Exciting That I Hope Will Continue To Grow. 

How Has The Apparel Scene Evolved In The Bay Area? What Is Unique To The Bay Area?

San Francisco Is An Interesting Market Because There Are A Number Of Retail Startups From Individuals That Have Not Necessarily Come From A Fashion Background. These Companies Are Challenging The Process, And In Trying To Understand Why We Do Things The Way We Do They Are Opening The Industry Up For Reevaluation And Reinvention. I Look Forward To Big Things Coming From The Bay Area Apparel Scene, Specifically Around Sustainability, Supply Chain Transparency, And Direct-To-Consumer.  

You've Worked With Both Big Corporates And Small Evolving Businesses, What Is Your Personal Preference?

My Personal Favourite Stage In A Business Is The Beginning Stages Where The Business And Brand Are Being Defined. I Love The Opportunity To Wear Multiple Hats And Figure Out The Best Way For An Organization To Achieve The Desired Results And Do What Is Best For The Business. I Also Love The Relationships You Build When Everyone Is Being Scrappy And Getting It Done. Staying Awake Until 2am Steaming Feathers On A Boot The Night Before The Fashion Show Builds An Unparalleled Sense Of Teamwork And Pride!

Thank You, Erin!