Melbourne Fashion Lab works a bit differently to other businesses that create garments for clients. We noticed and heard from our customers that the process is too complicated, difficult, they can't meet the quantities, or just out right affordable. 

Your first point of action when contacting us is to Book a Consultation via email, or via our contact page.
The Consultation can be done over phone, in person or via skype and runs for approx 30-40mins. 
We will listen to your idea, provide feedback and steps to move forward with and offer our solutions to you with either a set price, or per hour work. 

Some clients have a lot of information, Some client's don't have any! So be prepared. 

We recommend having the below information to get the most out of your consult:
1. Drawn up designs (no matter how rough, or how bad you are of drawing) Fronts & Backs
2. Samples! Find clothing similiar to what you want to make & use these for referencing
3. Fabrics - provide swatches / samples / fabric information

What can we do?
We can create technical illustrations of your designs, create a "tech pack" for manufacturers which include fabric & trims details, illustrations, sewing information, and a point of measures page. You can then take this to a manufactuer & start sampling.

A lot of clients at this initial stage decide to do their sampling in Australia first, they get their patterns created and a first sample is made. The first sample is worn at a fitting, then adjusted accordingly to a second sample. If the sample is approved, you can then take your tech pack & approved sample to manufactures and get prices on a bulk order.

The positives of getting your initial samples done in Australia, is that of many:
1. No lost in translation - we speak the same language!
2. No expensive posting, long delays waiting for samples to arrive
​3. Easier to make changes by picking up a phone
4. More hands on approach

Whilst producing samples in Australia is perceived as an expensive task, if you were to source your samples offshore you may not be able to get it correct straight away, and don't forget to add in the long delays in between samples. 

We can create patterns for a base size S/10, and samples - depending on type of clothing and complexity. We don't do tailoring, bridal, evening wear, jeans, or coats/jackets but we do practically everything else.  If we can't provide patterns / sampling, we will endeavor to find you an alternative.

Melbourne Fashion Lab has been working closely with a ballet company to produce a series of costumes for their production in late September.
We were given a sample of the style of costume they liked, then created a sample for fit purposes. The Sample was a size Small / 10.
With the number of costumes made during this process, we then graded our base size to an 8 & 12. 
We have a series of fittings, and adjustments to be made to the final garments before the dancers can do their thing. 
I forgot to mention - the costumes are all made out of terry towelling towels creating their own unique problems that need to be troubleshooted. 

A first fit sample pictured above based on a sample given to us. The first fit sample is important to the production process as it allows us to find any fitting issues, or fabric problems first hand rather then create everything then try to fix it.
​
Some issues you can have with a first fitting can be - fitting problems (too tight, too loose, wrong length, etc) which need to be re-adjusted accordingly, they can also be fabric problems - fabric is too light, too heavy or not ideal for the product to be made, and they can also include ways to make the garments better e.g original sample had buttons, but we have replaced them with zippers.