From Sketch to Shelf: Streetwear Design & Distribution

About this experience

Follow a garment from sketch to shipping box. You start in the design studio working on a real upcoming drop, then head into the Fashion District to source fabric and trims with Marisol and see how she negotiates minimums.

The afternoon is at the sample room and warehouse, where you will see fittings, quality checks and how wholesale orders get picked, packed and shipped to stores. Marisol breaks down cost per unit, wholesale pricing and why most small brands run out of cash.

Your day

1. 9:00 AM

   Design studio

   Review mood boards and sketch a piece for the next drop with Marisol.

   1 hr 30 min

2. 10:30 AM

   Fabric district run

   Visit fabric and trim suppliers and learn how to read a swatch card and negotiate minimums.

   2 hr

3. 12:30 PM

   Lunch

   Tacos in the Fashion District and a look at the season calendar.

   1 hr

4. 1:30 PM

   Sample room fitting

   Sit in on a sample fitting and help mark up adjustments for production.

   1 hr 30 min

5. 3:00 PM

   Warehouse and wholesale

   See orders picked and packed and walk through a wholesale line sheet and margins.

What’s included

• Lunch
• Fabric swatch kit to take home
• Sample tech pack and line sheet templates
• One piece from the current collection

Good to know

• Wear comfortable shoes; there is a fair amount of walking between shops.
• Unreleased designs are confidential; photos of samples are not allowed.

Your curator

Marisol Vega11 years designing and distributing apparel

Marisol Vega sold screen-printed tees out of her car before launching her own streetwear label. She now designs four drops a year and distributes her line and two partner brands to about 60 boutiques. She still approves every sample herself.