Avre Friday Briefing #45

Batch #2 in Production

This week we were at the studio checking in on the Batch #2 smock. The team were literally waist deep in smocks - its looks like organised chaos to the untrained eye, but we're assured someone knows where all the pieces go!

We also had the opportunity to inspect some pristine finished garments coming off the line - they look and feel great - we can't wait to package them up and ship them off to customers. 

In this video Veronica is attaching a chest pocket to the front of one of the garments.

New Product Development 

While Batch #2 moves through production, we've also been knee deep, but in development for this year's releases. This week we signed off the toile for one piece, and finalised materials for another - both are now at the sampling stage. 

We also spent a day at the London Textile Fair with an museum-level rare vintage jacket (guesses on a postcard), meeting with suppliers and discussing specific fabrics and trims.

Modern fabric technology has come a long way in 80 years. Advances in weaving and coating technologies mean we can now build functional garments that will easily last another 80 years, without sacrificing look and feel. We can also make them properly wind and rain proof, and insulated if needs be, without sacrificing authenticity.

Brand new, our versions won't look like the 80-year-old vintage pieces (those have earned their patina), but they'll be built to last another 80 years from now.

Sourcing is detailed work, which often leads down dead-ends, but hunting down the right fabric and trims is so important for what we do. For example, finding a press stud is quite easy, but finding it in the right colour is hard, especially as tastes change. One bit of good news this week is that we found someone who can, through a flat-bed scanning process create a digital version of the camo pattern and colour we need to replicate. Now we've just got to find the fabric. 

What's Next

First samples for one of the new pieces will arrive next week, which will be great to see. Batch #2 continues through production, and we're on track for fulfilment to start w/c 9th February.

That's it for now.