Selected work

Sourcing & development projects.

These projects show Derrick’s involvement in fabric sourcing, garment sample development, factory matching, inspection arrangements and production coordination across apparel and accessories.

These examples come from real sourcing and development projects. All content is shared with client permission, and identifying details have been obscured. Factory identities, specific fabric information and confidential production details are not disclosed.

01Client referrals & feedback

Client referrals & feedback.

Conversation referring a contact for guidance at the Zhongda fabric market — A referral for a Guangzhou fabric market visit · Scroll inside the image to see the rest. · Bottom of image shown.

PROJECT UPDATES

Updates across multiple sourcing projects.

When several sourcing projects are moving at once, Derrick uses shared Google Docs and Sheets to keep delivery progress, product status and next steps up to date for the team. Links within the working documents can lead to more details, such as product photos, delivery timelines, pricing, minimum order quantities, sampling progress and points that still need improvement.

Google document showing separate sourcing requests and working notes

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A shared document keeps distinct sourcing requests and updates together.

02Project case studies

Projects, from brief to delivery.

A closer look at the sourcing, development and production work behind four different projects.

Derrick’s email update confirming inspection of fabric from three suppliers under the American four-point system — A project update confirming fabric inspection and the attached reports.

01 / 04Fabric sourcing · U.S. apparel brand

Fabric sourcing for a new collection, from development to shipment.

The brief: A U.S. apparel brand needed fabrics for a new collection from several Guangzhou suppliers. Quality needed to be checked in China before shipment to its garment factory in Vietnam, so problems could be resolved before the fabric crossed the border.
Development: Derrick first sourced the fabrics, then helped arrange sample yardage for pattern making and garment sampling. After the samples were successfully developed, the project moved to booking bulk fabric with the selected suppliers.
Purchase coordination: Some local fabric suppliers could not issue an English pro forma invoice, and their weight-based pricing and estimated metres per roll needed to be explained clearly to the international team. Derrick checked stock availability, roll weights, estimated usable metres and prices, then organized the purchase information for approval and follow-up.
Inspection & shipment: Derrick coordinated delivery of fabric from three suppliers to a local inspection facility and aligned the next handover with the freight forwarder. Inspection reports using the American four-point system found no major issues. The fabric was then delivered to the forwarder’s warehouse and shipped to the factory in Vietnam for garment production.

02 / 04Dress development · UK client

Turning a visual reference into a workable sample.

A UK client had previously sent photo references to a factory in China, but the sample did not reflect the intended design. The client asked Derrick to help translate the concept into a sample the local pattern maker and sample room could develop accurately.

Derrick worked with a collaborating designer to turn the client’s images and requirements into fashion flats and a tech pack with construction notes tailored to the local pattern maker and sample room. He then sourced suitable fabric and sent swatches to the client to confirm the hand feel, weight and colour. From there, Derrick coordinated successive toiles, relayed the client’s feedback to the sample room and refined the pattern before the final fabric was cut.

The result was a demanding one-shoulder dress with a sculptural, irregular drape that closely reflects the agreed design direction. The three stages below show why changing the toile fabric and adjusting the pleats mattered.

STAGE 01

First toile · White muslin

The first drape tested the silhouette in white muslin. The fabric was too soft to support the sculptural shape, making the intended volume difficult to judge.

White muslin first toile on a dress form, front angle — First draping test: the soft muslin could not hold the intended volume.

White muslin first toile viewed from the side — First draping test: the soft muslin could not hold the intended volume.

STAGE 02

Revised toile · Pink muslin

A firmer pink muslin gave the form more structure and brought the sample closer to the intended proportions. The pleats still read too even, while the client wanted a more irregular drape. The revised form was sufficient to settle the pattern before cutting the final fabric.

Pink revised toile on a dress form, front view — The firmer toile holds the one-shoulder silhouette more clearly.

Pink revised toile from a slightly different front angle — The firmer toile holds the one-shoulder silhouette more clearly.

STAGE 03

Final sample · Selected fabric

With the pattern established, the sample room cut the selected final fabric and refined the pleating. The finished sample achieves the more irregular, sculptural drape described in the design and reviewed with the client.

Final burgundy one-shoulder ruched dress from the front — Final fabric and refined draping bring the intended design together.

Final burgundy dress viewed from the side — Final fabric and refined draping bring the intended design together.

Watermarked conversation showing Derrick sending a detailed quality inspection report to the activewear client — An update to the client following Derrick’s on-site inspection of the first production run.

03 / 04Activewear development & production · Canadian brand

Taking a new activewear collection from first meeting to first shipment.

The brief: Derrick began working with a Canadian start-up positioning its activewear at the premium end of the market in late 2025. The first meetings established the product direction, technical requirements and a practical route from initial ideas to a manufacturable collection. The client is the designer and led the creative direction; Derrick coordinated the local sourcing, development and production work.
Materials & development: Derrick sourced fabrics and trims, helped the client find a suitable pattern maker and sample room, and coordinated the first styles through testing and prototype development. Once the final prototypes were agreed, Derrick assessed and matched factories capable of producing to the required standard.
Sampling & production: Multiple rounds of revised samples addressed stitch construction, fit and measurements before bulk production. Derrick coordinated the selected fabric and trim orders, followed production with the factory, and helped arrange the logistics and shipment handover.
Inspection & delivery: In late September 2026, the brand’s first production run was completed and shipped. Derrick visited the factory to inspect the finished garments and sent the client a detailed quality report. The result reflects the client’s thoughtful design direction, the factory’s close cooperation and the sustained development work behind the collection.

Watermarked illustration of an enquiry about sourcing apparel and accessories from suitable manufacturers in China — An illustrative enquiry showing the multi-category sourcing brief.

04 / 04Multi-category supplier matching · Australian fashion brand

One local point of contact for multiple product categories.

The brief: An Australian fashion brand was developing apparel alongside bags, hats and footwear. Each category required suppliers with the relevant production experience, while the client needed a practical way to keep several development projects moving at once.
Supplier matching: Derrick reviewed the client’s purchase plans, tech packs and design drawings to understand the requirements for each product. He then searched his local supplier network, discussed the designs, materials and quality expectations with suitable manufacturers, and introduced the client to suppliers who were confident they could meet the brief.
Development coordination: After the introductions, Derrick stayed involved as the products moved through development. He helped clarify requirements, followed up on samples and outstanding decisions, and kept communication moving between the client and the different suppliers.
A clearer view of every project: Different products call for different manufacturing specialists, even within apparel. Derrick brought the updates together in regularly maintained project reports, so the client could see the status, next steps and open questions across categories through one local point of contact. The supplier relationships progressed into collaboration, with the products moving toward bulk production.

03More from the work

From separate tasks to a coordinated project.

Fabric sourcing, sample development, factory matching and production follow-up often involve different people and decisions. Derrick keeps those steps connected, follows up on open questions and gives clients a clear view of what has been completed and what comes next.

Whether you need help with one stage or support across the full process, Derrick can discuss a practical approach for your project.

Discuss your project