As the fashion industry moves toward a more data-driven future, the way brands work with their suppliers is becoming more important than ever. Building great products has always been about collaboration, but now collaboration also plays a central role in collecting the data needed to meet new compliance demands.
In this article, we explore how different supplier setups shape the way brands manage their data, why strong and lasting relationships with suppliers will be a key advantage going forward, and how working together today can help brands be better prepared for the regulations of tomorrow.
When a consumer picks up a T-shirt in a store, they rarely think about what it took to get it there. Most people are not aware of the long process behind a garment or how complex the fashion supply chain really is. And it is no surprise, because the truth is that no two supply chains look the same.
Some brands work with a small, carefully selected group of suppliers. Others manage their product development and production through agents, who tap into large catalogues of different manufacturers. Each setup creates a different type of relationship between brands and suppliers, and in the coming years, close relationships will probably matter more than ever. We are already seeing a shift in how brands approach supplier management. Earlier, it was common practice to work with a general "supplied by supplier" approach, where the main supplier would take care of sourcing most of the components for a garment. Today, more brands are starting to nominate their own suppliers and sub-suppliers across the supply chain. By naming and working directly with the suppliers of specific components, brands are gaining better control over both quality and data, two things that will become increasingly important as new legislation tightens reporting requirements.
The world the fashion industry is stepping into is becoming more and more dependent on data. To comply with the new legislations coming into play, brands will need to collect far more information about the products they put on the market. For many, this will be a big shift compared to how things are handled today. Here you might wonder what all of this has to do with the relationships you have with your suppliers. It is a good question, and the answer is simple: without strong supplier collaboration, getting the right data in place will be much harder.
The information needed is not just broad statistics or general statements. It is detailed product data. This includes information about components, origin, production processes, and much more. The list of requirements is already long, and it will only continue to grow - read more about why a strong Bill of Materials matters here. Since these products are coming from your suppliers, it means that a large part of the responsibility for delivering this data sits with them. Without their active support, meeting the upcoming reporting standards will be extremely difficult.
Building strong supplier relationships has always been important, but in the new data-driven reality, it is becoming essential. The suppliers who know your brand, understand your way of working, and are familiar with your expectations are the ones who are best equipped to deliver the detailed information you need.
When there is trust and open communication, it becomes much easier to have honest conversations about what data is available, what might be missing, and how you can work together to fill the gaps. Suppliers who feel part of your long-term plans are more likely to invest the time and effort it takes to meet new requirements, rather than seeing it as just another demand. It is not about expecting everything to be perfect from day one. It is about creating a partnership where you and your suppliers are building the foundations together. In the end, the stronger the relationship, the stronger the data you will be able to collect.
Getting ready for the new data requirements is not something that happens overnight. It takes time, communication, and a lot of collaboration between brands and suppliers.
This is why you should not rush to end long-term partnerships just because a supplier is not fully data-ready right now. Instead, use this time to prepare together. Start by setting clear expectations for what will be needed going forward, and work closely with your suppliers to help them understand what is coming. The more you invest in sharing knowledge and building a shared plan, the stronger your collaboration will become.
Data will soon be a basic requirement for doing business in the fashion industry, but strong relationships will be the foundation that makes it possible. The best results will come from working together to create the data you need.
On May 15th, Delogue is proud to host TechThreads, a groundbreaking event designed to bring together IT solutions from across the fashion industry.