How do you keep up with deadlines in the fashion industry?

The fashion industry is fast-paced, competitive, and constantly evolving. As a fashion designer, you need to be creative, adaptable, and efficient to meet the demands of your clients, customers, and collaborators. But how do you keep up with deadlines in the fashion industry without compromising your quality, vision, and sanity? Here are some tips and tricks to help you manage your time, prioritize your tasks, and deliver your projects on schedule.

1 Plan ahead

The first step to keeping up with deadlines is to plan ahead. Before you start working on a project, make sure you have a clear idea of the scope, requirements, and expectations. Break down your project into smaller and manageable milestones, and assign realistic deadlines for each one. Use a calendar, a planner, or a project management tool to keep track of your progress and deadlines. Also, anticipate potential challenges, risks, and changes that might affect your timeline, and have a contingency plan in case they arise.

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Firoz Reza, Apparel Merchandiser (Buying)

Professional Business Analyst. Cooking is my hobby and have a start-up. Experienced Sourcing Specialist for Fashion Industry.
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TNA (Time and Action Plan) is the only way to keeping up with deadlines. - Followup every department to meet TNA. - Must keep reserved day in TNA, just incase.

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2 Communicate effectively

The second step to keeping up with deadlines is to communicate effectively. As a fashion designer, you need to collaborate with various stakeholders, such as clients, suppliers, manufacturers, models, stylists, and media. To avoid misunderstandings, delays, and conflicts, you need to communicate clearly, frequently, and respectfully. Update your stakeholders on your status, feedback, and issues. Listen to their input, concerns, and suggestions. Negotiate and compromise when necessary. And most importantly, be honest and transparent about your capabilities, limitations, and expectations.

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3 Prioritize and delegate

The third step to keeping up with deadlines is to prioritize and delegate. As a fashion designer, you may have multiple projects, tasks, and responsibilities competing for your attention and energy. To avoid getting overwhelmed, you need to prioritize and delegate. Identify the most important, urgent, and valuable tasks, and focus on them first. Delegate or outsource the less critical, time-consuming, or repetitive tasks to someone else who can do them better or faster. Learn to say no to requests or opportunities that are not aligned with your goals, skills, or availability.

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Tom Powanda

YOUNG MEN'S APPAREL PROJECT MANAGER | STRATEGIC PLANNING | NEGOTIATION
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There is always more work to be done. Scrutiny and change are the two constant factors in Fashion. Trend and Seasonality guarantee your idea 6 months ago will need a refresh in the future. Make sure your commercial documents are right the first time. Check and double check. Changes will require time, fixing mistakes is time wasted. Even when your defined calendar load is low (August/January), polish new ideas, review a new fit to be sure XS and 3XL measurements are not crazy, or study your warehouse inventory to be sure there is no design ideas not working. Talk daily with your makers. Ask for pictures of current developments. If something is not to your expectation, ask them to show you options. Never let a slow day be wasted.

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4 Stay focused and organized

The fourth step to keeping up with deadlines is to stay focused and organized. As a fashion designer, you need to be productive, creative, and consistent in your work. To achieve that, you need to stay focused and organized. Eliminate or minimize distractions, such as phone calls, emails, social media, or noise. Create a comfortable, inspiring, and functional workspace. Set a regular and realistic schedule for your work, and stick to it. Use tools and techniques that help you organize your materials, files, and ideas. And don't forget to take breaks, relax, and recharge.

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5 Seek feedback and improvement

The fifth step to keeping up with deadlines is to seek feedback and improvement. As a fashion designer, you need to be open to learning, growing, and improving your craft. To do that, you need to seek feedback and improvement. Ask for constructive criticism from your clients, peers, mentors, and audience. Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Learn from your mistakes, failures, and successes. Seek new skills, knowledge, and inspiration. And always strive to deliver your best work possible.

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Tom Powanda

YOUNG MEN'S APPAREL PROJECT MANAGER | STRATEGIC PLANNING | NEGOTIATION
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Technology improvements over the past 15 years have changed the way people communicate. Whats App, WeChat, Line; Pick your poison. There is no excuse for not having a clear idea for what is going on halfway around the planet. Every change can be photographed and shared in real time. Wake up to 8 images of a seam change and new tie dye approval. Comment on those changes, giving clear concise communication back before the maker opens in their AM. What once took a week, now can be done in a few hours. Always seek images in order to refine and improve your design before final sample is sent to you. There will always be a difference of opinion. Clear up the confusion using real time tech and diligence. Remember your calendar..

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6 Celebrate and reward

The sixth and final step to keeping up with deadlines is to celebrate and reward. As a fashion designer, you need to acknowledge and appreciate your achievements, efforts, and progress. To do that, you need to celebrate and reward. Celebrate your completed projects, milestones, and deadlines. Reward yourself with something that makes you happy, such as a treat, a gift, a trip, or a compliment. Share your work and results with your stakeholders, network, and fans. And most importantly, be proud of yourself and your work.

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Tom Powanda

YOUNG MEN'S APPAREL PROJECT MANAGER | STRATEGIC PLANNING | NEGOTIATION
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The reward for apparel design is 2-fold. 1: You the individual are given permission to scale an idea from your mind and hand to share with society. Your idea is manufactured to exist bigger than you. Like a building or bridge. That alone for me is ALL OF IT. 2: Don't ever seek applause. An item that is working, is shipped, and payment is collected quietly. Good design is simply doing your job. That is what you are paid for. It's the item that is not working that the sales team will come to you and "Need to discuss." Work smart and nimble to avoid these designs. Warehouse inventory is only an ASSET or a LIABILITY. Liabilities are wasteful and bad for the planet. Focus on gaining cache to explore reward #1 within the business.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you keep up with deadlines in the fashion industry?

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1 Plan ahead

2 Communicate effectively

3 Prioritize and delegate

4 Stay focused and organized

5 Seek feedback and improvement

6 Celebrate and reward

7 Here’s what else to consider

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