Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT IS YOUR SUSTAINABILITY /TRANSPARENCY POLICY?
  • WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM ORDER REQUIREMENT?
  • WHAT TYPE OF GARMENTS CAN YOU PRODUCE AT LOW MOQ? (WOVENS, DENIM, T-SHIRTS, ETC) ?
  • WHAT TYPE OF GARMENTS CAN YOU DEVELOP? (WOVENS, DENIM, T-SHIRTS, ETC) ?
  • WHAT IS YOUR TURNAROUND TIME FOR LOW MOQ PRODUCTION IN YOUR STUDIO?
  • WHAT IS YOUR TURNAROUND TIME FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?
  • WHICH BRANDS DO YOU WORK WITH?
  • DO YOU HAVE GENERIC STYLES THAT I CAN ATTACH MY CLOTHING LABEL ON TO?
  • WILL YOU SOURCE FABRIC AND NOTIONS FOR ME?
  • DO I NEED TO BE IN CALGARY TO WORK WITH YOU?
  • HOW DO YOU QUOTE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?
  • I WANT TO START A FASHION BUSINESS BUT DON’T HAVE ONE YET. WILL YOU WORK WITH ME?
  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DESIGN A CLOTHING LINE?

The only sustainability and transparency that we can guarantee upfront is what happens within our studio.  We have a 100% Canadian based staff and all items produced within our studio are 100% designed and developed by us (excluding fabrics and supplies).  Where we cannot provide this assurance, is in the decisions that our clients make on their own behalf, or guarantee the full sustainability and transparency of other providers that they use.  We can recommend suppliers that we would use, however it is the client’s responsibility to ask their own questions and complete their own due diligence for their product.  

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE LOW MOQ JUST FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT CLIENTS.

WE ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING LOW MOQ IN SHOP PRODUCTION FOR THOSE PROVIDING OUTSIDE PATTERNS UNLESS CLIENTS HAVE PRODUCED A MINIMUM OF 2 SEASONS WITH THEIR PROVIDED PATTERNS.  PATTERNS MUST BE DIGITAL.

Our in studio minimum MOQ RANGES BETWEEN5 TO 30 PER STYLE/COLOUR/FABRIC. 

This is determined by the commodity and complexity.  Complex products have a lower MOQ requirement than Simple products.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE LOW MOQ JUST FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT CLIENTS.

WE ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING LOW MOQ IN SHOP PRODUCTION FOR THOSE PROVIDING OUTSIDE PATTERNS.

We have the capacity to develop a broad range of garments, from knits to wovens.  This is the area that we perform best.

We have developed t-shirts, athleisure, technical wear, high end jackets and coats, etc.

We don't produce one offs.  WE ONLY DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT WILL BE COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED.

​​​​​​Depending on the units required and our current queue, timeline from your cut date can take as little as 3-4 days to 2-4 weeks, considering that development is complete, and your styles are ready to cut.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE LOW MOQ JUST FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT CLIENTS.

WE ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING LOW MOQ IN SHOP PRODUCTION FOR THOSE PROVIDING OUTSIDE PATTERNS.

UNLESS THEY HAVE PRODUCED THEIR CURRENT PATTERNS FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 SEASONS.

Product development for new private brand collections will vary.  The average range from start to finish is between 6-18 months. This depends on how much research has been completed on your end prior to starting.

MEET AND GREET APPOINTMENTS ARE LIMITED EACH MONTH.

WE FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT WE ARE A GOOD MATCH, FIRST.

We do not disclose who we work with on our website, nor do we randomly provide this information.

Our Professionalism and business relies on business ethics and confidentiality.

Service providers in our field who openly discuss who they work with or promote this on their site are may be openly disclosing vital trade secret of their client’s fashion business.

That being said, we do have clients that are open to be used as references. 

Once we have proceeded with a meet and greet and provided you with a proposal, we can provide you with references.

Yes, we service both private brands (custom design collections) and private label (generic styles for branding). We do not hold stock, however, do have styles that we own, which we can cut and sew with your label. 

2023 update

Due to demand and our ability to turn around product quickly, we will be providing more WHITE LABEL products beginning FALL 2023.

Know that we only provide items that are considered sustainable:  Work ethics are followed, above living wage, as transparent fabric details (as possible).

Know that this reflects pricing and these items are considered higher price point items.

MOQ ranges between 20-60 pieces per style/colour/fabric (all sizes included)

Sourcing fabric and notions takes a lot of time and effort.  When working with clients we are always happy to recommend suppliers that we believe will be helpful to them. 

Requests for custom sourcing and selections/consulting is now billed as a separate package ranging from $250 and upwards of $5000+ depending on the items required.

We can work virtually without a problem.

We quote product development as a package. We do this by breaking down each step into known timeframes and combine them to provide clients with a preferred rate. 

NEW START-UPS:  WE HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES AND ONLY PROVIDE FULL DEVELOPMENT PACKAGES FOR START-UPS.  

INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES (EX: ONLY PATTERN MAKING, ONLY LOW MOQ PRODUCTION ETC) ARE AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PRODUCED A MINIMUM OF 2 SEASONS, ONLY.

 

Colour Alchemist Canada Inc. does work with start-up companies (companies that have not completed 2 full seasons are still considered newbies).

Start-ups must be registered companies (this includes sole proprietors, incorporation not required).  Start-ups must also be clear as to their target market and desired projects. We require that this process be completed on your end PRIOR to working with us.  Should you be a START-UP that needs further clarification, we are happy to set up a paid consultation or provide you information on our new DISCOVER COURSE that will begin in September 2023. 

This program is created for those who are unclear as to what direction they are wanting to go with their fashion/apparel business.  

Those interested in the Discover Program DO NOT have to have a business to take this course, as this course is designed to provide CLARITY if starting a fashion business is FOR YOU.

The reason being is that start ups take a considerable amount of nurturing and instruction to ensure that they succeed. 

We pride ourselves on serving our clients to the best possible capacity and have a strong value in being supportive to our clients.  

Our limited intake also ensures that our current existing client community continues to be served.

When selecting which companies, we wish to work with, we choose carefully.  Being a good match for each other benefits both parties in the end.

We hope that you take this diligence to do the same.

 

To develop a single product the average cost, ranges between $3,500-$12,000+ excluding manufacturing costs. 

This depends on complexity and includes all necessary steps (Basic Consulting, sketches/techpacks, patterns, grading, samples, sized samples).

To start a successful clothing brand with  2-3 items to begin, between development, supplies, production, general business costs (registering your business, business professionals such as lawyers,accountants), websites, marketing etc.  Expect to require a minimum 25 to 50K.

 

Contact

Colour Alchemist Canada

Colour Alchemist Canada is proud to be certified as a women business enterprise by women business enterprises Canada council (WBE Canada).

Services Offered By Colour Alchemist Canada: Fashion Business Consulting | Custom Designed Apparel | Apparel Manufacturing | Privale Label Options

Serving clients across Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Okotoks, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Camrose, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, Alberta, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatchewan, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Coquitlam, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Vernon, Invermere, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and all of western Canada.

Contact Colour Alchemist Canada - Fashion Designer in Calgary, AB

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