How Clothing Actually Gets Made (and Why So Many Designers Get Stuck)

After 25+ years working in fashion, there is one conversation I keep having with designers, brand owners, and people seriously thinking about starting a label.

It isn’t about creativity.
It isn’t about trends.

It is about how to actually get their product made!

I hear the same questions again and again:

Where do I start?
Should I produce locally or offshore?
How do I know if a patternmaker, maker, or trim supplier is the right fit?
How do I make sure the quality matches my brand?
How do I get what I asked for, in the timeframe I need?

I meet incredibly talented people with strong ideas, clear aesthetics and motivated customers, and they are stuck!

They don’t know who to approach first!
They’ve been quoted minimums they cannot afford!
They’ve had sampling experiences go wrong!
Or they simply feel like there is information everyone else has except them & they don’t know where to get access to it!

And here is the truth:

Most independent brands do not struggle because they lack ability.

They struggle because the fashion supply chain is almost impossible to see from the outside.

Even I struggled - and I was already in the industry

Before I started Harlow, I had more than 15 years’ experience in product development, working with both local and offshore production.

But my background was in wholesale, not retail, mostly within department store and larger brand environments. Production quantities were typically 500 to 3,000 units per style. The factories, fabric mills and suppliers I worked with were structured for volume manufacturing.

Small batch brands operate in a completely different ecosystem.

When I launched Harlow, I found myself facing many of the same questions I now hear from new designers. I had to relearn the industry from a new perspective, and the learning curve was steep.

My biggest learning, and the real shift, wasn’t simply finding suppliers - It was building an external team.

A patternmaker, a technician, a sample machinist, a cutter, a maker and a fabric supplier, not as transactions, but as collaborators. Real progress came from conversations, listening, and working through ideas together.

Small brands don’t succeed because they locate a factory. They succeed because they learn how to work with the people who bring the product to life.

A space like the one we are creating now would have made an enormous difference. It would have given me direction much earlier and helped me feel far less lost.

Why this forum was created

Because of this, FashLab is hosting a Business Forum as part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Program, that I will be hosting t

The purpose is simple:

We want to gently open the black box of local production.

This is not another surface-level panel - This is a practical, “how things actually work” conversation about making clothing, properly, sustainably, and in quantities that make sense for independent businesses.

Following the real life of a garment

The panel has been intentionally structured to follow the real pathway a garment takes.

From entering the industry and early brand development, through materials and trims, into patternmaking, sampling, production management and finally manufacturing infrastructure.

You will hear directly from people who do this work every single day:

• Matthew Bull - the next generation navigating retail and brand building

• Christopher Hrysanidis - building a made-to-order designer label

• Courtney Holm (Circular Sourcing) - responsible textile sourcing and material systems

• Lea Oldjohn (Corde Couture / Jack Stock Trims) slow craftsmanship and intentional making

• Scott Bowring & Glen Rollason - patternmaking and development

• Neroli Betts - sample machinist and micro-production specialist

• Michelle Lee Drury - garment technician and production standards

• Peter Barlow (Omada Collective) - local manufacturing and integrated production

Moderated by Julie Goodwin and Glen Rollason (RBPatterns), two deeply experienced and generous industry professionals who have worked through enormous industry change and adapted alongside it.

This panel will not cover PR, marketing or runway presentation.

This session is about the operational side of fashion - the part that determines whether a label survives.

Why this matters

Whether you are a startup, emerging brand or established business, you eventually reach the same point:

• You need relationships.

• You need systems.

• You need trusted knowledge.

The goal of this forum is to openly share years of industry experience, to replace gatekeeping with guidance, and competition with community.

You’ll gain practical insight into how Melbourne’s fashion supply chain actually functions, and be able to ask questions directly to the people who can genuinely help you. It is also a rare opportunity to build real connections with peers, collaborators and experienced professionals in an intimate setting.

The forum is intentionally small (70 seats) so questions can be heard and conversations can actually happen.

Event details

FashLab Business Forum as part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Program
📅 Wednesday 18 February 2026
🕕 6:00–9:00pm
📍 Torrens University, 196 Flinders St, Melbourne

GRAB YOUR TICKET HERE >

If you have ever felt unsure how to take your brand from idea to product, you are very welcome in this room.

I would genuinely love to see you there

Kerry xXx

Helping the Next Gen Step Into Their Power: Volunteering at the Real Industry Job Interviews (RIJI) 14 October 2025

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of joining the Inner Northern Local Learning and Employment Network (INLLEN) for the first RIJI (Real Industry Job Interviews) event of 2025, hosted at the Aborigines Advancement League in Thornbury. 169 students from five Darebin schools stepped up to put their interview skills to the test, and I, along with 19 other volunteers, spent the day helping them gain real-world experience while sharing feedback, encouragement, and insights they’ll carry into future opportunities.

At Kerry Pietrobon Consulting (KPC), I’m always looking for meaningful ways to share my experience, so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it. 💛 Supporting young people to find their confidence as they step into the world of work feels like a natural extension of what I do every day.

What I love about RIJI is that it’s so much more than a one-day event. It’s the culmination of a carefully designed work readiness program that helps students develop skills in job searching, resume writing, and interviewing. By the time they reach the event, they’ve done the groundwork — and you can feel it in the room. A mix of nerves, excitement, and pride filled the space as each student gave it their best shot.

Each conversation was a reminder of how powerful these opportunities are. RIJI doesn’t just build employability skills — it builds confidence, connection, and community. Watching students leave with a little more belief in themselves is something truly special.

A huge thank you to INLLEN, the Aborigines Advancement League, the participating schools, and every volunteer who made the day possible. Your time and energy are helping shape brighter futures for these students. 🙌

If you’re a local business, educator, or professional and would like to get involved in future RIJI events, visit inllen.org.au. You never know whose confidence you might help spark. 💛

This was my first time, but it wont be my last

K x

Fashlab Bussiness Forum - Sept 24, 2025

Wednesday 24 September 2025, Fashlab Forum, Torrens University Melbourne

Fashlab Bussiness Forum - Navigating success, building connections & overcoming hurdles in creative entrepreneurship - recap

There’s nothing quite like being in a room full of creative thinkers, founders, and dreamers who truly get what it means to build something from scratch. The FashLab Business Forum brought that energy in spades, a sold-out night where insight met honesty, and community met laughter. ✨

I had the privilege of moderating a powerhouse panel with @jonlaing_, @juliegoodwincouture, and Toby from @monphell, eavched shared their experiences with such raw honesty, humour, and heart. Together, we explored Navigating Success, Building Connections & Overcoming Hurdles in Creative Entrepreneurship, unpacking the real stories behind creative business ownership, from the messy middle to the magic moments that make it all worthwhile. 💫

The raw honesty with which these three legends shared their experiences was incredible — a perfect mix of laughter, reflection, and real talk about what it means to build and sustain a creative business.

Every FashLab Forum is a reminder of why we show up, share, and keep creating filled with whip-smart insight, contagious laughter, and networking that’s truly next level. If you missed this one, make sure you don’t miss the next.

They’re pure magic. 💥

Want to feel the vibes in the oom, watch the magic captured by clicking play….

Making Your Next Move, Your Best Move

AUS - NZ Croatian Women in Leadership | Victorian Networking Event

11 September 2025 | Ducksnest Studio, South Melbourne

Last week I joined a powerhouse panel at the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in leadership event with three incredible women, Matea Glusevic, Kate Banozic, and Gina Selak , to talk courage, reinvention, leadership, and the messy middle of bold moves.

Hosted in the stunning Ducksnest Studio, the evening brought together Melbourne’s inspiring community of women in business and leadership to explore what it really takes to make your next move your best one.

The night was filled with laughter, vulnerability, and truth-telling. We talked about what it means to back yourself even when you feel out of your depth, to take the next step before you feel ready, and to redefine success in ways that actually feel aligned.

For me, there have been many times when I’ve stepped forward without knowing exactly how things would turn out. I often feel slightly out of my depth because I’m always open to new opportunities. When they come, I tend to say “yes” first and figure out the rest later. Launching Harlow in 2012 was one of those leap-before-you’re-ready moments. I didn’t feel fully prepared, but I knew if I didn’t create the size-inclusive brand I couldn’t find for myself, I’d regret it. That willingness to step in, even before feeling ready, has shaped much of my career.

We also spoke about success, what it means, how it evolves, and how easy it is to get caught up in the external milestones. Early on, I thought success meant constant growth, ticking boxes, and having all the answers. I believed that once you reached the milestone, the title, the stockist, the sales figure, everything would fall into place. And I had those moments: working for major fashion companies, travelling, seeing Harlow walk the Australian Fashion Week and Melbourne Fashion Week runways, being featured in magazines, and hearing people talk about the brand.

But over time, I realised that true success isn’t about appearances - it’s about impact. It’s the fact that Harlow had a 65% customer return rate. It’s the heartfelt messages we received when we announced our pause, like the one that said:

“Harlow showed me my body was worth designing for - beautiful, thoughtful pieces that truly fit helped me feel at home in myself.”

That is what success looks like to me now: the way your work can change how someone sees themselves. And of course, being able to pay your bills is important too!

A few of my answers from the Q&A panel:

Q: You said you often “say yes first, then figure it out later.” How has that approach shaped your journey?
It’s become one of my guiding principles. Launching Harlow was one of those leap-before-you’re-ready moments. I didn’t have everything perfectly lined up, but I knew if I didn’t start, I’d regret it. That mindset of trusting yourself to work it out as you go has opened every new chapter since, from running my consulting practice to speaking and mentoring.

Q: How has your idea of success changed over time?
Early on, success meant the big markers, stockists, sales, runway moments. But now it’s about impact. For me, it’s the customer who said, “Harlow showed me my body was worth designing for.” That kind of feedback means more than any metric. It’s a reminder that the work we do can help people feel seen and celebrated.

Q: What Leveling up Means to you & how has it evolved?

Right now, levelling up isn’t about climbing a ladder; it’s about expanding my impact. Early on, it meant selling into more stores and scaling production. Now it’s about making a difference, sharing what I’ve learned, being honest about what worked and what didn’t, and helping other founders avoid the same mistakes.

It’s shifted from personal growth to community impact. It’s no longer just about my own progress; it’s about helping others step into theirs.

Q: One Piece of Advice I’d Give My Younger Self

Don’t wait until you feel ready - you never will be. Take the chance, back yourself, and remember that mistakes aren’t failures; they’re lessons that move you forward.

For anyone who tends to overthink or aim for perfect, especially when running your own show, remember this: done is better than perfect. Getting it finished and out there will always move you further than waiting for flawless.

Q: The best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Just start.” Whether it was Harlow, consulting, or a new opportunity, that advice to take the first step, even imperfectly, has been a guiding force.

✨ Real stories. Fresh perspectives. Inspiring connections.
An unforgettable evening celebrating courage, community, and the power of showing up : even before you feel ready.

…………

Grateful to @cindyjdrake for including me, and to my fellow panellists for sharing your stories with such honesty and heart. I left buzzing — inspired by the incredible women on stage and in the room. 💫

Guest Lecture - Forecasting with Instinct: A Creative Lens on Trends

Social Trend Forecasting | LCI Melbourne

What. A. Day. 💥✨

I still can’t believe that part of my actual job is getting paid to share my knowledge with students - seriously, how lucky am I?

This morning I had the absolute joy of speaking to the Social Trend Forecasting class at LCI Melbourne, sharing my approach to forecasting as a fashion entrepreneur, blending instinct, inclusivity, and insight to build brands that truly connect with their audience.

We covered it all:
🧠 Where to spot trend signals - from the runway to real life
🔍 How to filter them through your brand DNA
🧪 How to validate them with audience insight
🎯 And how to adapt trends with purpose

Throughout the session, I shared my 4-Step Forecasting Framework - Observe, Filter, Validate, Adapt - a practical tool designed for creatives across disciplines to make forecasting less about guessing and more about filtering. Because forecasting isn’t about chasing every trend - it’s about knowing which ones are worth adapting for your brand or brief.

We also explored Outside-In and Inside-Out Forecasting, where I encouraged students to look outward for inspiration but inward for alignment:

“Start with the world. End with your audience.”

And of course - let’s talk outfit. I wore two pieces that were literal case studies in the session:
👖 The Hotel California Wide Leg Jean - born from inside-out forecasting, when customer feedback completely reshaped how I approached wide-leg pants.
🧥 The Crosscheck Trench - a reimagined classic inspired by the Rebel Rebel Trench Coat, showing how trends can be filtered and adapted into something distinctly you.

Click on the image above to see the highlights >

Honestly, I’m still buzzing. Big thank you to Natsa and LCI for the opportunity, and to the students across fashion, graphic design, interiors, and visual arts who brought such energy, curiosity, and top-notch questions.

Moments like this are exactly why I stepped into consulting, mentoring, and speaking, sharing real-world insight, creative confidence, and the message that:

“Your eye. Your gut. Your brand. That’s your superpower.”

✨ Instinct. Inclusivity. Insight.
Building the next generation of creative thinkers, one class at a time.

………

If you’re looking for a guest speaker or lecturer who blends creativity with real-world experience, I’d love to hear from you.
With 25+ years across design, production, sizing, and consulting, I bring practical insight, storytelling, and genuine connection.