Understanding the Alejandro de Miguel collection: How to profit with little outlay.

I did think that I was getting a few styles from Alejandro to show retailers. As it turns out he doesn't give samples to his agents and reps. If they need any, they have to buy them.

I found this out only this week when the parcel arrived which I thought would contain a dozen sample styles. All it had were a couple of very large look-books and a huge number of material swatches of absolutely gorgeous quality. I asked about the sample styles and between Alejandro's lack of English and my own lack of Spanish it seems we never quite got the message between us.

He asked (according to my Google Translate) why I needed sample styles so I told him that people would need to see a sample to check it for fit and quality.

The answer to that was there was never a problem with fit since he makes to measure from a customer measurement chart in retailer shops. They do regular Spanish sizes from a 40 to 56 but prefers to make to a customers own measurements instead and give them first class service. A pre-sized order is more likely to be sold to a shop as a sample to work from for taking individually measured orders. Not always of course, as they can still be sold in a typical size.

Orders typically take around 4 weeks so the turn-around is pretty quick and should be sufficient for the vast majority of customers.

As for quality: well he says if it's fine for the Spanish Royalty where's the need to prove it to anyone else. He has a point I guess. The sample material swatches have all of the examples of the material so you can certainly see the quality of that at least.

I guess if Queen Sofia is OK with this then that's enough for me too but the retailer fraternity may not pick up on this as quickly.

The one thing I do like with this arrangement though is the sheer profitability of it.

This is a typical bridal shop mentality. For instance, a bridal shop will buy a few styles of gowns, then take orders based on them, whatever the bride's size is. They buy a little and sell a lot.
This is exactly the way to go with the Alejandro collection. Buy some sample styles of the ones you see the most potential in, then have the tape measure out for customers giving them an experience they'll not get for any other collection. You can also have a huge picture of Queen Sofia on the wall to make the most of that particular affiliation.

So the retailer who takes on this collection will need to buy only when there's a customer who wants something. There's no need to buy a large number of stock items. This is something new to mother of the bride outfitters. There will be no need to go into sale with them at the end of a season. The initial outlay will only be for a select few styles to show customers rather than the often huge forward orders most retailers are having to place for other collections.

This sort of retailing excites me. I think this is the way forward to be honest. Most customers, ie mums, will have enough time before a wedding to have a specially made style in her own measurements and often in other material, colour or with particular requirements such as a different neckline.

When I first saw the pictures of some of the styles from this collection they caught my eye as being something rather special. Now I know there's more to it than that. They are indeed rather spectacular and they are absolutely the best you can get in this market.

Visit my website to see the latest styles or email me to get more details.

Fantastic collection for the discerning woman.

My previous post showing the Alejandro de Miguel collection gave you a taster of some of the styles from this remarkably talented Spanish designer.

I now have the material samples and am knocked out at them. They are the most exquisite and ornate materials I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

Alejandro is rightly renowned in his home country for the fashions he makes. From design to production, everything is in-house. There are no outside influences on the manufacture. Hand-made styles incorporating the finest of materials cannot be mass produced. The intricate lace overlay to some styles, the finest brocades on others and the rich embroidery on even more styles demand each piece to be hand made especially on order.

The manufacture of these fine garments is such that you can have whatever you need as an alternative to the style shown. You have a choice of materials, instead of a skirt, top and jacket, you can have a dress and jacket if you wish.

There is nothing Alejandro cannot do within the limits of his imagination.
I am especially delighted with some of the more intricate designs in the mother of the bride - special occasion styles such as that on style 613. This isn't the only outfit of such quality but it is the best of them.

Needless to say, being a favourite designer for Queen Sofia of Spain, Alejandro's collection is not the usual sort of price. You cannot get exclusivity at normal shop prices. This is quality with a capital Q.

I think the best way to describe the price is to say it is "Reassuringly Expensive". You cannot look like a million dollars by spending a dime.

So, if you want the absolute best, uncompromising in quality and with the finest styling and lovingly hand-made by true artisans then you cannot go beyond this unique collection.

Antonio D'Errico: Website updated

With the greatest of pleasure I present the new 2015 website update for the elegant Antonio D'Errico collection.

The new pictures are really superb and show the fine quality of this collection.

These are just a few of the pictures from it and I would imagine that the remainder of the styles will be inserted shortly.

The MODA exhibition planning is well in hand and we are excited about showing these wonderful creations to the retailers visiting the event.
We look forward to seeing may of you in due course but if you wish to take advantage of a personal shop visit beforehand or even afterwards, please don't hesitate to contact us.