Fashion Agents

Fashion agents provide a link between fashion suppliers, including designers and producers, and fashion retailers.

Fashion agents can offer a complete package of services to their suppliers including sales, brand management, finance and distribution services. Fashion agents will often act as distributor, wholesaler and importer for a large range of suppliers and will be able to employ their larger size to advantage. Fashion agents will most often carry both stockroom and indent labels.

Stockroom labels are those available right away from the fashion agent’s wholesale or warehouse stock. Retailers will be able to visit the Stockroom or even view an online catalogue or summary of all the stockroom labels that an agent represents. Most agents will require that retailers complete a commercial credit application before placing an order. Most stockrooms are open during standard business hours, although some may require an appointment to view the styles on offer. Some fashion agents will be able to provide a completely online mailing list, catalogue and ordering service.

Indent labels are those that require retailers to pre-order, most often three to five months in advance. Fashion agents will carry a range of samples and will most often have dedicated showings for particular ranges. Retailers are able to make selections regarding colour, sizes and quantities. Most often each indent label has a timetable of showings for their ranges in the agency’s showrooms; these dates will often be advertised online and may require appointments.