Be A Designer, Gallarate. Prototypes and sample collections, Made in Italy.
Prototypes and samples for your brand.
From the initial sketch to the garment ready for fitting: material sourcing, pattern-making, prototyping, alterations and a full sample collection, all carried out in workshops within 30 km of Gallarate. Prototypes start at around €80.
12 years in the Made in Italy supply chainOver 200 people supported in launching their brandTrustpilot 4.2/5, every review is 5 stars
In brief.
Be A Designer is a design studio based in Gallarate (Varese) which has been producing prototypes and sample collections of Made in Italy clothing for emerging designers and brands for the past 12 years. A prototype costs around €80, or €250 including the pattern, and is always produced following a search for fabrics, trims, small accessories and buttons. A simple prototype, such as a T-shirt or a sweatshirt, takes 2–3 weeks; for jackets and outerwear, up to 4–6 weeks. On average, it takes 3–4 months from the initial idea to the finished sample collection.
Service details Prototypes and samples
- Who
- Be A Designer, Gallarate (VA)
- What
- Patterns, prototypes, size grading and the full sample collection
- Where
- Workshops within 30 km of Gallarate
- Prototype
- Around €80, €250 including the pattern
- Lead times
- 2–3 weeks for a simple prototype, 3–4 months for the sample collection
- Who it's for
- Emerging designers, brands and companies launching a capsule collection
From sketch to sample collection.
The prototype is the stage at which an idea becomes a garment ready for testing. The sample range is the complete collection, ready for photo shoots, showrooms and buyers. In between lie the decisions that determine the cost of production.
Pattern and prototype
The technical drawing gives rise to the pattern, and the pattern gives rise to the first physical garment: it is tried on to check the fit, proportions and construction details, then adjusted and approved.
Size grading
Once the prototype has been approved, the full size range is developed from the basic pattern, ensuring that the fit remains correct from the smallest to the largest size.
Full sample collection
Every piece in the capsule, finished in every detail and made with the same care as the production run: it is your brand's calling card.
One prototype or the full sample collection.
You can start with a single garment to test out an idea, or work with us to create the entire capsule collection. During our first call, we’ll work out exactly what you need.
A prototype
To test a garment before investing: research into materials, a pattern and a prototype to try out and refine. Around €80, or €250 including the pattern.
The full sample collection
To present the collection to clients, buyers and photographers: every piece in the capsule, with size grading and production already set up in the supply chain within 30 km of Gallarate.
In both cases, before the prototype is made, we carry out research into fabrics, finishes, trims and buttons. For us, it’s never just a prototype and a paper pattern: as a result, the prototype is already very close to the final garment.
A supply chain within 30 km.
Prototypes and production take place in workshops within a short supply chain, within 30 km of Gallarate. We do not move production to other regions: this ensures greater quality control, less transport and greater sustainability.
Be A Designer doesn’t just handle production. We only undertake pure contract manufacturing for VAT-registered individuals and established companies. Those starting from scratch go through the full programme: it’s the safest way to avoid spending money on production before knowing what to sell, to whom and at what price.
Prototypes and production stay close: we go to the workshop instead of sending emails.
From idea to product, in six stages.
The complete Be A Designer programme. If you already have a collection and suppliers, we’ll start with the stage that suits your needs.
Strategy
Who the brand is for, who it competes with, and the price at which it stands up.
Collection
A carefully planned capsule, not an endless catalogue.
Materials
Fabrics, leathers, trims, small fittings and buttons selected before the prototype is made.
Prototype
The garment becomes real: it is tried on, corrected and approved.
Production
In the short supply chain within 30 km of Gallarate, with quality control.
Launch
Content, e-commerce and distribution: a brand only sells when people know it exists.
Why Be A Designer and not just any manufacturer.
| Generic manufacturer | Be A Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Asks you for a ready-made pattern. | We start from your drawing, even just a sketch, and develop the tech pack and pattern with you. |
| Materials | The prototype is made with whatever fabric is at hand. | Fabrics, finishes and trims are selected before the prototype is made, so it is already very close to the final garment. |
| Fittings | One prototype, and we'll see. | Fitting trials and alterations before final approval, including via video call. |
| Supply chain | Often far away; sometimes you don’t know where. | Workshops within 30 km of Gallarate. |
| After the sample collection | The prototype is done; the rest is your problem. | Production, content and launch, all handled by the same team. |
What a prototype costs, and what a sample collection costs.
These are indicative figures. The actual cost depends on the type of garment, the fabrics and the number of designs, and we will set this out in our free quote.
| Item | Approximate cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype | around €80 | Always preceded by research into fabrics, finishes and trims |
| Prototype with pattern | around €250 | Pattern for the garment plus prototype |
| Sample collection, basic capsule | €2,000–4,000 | 6–8 simple items: T-shirts, sweatshirts, basic trousers |
| Sample collection, intermediate capsule | €5,000–10,000 | 8–12 items, ranging from basics to more elaborate pieces |
| Sample collection, premium capsule | €10,000–20,000 and above | 10–15 complex garments: jackets, coats, structured garments |
| Brand labels | €0.15–0.20 each | Manufactured on an industrial scale, in a batch of around 1,000 items |
A simple prototype takes 2–3 weeks to produce, whilst jackets and outerwear can take up to 4–6 weeks. It takes an average of 3–4 months from the initial idea to the finished sample collection: to be ready for a season, it is best to start 8–10 months in advance.
Frequently asked questions.
At Be A Designer, a prototype costs around 80 euros, or 250 euros including the pattern. Before the prototype comes the search for fabrics, trims, small fittings and buttons: it’s never just the prototype plus the pattern.
For simple prototypes, such as T-shirts and sweatshirts, it takes 2–3 weeks. For more complex garments, such as jackets or coats, the lead time can be as long as 4–6 weeks. Be A Designer sets out a timetable during the initial consultation.
It depends on the number and complexity of the garments. As a rough guide, a sample collection of 6–8 simple garments costs 2,000–4,000 euros, a collection of 8–12 mixed garments costs €5,000–10,000, and a collection of 10–15 complex garments, such as jackets and outerwear, costs €10,000–20,000 or more.
On average, it takes 3–4 months from the initial idea to the finished sample collection, including material research, pattern-making, prototyping and revisions. To be ready for a season, Be A Designer recommends starting at least 8–10 months in advance.
It isn’t necessary. If you already have the fabrics, you can bring them along; otherwise, Be A Designer will take care of sourcing and purchasing the fabrics, trims and small components, always before the prototype is made.
Yes. Fitting sessions take place at the Be A Designer studio in Gallarate or via video call, with photographs taken.
No. If you only have a rough sketch or an idea, Be A Designer will work with you to develop the technical drawing, technical specifications and pattern before the prototype is made.
Yes. Production takes place in workshops within 30 km of Gallarate, with an indicative minimum of around 50 items per model, i.e. around 10 per size. Pure contract manufacturing is reserved for VAT-registered individuals and established companies; those starting from scratch follow the full process.
What else do we do for brands?
Let’s talk about your prototype.
A free call to help you work out where to start, the timeframe involved and the budget required. No obligation.
Or write to [email protected]
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