Runway-Inspired Pleated Skirt in Merino Wool with Gathered Sleeves
Source:Embroidery Beads /
Time:2026-09-30
Runway-Inspired Pleated Skirt in Merino Wool with Gathered Sleeves
A Beauty Salon Chain approached us to develop a runway-inspired pleated skirt around a single idea: gathered sleeves, executed in merino wool. The capsule was destined for the United Kingdom and needed runway-inspired finishing that reads designer on the rail while staying repeatable in bulk. This case study records the brief, the specification and the delivery.
The challenge
- Fabric hand feel changed between production runs
- Decoration durability failed after two washes
- The sample did not match the runway reference
What we specified
| Product | Runway-Inspired Pleated Skirt |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Beauty Salon Chain |
| Market | the United Kingdom |
| Order volume | 240 pieces across 3 colourways |
| Base material | Merino Wool |
| Signature detail | Gathered Sleeves |
| Size range | Custom grading |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 6 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | BSCI |
How it was built
- Reference garments and moodboards were translated into a measurement spec, not just photos.
- Merino Wool was confirmed with lab dips and a hand-feel approval before grading.
- The pleated skirt was prototyped on the fit model, then revised twice before pre-production.
- Gathered Sleeves was applied in a controlled process to keep every piece consistent.
- Bulk ran with in-line inspection; a photo report was shared before shipment.
Result
- 240 pieces delivered inside the 6-week window.
- Unit cost held within 3.0% of the approved quotation.
- The a Beauty Salon Chain launched on schedule and reordered the same specification next season.
What we would repeat
Keep one process owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not machines.
Planning a similar capsule?
Tell us the quantity, target price and delivery window, and we will build a customisation programme around those three numbers.
