Empowering Apparel Entrepreneurs and the U.S. Fashion Community
FABRIC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ecosystem for Fashionpreneurs that provides connections, guidance, tools, opportunities, and a ROADMAP for domestic small-batch manufacturing.
We’re also the indie fashion HQ. From DIY creators to established brands, our directory, calendar, classifieds, and events unite the people, tools, and resources that foster collaboration, connection, and exposure for everyone!
FABRIC guides apparel entrepreneurs through domestic small-batch manufacturing with the expertise, connections, and a ROADMAP to take a sewn product from concept to production.
Our Secret Sauce? The ROADMAP
Small-batch domestic manufacturing is different. It’s not taught in school, and most brands struggle to figure it out.
The ROADMAP is the shortcut. Check out this 9-minute teaser from our 2-hour From Protos to Production video - just a glimpse of the hundreds of videos, docs, tools, tips, referrals, and lessons inside the ROADMAP.
- Understand the full sewn product lifecycle
- Learn sourcing, costing, specs, textiles, QC, industry contracts, timing, and essential knowledge before starting
- Connect with U.S. contractors and industry experts
- Organize and store your brand’s IP in real-time in industry-standard language
All self-guided, virtual, and built from decades of real experience + a la carte consulting as needed.
A National Virtual Resource with a Physical Arizona HQ
FABRIC is not just for Arizona. Anyone in the U.S. can:
- Use the ROADMAP to navigate small batch domestic manufacturing
- Take classes
- Get support from consultants, mentors, or service providers
- Utilize the Industry Directory, Classifieds, and Events Calendar.
In Arizona, creators can also access state-of-the-art equipment, collaborate in a creative space, and showcase their work.
For Entrepreneurs, Designers, DIY Makers, Upcyclers, Teachers, Students & Fashion Lovers
Whether you’re launching a fashion brand, upcycling tees into art, providing a cut/sew service, teaching the next generation, or simply want to connect with the industry…FABRIC is your HQ.
- Apparel entrepreneurs & brands - Startup to established
- DIY fashion designers, makers, and upcyclers
- Educators and students
- Industry professionals, service providers, and contractors
- Fashion lovers and community supporters
An Award-Winning Legacy
FABRIC has:
- Supported 2,000+ brands since 2016
- Provided $15M+ in free/discounted programs and services
- Earned national recognition from the White House and industry leaders
- Partnered with global supply chain partners
- Pivoted and innovated through every challenge - from manufacturing 800K medical gowns during the pandemic, to embracing technology ahead of the industry, to leading industry change, and championing sustainability before it was fashionable.
Built by Designers. Rooted in Sustainability.
Co-founded by award-winning designers Angela Johnson and Sherri Barry, FABRIC was created to make the fashion industry more ethical, sustainable, and accessible.
Angela Johnson
Angela, a FIDM graduate, got her start in the 1990s, working in production management for the streetwear brands X-Large (Mike D. from the Beastie Boy's brand) and X-Girl (Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth's brand) in Los Angeles, where she learned the secret sauce to domestic small-batch manufacturing. That knowledge enabled her to launch her own successful brand MonkeyWench with Days of Our Lives star Christie Clark and discover the secret to producing small batches in L.A. - a rare achievement for most startups. After relocating to Arizona, she shifted her focus to upcycling T-shirts into couture ballgowns and helping other apparel entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life using the samebehind-the-seams know-how.
Sherri Barry
Sherri came from the business side of fashion after a successful career in retail, marketing, and executive leadership. She launched her own fashion brand and discovered firsthand how difficult it was to produce apparel locally and responsibly. Although she now runs her own successful fashion brand Adea Everyday Luxury, that experience inspired her to join forces with Angela and co-create FABRIC…a place where others could access the tools, knowledge, and support they wished they’d had when starting out.
Together, they built FABRIC to teach the ROADMAP, provide an HQ, and champion the growth of an ethical and sustainable U.S. fashion industry.
Your design mentor - Guiding you through development and small batch domestic manufacturing
Your business mentor - Guiding you through business startup, marketing & sales
Our Mission: People-focused
Our Mission is to provide apparel entrepreneurs with training, guidance, innovative industry resources, and access to no-minimum and on-demand manufacturing, so they can build sustainable fashion businesses domestically.
In other words, we empower apparel entrepreneurs by making the secret of domestic small batch production accessible to all.
Our Vision: Planet-focused
Our Vision is to establish Arizona as a modern fashion industry capital for the U.S. by creating a tech-based, sustainable, closed-loop fashion industry ecosystem that attracts and supports direct-to-consumer apparel brands.
In other words, we believe reshoring and slow fashion can transform the industry into something ethical, local, and sustainable.
Join the Community!
Join the thousands of creators, brands, and professionals using FABRIC to grow their fashion businesses.
- Book an Informational Tour to meet us, learn more, and get answers
- Become an Apparel Entrepreneur and use the ROADMAP to get your sewn product made
- Subscribe below for insider opportunities (grants, events, news, classes, media requests, and more)
- Join the Directory for added exposure
- Participate in or attend events
- Take a class
- Find a job
- Use the space
- Become an Affiliate Partner Service Provider
Ready to Develop & Manufacture Your Products?
Click the Get Started button, and you'll be guided through a series of steps designed to:
- Provide detailed information about our services first.
- Answer common questions like “What will it cost?”, “How long will it take?” and “Can you make my product?”
- Schedule an informational tour with our co-founder.
- Begin the onboarding process with our team if you are moving forward with us..
Empowering Apparel Entrepreneurs & Giving Back
Since our inception in 2016, FABRIC has proudly helped over 2000+ fashion entrepreneurs. We have donated over $15M in discounted programs/services "giveback" to the community with the help of hundreds of registered volunteers.
YEARS
BRANDS
GIVEBACK TO COMMUNITY