GC Apparels is a sourcing studio that provides online retailers with a one-stop solution for clothing manufacturing. The studio’s trendy and fashionable apparel are designed, manufactured and shipped out entirely from its end, giving online retailers the convenience of dealing with a single supplier for their desired products. With eminent international clients worldwide, GC Apparels continues to mark itself out as one of the standout sourcing studios in the market.
Founded in 2017 by Soumen Biswas, the idea for GC Apparels was hatched when Soumen was working in a reputable sourcing company in China and handling the account of Zalando, a German company that is said to have started the e-commerce boom in fashion. “Being at a company which many considered a pioneer in fashion e-commerce gave me deep insight into how the industry operated,” says Soumen. “What I realised was that private online retailers found it difficult to do business with factories as they tend to want retailers to order in large bulks. This was at odds with an e-commerce business model, which prefers to order a diverse range of products in low quantities.”
And because Soumen was based in China at the time, he knew for a fact that the relentless churn of Chinese clothing factories did not suit most e-retailers. This was a gap in the market that Soumen sought to fill with GC Apparels.
“We broke the mould with GC Apparels, in that we have a low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). This allows e-retailers to widen their range of products while keeping the order quantity of each product small. This is undoubtedly more efficient.”
Since efficiency is the name of the game, GC Apparels’ one-stop service is a large part of its appeal to e-retailers. The studio handles the designing process for clients who do not have in-house designers, and does so with a keen eye on fashion trends. Statistical data is used to stay ahead of the curve so that GC Apparels’ designs are always in line with the tastes and preferences of the masses. When coupled with the excellent design skills of its in-house designers, GC Apparels’ clothes appear tailored-made for the modern individual.
“We buy comprehensive data from companies in Europe and the USA which informs each step of our design process. For instance, if a designer wants to design a dress in a certain shade of red, they would first consult the data to see if their inclinations align with that of the masses.”
GC Apparels utilises 3D designing software to conceptualise its sleek clothing. Instead of using actual fabrics to create multiple iterations of design mock-ups, 3D designing software enables designers to come up with virtual renditions of their design with lifelike accuracy, which enables the design process to be quicker and more cost-effective. It also plays into the studio’s commitment to sustainability as it reduces the amount of fabric waste generated. All of GC Apparels’ products are produced in compliance factories with BSCI & SEDEX certifications and make use of organic and sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, recycled polyester and many more.
“Sustainability is a core tenet of our business,” says Soumen. “We are one of the few sourcing studios in Asia which offer sustainable products at a low MOQ.”
The uniqueness of GC Apparels meant that e-commerce companies quickly took notice. In fact, the studio’s very first client was Zalora, one of the leading fashion e-retailers in South East Asia, and the two companies continued to work together until 2018. Soumen is grateful for the chance that Zalora took with his studio, as it allowed him to grow his fledgling business and eventually garner a strong clientele. “Zalora saw the potential in our business model. They gave us a platform to establish our studio and show other retailers our unique qualities. For that, I am very thankful.”
And while GC Apparels’ services naturally appealed to e-retailers, it is the studio’s commitment to stellar customer service that turns them into loyal clients. “We are an international team of English speakers who are available 24/7 to see to any of our clients’ needs. We want to give our clients the best service possible, and I believe that this is what would ultimately convince them to switch to our services for good,” Soumen says.
Soumen has come far with GC Apparels, but he is by no means ready to rest on his laurels – he has ambitions of working with all the top e-commerce players. And while those are lofty dreams indeed, Soumen is more than eager to give it his best shot.
“I believe in the power of perseverance. I am determined to continue persevering until GC Apparels becomes one of the best sourcing studios in the world.”
