TEO Garments is a vertically-integrated apparel manufacturer specializing in cut & sew knitwear, offering a comprehensive suite of apparel solutions highly sought after by internationally-renowned retail brands and clothing labels. With a focus on wholesaling quality and innovative products, they serve brand-owners, specialty retailers, and department stores globally. TEO Garments seamlessly integrates with their customers' businesses, serving as an extension of their operations throughout the entire apparel supply chain. They excel at proficiency in conceptualization, product development, design, materials sourcing, production, and merchandising. 

During my first few weeks, I was given the opportunity to assist the product development team to create front and back activewear CADS for several brands. I was able to come up with my own designs and show their fit and construction. upon development, these designs were put into a design proposal for potential buyers. The design proposals included CADS, fabric swatches, CLO3D samples, and inspiration images. The product development team had to create a digital proposal and also a physical one, which included hundreds of fabric swatches and even sewn samples with tech packs. This allowed buyers to decide if they wanted to purchase either our fabrics, designs, or tech packs for quick manufacturing. 

I worked on tech packs to send to our partner manufacturing mills for production. I would take measurements of already existing samples, photograph them, and put all the information in Excel. Included in our tech packs was a bill of materials, grading sheet, and specific details of a garment that needed to be highlighted for our factories to re-create. Every small detail was important, and if not, it could lead to a rejected sample. Tech packs are tedious, but absolutely necessary for a brand to succeed and stay in budget. I also was able to source fabric for A/W 2025 and S/S 2026 by looking through their materials collection of fabric swatches and propose what fabrics would work with what garment. 

When I shared my goal was to one day have my own business, I realized I knew little of what goes on behind the scenes in running a brand. My time with TEO Garments has offered me a comprehensive view of the multifaceted nature of managing a fashion brand. At the outset of my internship, my knowledge of product development was quite limited. However, over the span of these eight weeks, I gained invaluable insights not only into product development but also into sales, merchandising, and supply chain management. I am confident that this internship has provided me with the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel in the business side of fashion, paving the way for my future success in managing and growing my own brand.