For Michael Bristow, Managing Director of Michael’s Bridal Fabrics, no two days are ever the same at his company. The company is known for supplying one of largest selections of quality fabrics, dress accessories, edgings and motifs to bridal designers and manufacturers in Europe, Michael gives us an insight into how his contribution brings a wedding dress to life.
So how does Michael know which kinds of fabrics will be a hit amongst designers? “I have been working with textiles since I left school at 16 years old,” says Michael. “I don’t try to do what everyone else is doing, or follow any kind of specific trend. I just select designs/qualities that I like and think are commercially viable. We provide the raw materials to inspire our customers to make the best creations.”
Seeking out new fabric qualities from suppliers in many countries, including France, Japan, South Korea, Italy and India, is just one of his many pivotal roles in the company. Michael laughs, “I actually have three roles, which is the Main Buyer, Sales Director and of course the overall running of the company. My son, Barry, is the Business Development Manager, and he brings in a new younger, dynamic perspective to the business. We are a family business, with 8 family members working here and most people wonder how it works, but for us it really does.”
If they’re not at a trade fair searching for just the right materials, Michael and Barry are criss-crossing the UK, Europe and even as far as Australia to personally meet designers who are interested in seeing their samples. Due to the long hours spent on the road, Michael and his son are used to the frequent travelling. As a plus for potential customers, Michael and his team make it easy for clients by visiting them on location through pre-booked appointments, as well as meeting them at many trade fairs.
When asked how he consults his customers to find the right fabrics, Michael says, “When I present customers with our fabrics, there really is no specific idea of the type of dress the customer has in mind. I don’t tell the client what they should use the material for. I present them with my samples and I hope they gain their inspiration from there. I even once had a client tell me, `I don’t know what I want, but when you come and see me, I know you will have it´. Our clients find the inspiration through our fabrics”, says Michael.
It’s through personal contact that Michael’s Bridal Fabrics has been able to maintain great business relationships with their customers. “We get a lot of feedback from clients themselves. I can recall when a client once said to me, `How do you come and show me the most beautiful fabrics one year, and then you come back the next year with even more beautiful fabrics! ´ It’s those kind of things that you remember,” reflects Michael.
As for what types of fabrics his clients are choosing – that remains be seen on the runway in the 2020/21 collections. After wrapping up the Harrogate Bridal Show 2019 in September, Michael says that many of the recently most popular fabrics are still in demand. Duchess and softer satins, chiffons, lighter, crepe type fabrics – fabrics that are drapey, combined with stretch, in many of new qualities.
Laser-Cut 3D Black Velvet, Laser-Cut 3D Peach-Multi
Michael also reveals to us, “The articles which showed the biggest interest at Harrogate were the laser cut 3D designs, especially our best seller for the past two and half years, which also has a digital print on the laser cut pieces, along with the new design of Velvet with laser cut panels. The other article to show a lot of interest were the crystal beaded back panels.”
Michael’s Bridal Fabric’s next stop after Harrogate is the capital of fashion, at the Premiere Vision Paris and Texworld, where the most inspiring materials of the next season are selected. Michael is keen on seeing the very latest on the market as well as selecting what is still in strong demand by his customers. Michael says, “We always look at what is being offered with an open mind, but we are also likely to be tempted to buy things that are similar to articles that are selling well right now.”
Michael and his team will be exhibiting again at the Textile Forum, London, UK – 16th – 17th October, but we can be sure to see Michael’s Bridal Fabrics exhibiting in Essen and Dusseldorf in 2020. Next year’s full exhibition schedule has yet to be announced! Also latest in the news, Michael’s Bridal Fabrics will be offering the first specifically “Green” environmentally friendly fabrics as a start to what is now a growing trend.
In the meantime, interested customers now have the opportunity to visit their newly launched website and are now able to place orders directly online, check accounts, stock, invoices and much more. Trade customers can contact the company for a link to set up a password to access this information.
For further information, visit Michael’s Bridal Fabrics