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Articles and notes

Long-form notes on sourcing, vetting factories, and running production with Portuguese clothing manufacturers.

Source Fashion London vs NovaSupplier: Why Independent Brands Are Skipping the Trade Show
Matias Santos, Founder
Source Fashion London is Europe's biggest fashion sourcing trade show, and for large retail buyers, it does its job. But if you're an independent clothing brand founder trying to find verified Portuguese manufacturers, go direct, and move fast, the trade show model is the wrong tool. This post breaks down exactly what Source Fashion offers, who it's actually built for, and why platforms like NovaSupplier are replacing it for the founders who care about speed, relationships, and margins.
Apr 27, 2026
How to Find Clothing Manufacturers in Portugal Without a Sourcing Agent
Matias Santos, Founder
If you've been trying to find a manufacturer in Portugal, you already know the problem. The good factories don't come up on Google. Trade directories lead nowhere. And every time you ask someone for help, they point you to a sourcing agent who charges 10–15% on every order, forever. This guide covers why Portugal is worth the effort, why finding manufacturers there is harder than it should be, and the specific methods that actually work, without going through an intermediary.
Apr 22, 2026

How to Get More International Clients as a Manufacturer

Matias Santos, Founder

Struggling to find new buyers overseas? Most manufacturers rely on word of mouth and trade shows, both of which are slow and unpredictable. This guide covers the specific strategies factories are using in 2026 to get found online by international brands, build trust with founders they've never met in person, and turn a single sample order into a long-term, repeat relationship instead of a one-off transaction.

Apr 21, 2026

Why Smart Brands Are Moving Their Sourcing to Europe in 2026

Matias Santos, Founder

Tariffs are quietly reshaping global trade, and brands that rely solely on Chinese suppliers are feeling the squeeze. Here's why sourcing from Europe is becoming a strategic move in 2026, not a sentimental one. This guide covers the cost and reliability calculations behind the shift, what founders find when they compare landed cost and lead time side by side, and why quality control stops being a guessing game once production happens closer to home.

Apr 21, 2026

How to Find European Suppliers in 2026 (Without Getting Burned)

Matias Santos, Founder

Looking to source from Europe in 2026? Every year, independent brands lose thousands of euros and months of runway to suppliers who turn out to be trading companies, unresponsive after a deposit, or simply unable to produce what they promised. This guide walks through the red flags that show up before the money moves, the verification steps that actually confirm a company is a real manufacturer, and the most common mistakes founders make when they're in a hurry to lock in a factory.

Apr 21, 2026

How to Find a Clothing Manufacturer in Europe (Complete Guide for Brands)

Matias Santos, Founder

Finding the right clothing manufacturer is one of the most important steps when building a fashion brand. This guide explains exactly how startups can find reliable clothing manufacturers in Europe, understand minimum order quantities, and choose the right production partner for their product, without wasting months on factories that were never actually a fit to begin with in the first place.

Apr 17, 2026

Source Fashion London vs NovaSupplier: Why Independent Brands Are Skipping the Trade Show

How to Find Clothing Manufacturers in Portugal Without a Sourcing Agent

How to Get More International Clients as a Manufacturer

Why Smart Brands Are Moving Their Sourcing to Europe in 2026

How to Find European Suppliers in 2026 (Without Getting Burned)

How to Find a Clothing Manufacturer in Europe (Complete Guide for Brands)