RALPH LAUREN EXPANDS ITS ON-DEMAND MANUFACTURING PROGRAM

by Stephen Garner

This holiday season, Ralph Lauren is evolving its on-demand manufacturing experience to include one of its best-selling outerwear pieces as part of the brand’s Create Your Own (CYO) custom program.

The packable quilted jacket, which uses recycled nylon and polyester fabrics, as well as recycled down-alternative insulation, will join the on-demand manufacturing service, which also includes the iconic Polo Shirt, crewneck sweaters, fleece, and oxford shirts.

The introduction of the custom packable jacket marks one of the first times an apparel company applies this type of on-demand manufacturing technology to outerwear. There is no pre-made inventory – the product is cut and sewn to order. Customers decide their own style of the jacket from mock neck to hooded or vest. They choose the base color, sleeve, hood, and zipper colors, and then further personalize the outerwear with a choice of polo pony logo colors then add a name or personal message to the inside label.

With this expansion of the custom program, the brand continues to explore the world of on-demand manufacturing, a model with both immediate and future benefits, including reducing product inventory and waste, eliminating the need for markdowns, and allowing for rapid fulfillment and agility in meeting consumer desires and taste.  As traditional manufacturing processes give way to new technologies, the company looks to be at the forefront of what is emerging as a revolutionary new approach to meeting the needs of today’s consumer.

The custom packable jacket is now available on ralphlauren.com in the U.S. and EMEA across men’s, women’s, and kids. All customized pieces will ship directly to consumers with a complimentary packable pouch that can also be personalized.