How Our Fabrics Are Sourced Across Europe

At Saint and Sofia, every collection begins with fabric. Before silhouettes are finalised, before fittings take place and before campaigns are photographed, the materials themselves are carefully sourced, tested and developed through a dedicated process focused on quality, durability and feel.

Fabric shapes everything about a garment. It affects comfort, movement, softness, fit and longevity. The right material can transform a simple silhouette into something elevated and luxurious, which is why sourcing remains one of the most important parts of the design and production process at Saint and Sofia.

Today, Saint and Sofia works with a trusted international network of suppliers, mills and makers across Europe and beyond to source premium fabrics, trims and materials for every collection. From luxury womenswear fabrics and Italian trims to leather goods and accessories, each component is selected with a strong focus on craftsmanship, traceability and long-term quality.

A Dedicated In House Sourcing Team

All fabric sourcing at Saint and Sofia is managed by the brand’s in-house sourcing team led by Lily Cleall-Harding.

Lily has worked with Saint and Sofia since 2020 and oversees a team of 15 specialists responsible for sourcing the fabrics and materials used across every ready-to-wear and accessories collection. The team works closely with designers, product developers and production teams to ensure each material not only looks beautiful, but also performs correctly across manufacturing and everyday wear.

The sourcing process involves constant communication with suppliers, fabric mills and production partners across multiple countries. Swatches, prototypes and material developments are reviewed continuously to ensure fabrics meet both design expectations and quality standards before production begins.

The goal is always to create clothing that feels elevated, comfortable and built to last.

Working Closely With Turkish Fabric Mills

A significant proportion of Saint and Sofia’s fabrics are sourced from specialist suppliers and mills in Turkey.

Turkey remains one of the world’s leading regions for premium fabric manufacturing thanks to its expertise in cottons, jersey, tailoring fabrics and knitwear materials. The country also offers strong production infrastructure alongside high-quality finishing and dyeing techniques.

Saint and Sofia works with carefully selected Turkish partners to source many of the soft touch fabrics used throughout collections. This includes materials developed specifically for comfort, drape and softness, helping create the relaxed tailoring and elevated everyday dressing the brand is known for.

The long-standing relationships developed with these suppliers allow the team to work collaboratively on fabric innovation and quality development season after season.

Italian Craftsmanship For Trims And Accessories

Alongside fabrics themselves, trims play an essential role in shaping the final quality and finish of every garment.

Saint and Sofia sources buttons, zips and specialist trims from some of Italy’s finest makers. Italy remains internationally recognised for exceptional craftsmanship within luxury fashion manufacturing, particularly across hardware, tailoring components and finishing details.

These smaller elements may seem subtle, but they significantly impact how a garment feels and functions. Beautifully engineered zips, premium buttons and luxury metal hardware all contribute to creating a more refined final product.

The brand also works with Italian suppliers to source jewellery, scarves and belts, ensuring a consistent focus on craftsmanship and premium material quality across accessories collections.

Every Fabric Is Stress Tested

Before any style moves into full production, fabrics undergo extensive testing and review.

Every material is stress tested to ensure it performs correctly through wear, washing and manufacturing processes. The team assesses durability, softness, colour consistency, shrinkage, stretch and overall performance before approving fabrics for production.

This stage is essential because luxury womenswear fabrics must balance beauty with practicality. A fabric should not only look elevated during a photoshoot, but also maintain shape, softness and comfort over time inside a real wardrobe.

The testing process also allows the team to refine materials further where needed before production begins.

Manufacturing Across Europe

Once fabrics and trims have been approved, materials are sent to Saint and Sofia’s in-house production team in Europe.

From there, the team works closely with specialist production units to manufacture each collection while overseeing quality control throughout the process. In Bulgaria alone, Saint and Sofia currently manufactures with 22 different production units specialising across tailoring, knitwear, dresses and ready-to-wear categories.

This network allows the brand to work with specialists who understand different garment types and manufacturing techniques while maintaining close oversight of quality standards and consistency.

Because production happens relatively close to the design and sourcing teams, communication and development processes remain highly collaborative and efficient.

Sourcing Beyond Ready To Wear

The sourcing process extends beyond clothing alone.

Saint and Sofia also sources leather goods from specialist partners in Turkey and India, regions recognised for their expertise in leather craftsmanship and accessories manufacturing. These partnerships allow the brand to develop handbags and leather accessories that combine premium materials with functionality and contemporary design.

Across every category, the same sourcing principles apply: quality, traceability, craftsmanship and long-term wearability.

A Focus On Traceability And Standards

Every Saint and Sofia supplier and production partner is required to offer full traceability alongside internationally recognised quality standards and certifications.

Transparency remains central to the sourcing process because understanding where and how materials are made is essential to creating products responsibly and consistently.

The brand works only with trusted suppliers who share its commitment to quality, ethical manufacturing and long-term partnerships. Ultimately, sourcing is about far more than simply purchasing fabric. It is about building relationships, protecting craftsmanship and ensuring every material contributes to creating clothing that feels elevated, comfortable and made to last.