Case Study: Custom Merino Wool Fabric for a Theatre Costume Workshop in Vietnam
Source:Silk Hydrangea Bushes /
Time:2026-09-18
Merino Wool Fabric for a Theatre Costume Workshop in Vietnam
A Theatre Costume Workshop approached us with a merino wool fabric requirement for the Vietnam market. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive freight and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- A zipper puller that broke under pull test at the warehouse
- MOQ that was quoted per colourway rather than per style
- Elastic that lost recovery after three washes

What we specified
| Item | Merino Wool Fabric |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Theatre Costume Workshop |
| Market | Vietnam |
| Order volume | 10,000 pieces across 4 specifications |
| Base material | Wood |
| Standard size | 450 gsm |
| Finish | Matte Black Coating |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 6 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Wood and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Pearlescent Coating after strike-off tests showed better durability.
- A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.

Result
- 10,000 pieces delivered inside the 6-week window.
- Unit cost held within 3.0% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 2.0%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Lock the material standard before sampling. Once the base changes, every downstream approval has to be redone and the calendar slips.
Planning something similar?
Share the programme details and we will propose two alternatives — one optimised for unit cost, one for lead time — and let you choose.