Product Development is one of the most underrated but essential roles in fashion. You’re the bridge between design, production, and merchandising, making sure great ideas actually make it to stores—on time, on budget, and without issues.

To be a great PD, you need to communicate clearly, anticipate problems, and balance creativity with practicality. Knowing fabrics and construction inside out helps you flag issues before they become costly mistakes. Attention to detail is everything—one small oversight can cause major delays. And when things inevitably go wrong, staying calm and solution-focused is what sets the best apart.

Strong relationships with suppliers make all the difference, too. A good factory partner can help you find alternatives, solve problems, and even push timelines when you really need it. And with fashion constantly evolving, staying curious and always learning will keep you ahead.

At the end of the day, PD is all about making things happen. It’s a tough job, but seeing a product go from sketch to reality makes it all worth it.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in PD?