What is deadstock?

Deadstock is the surplus materials manufactured by mills or ordered by designers and brands but never used.

Deadstock can be the result of over production, canceled orders, flaws in the weaving or dye process, or changes at the product design stage.

Many independent designers choose to use existing deadstock materials as a sustainable option versus using a variety of resources to manufacture new virgin materials. Using deadstock also eliminates waste by helping to keep unused fabric from ending up in landfills. The challenge with deadstock is the limited quantities of material which is available. If your design becomes a best seller, you cant just order more fabric to replicate it. But limited quantities are also a strong selling point when your customer knows they are getting a unique, limited edition piece. 

You can source deadstock from mills, jobbers, other designers, flea markets and antique fairs as well as from large platforms such as Queen of Raw and FabScrap which specialize in leftover fabrics. There are smaller platforms focused on luxury European materials such as Wasted Fabrics, Constrvctor in Italy, Nona Source, Fabric Sales in Belgium, and Zero Lab leather deadstock in Florence.

Keep in mind its more affordable, and more sustainable, to source locally versus paying to ship these materials across the world. Ideally you can source your deadstock close to your production facility where ever you produce - whether in China, Europe or the US. Also, don’t forget your own archives and the opportunity to bring back materials from your past collections in new silhouettes.