Since going to University I have been mastering my skills digitally and using this platform to creatively communicate and explore designs and ideas. Within the digital world the quickest and easiest way of exporting files to various people around the world is via the internet.
When a garment is put into production, technical drawings are produced to communicate ideas and garment details to the pattern cutters and machinists. These are essential in the fashion industry and are drawn very accurately to avoid misunderstanding and sometimes, costly mistakes.
I have recently been creating these technical drawings for Fortis where I have communicated the design concept using illustrator. Most of my illustrator skills are self-taught, however, from undertaking these technical drawings I been able to explore easier ways of producing them. I have also learnt how important they are in industry and how they explain all the important aspects of a product.
Each garment at Fortis has specific specification sheets, where a garment is communicated through its outline, seams and utilities which make up the product. By doing this, the team at Fortis understand the standard features which make up the product.
Due to Fortis manufacturing very high endurance and sporting clothing, the products have to include hardwearing features. For example, military graded buttons, zips, poppers, Velcro and buckles! These items all have to be added on a technical drawing if they are to be included on a garment.
A current project I am working on is producing a file which is a guide for any team member joining or needing reassurance when on the phone, at tradeshows or in the showroom. The file will include the technical drawings, the different pocket types we have, the prices of the products, the cost of alteration or adaption to a garment and FAQs. This file will become the FORTIS BIBLE!
I am looking forward to undertaking this objective set and continue to develop my illustrative work digitally to that I am able to focus on meeting the requirements of industry standard.
A previous Technical Drawing for a university project! These Technical Drawings can also be filled with your chosen fabrics! The hunting print was designed by Denise Woodcock who I was lucky enough to collaborate with.
One thing that strikes me about Fortis and has done since I started in February last year is the fact that Fortis is a small and determined team. I have acknowledged that in order to strive in a business, a team of committed people is key!
Oliver gave me an insight into how he created Fortis into what it is today and the rules that Fortis hold to make it work. The most stand out rule for me was No.3 “work together – T.E.A.M – together everyone achieves more, share your thoughts and problems”. Everything that is created and made at Fortis is down to the team. Without the sales team, products wouldn’t be ordered, without the cutters, products couldn’t be manufactured, and without everyone inside Fortis, Fortis wouldn’t exist! Every individual has a role to play and their roles combined make the Brand work.
Fortis as a Company has a real family feel to it! I am lucky enough to have extremely supportive colleagues who are always pushing me to achieve; we all work very hard. As we go through show season (there is a show every weekend till October) we all start to become drained; some more than others but this can often lead to a tired unenthusiastic team. Oliver made it clear that this will happen but we have to take our snappy tired selves and with a “fist full of salt” keep working as a TEAM!
I came out of this meeting feeling contentment; I realised I had become part of this family and that my role was just as important as the next and without one another Fortis wouldn’t be Fortis.
I am forever grateful for the opportunities that Fortis have given me but I am more grateful for Fortis making me aware of how important being in a TEAM is!
On Thursday, Annabel kicked off the day by publishing the BIG FORTIS SALE on Facebook. The sale was made up of old stock we had in the showroom which had accumulated over the years. This proved popular as many of the items were at bargain prices; the phones did not stop ringing!
We used our Facebook Page as the sale platform and the items were placed in an album for customers to scroll through. This made it easy for them! However, for the Fortis Team it was a little more difficult as we had to sift through the list to find each item sold and remove it from the list to avoid the product being sold twice. In true Fortis spirit this went exceedingly well and many of the items were sold. I even grabbed two items myself; a discontinued bomber jacket and a branded gilet!
We initially started the sale with the jackets which Annabel uploaded to our page. We then moved onto the trousers, so Ruth and I , spent the early part of the morning photographing the trouser sale rail and writing down all the descriptions. Once these were uploaded, more customers hit the phones and trousers were bought!
Doing a sale like this has resulted in increasing our following at Fortis and our customers expanding their Fortis wardrobe! It has been inspiring listening to our customers points of view on how special our products are. Feedback is pivotal to our continuing development and improvement but it also a great way to cement customer relationships. Our Customers are our ambassadors, so good customer service leads to customers who are faithful and committed to our brand.
Lots of parcels head out the doors of Fortis each day and you get to see a variety of different products. By packing the garments, it helped me recognise them and place the product with its name. It also allows you to understand how the components of the products are combined to make a practical and durable piece of clothing.
Packing Process
Product is placed on packing table
You assign the SOP number on its label with the customer’s order sheet
You check the garment to ensure each component is working (zips, poppers, buckles) and snip any loose threads
You fold the garment nicely
You write on a Fortis Card “ Thank you for your order!”
You place the garment and the card inside a packing bag
You seal the bag shut with Fortis branded tape
You then enter all customer delivery details on DPD and print off the label
And finally, Stick the label on the parcel
During this process, you are also able to identify any bespoke orders and take photos of them for social media and reference. I take much delight in undertaking the packing and seeing all the made to order products head out to customers.
The InTweed HQ is under Fortis Clothing and is run in the same office. I have been working with Ruth to improve the current order forms so it makes it easier for both the customer and staff when taking an order. The order involves, taking measurements, selecting different options and choosing the cloth and lining for the item.
Ruth and I designing new order forms
InTweed offers a range of made to measure garments including jackets, field coats, ladies dress coats and much more. When ordering product online, the process is easy to follow and features images which shows what each option means. However, when a customer orders in the show room or at a show it becomes difficult to show the customer the options that are available. Therefore, I have created and designed a style guide for the InTweed Staff to use to show the customer what we mean by each option and also showcase how bespoke you can make your garment. From the style guide, I have produced an order form which corresponds across our online shop, the showroom and at the tradeshows.
The InTweed Style Guide in working progress
As we continue to meet the requirements of our Customer, we have recently added more options for them to choose from. Development and improvement in our offering is key to InTweed, so part of my role will be to ensure that I keep the forms and style guide up to date and can work with each other.
At Fortis we care about our customer and want to ensure that they enjoy their customer experience by understanding the unique product they are investing in. I have learnt that customer relationships are important in business and by providing long-lasting relationships great garments can be produced.
On Friday, I was in the office on my own whilst the others headed off to another tradeshow. The office was so quiet but my productivity levels were high!
Throughout the day, I started creating some social media posts. During the busy season of trade shows, as a team we sometimes struggle to find the time to post good content on our social sites. I therefore created a social media table which included the picture, the caption and the hashtags. This way social media can still be of top quality and easy to post.
I have learnt that the most easiest way of attracting customers is through social media. Everyone is able to access it and also it makes people want the product when it has been seen in the environment that the product is made for …its almost like free advertising.
I have recently read a book called ‘How to be an Overnight Success’ by Maria Hatzistefanis and she explains how media platforms are a great way to build an empire. It is therefore important to create ‘good content’ about your brand to aid in building your following. I also learnt how to write relevant and interesting captions as well as using the right hashtags to engage the audience you want to attract.
There are three social media accounts at Fortis. These are posted using Instagram which is then linked to Facebook.
Fortis Clothing – @fortis_clothing
InTweed – @intweed
Fortis Factory – @fortisfactory
Fortis Clothing is the main account for the company, whilst Fortis Factory features “the inside peak to the world of British manufacturing”. On this platform, it highlights the team, the design concepts and ideas, the manufacturing, the customers and lastly what is is like working and being part of Fortis.
InTweed is the sister company to Fortis and has been manufacturing bespoke suits since 2012. They supply customers with beautiful tailored suits as well as an offering of ready to wear garments. Each suit is hand cut and made to order with a variety choice of cloths.
I find InTweed fascinating from the array of cloths you can choose from to the amount of bespoke options which can be added to create a unique suit.
The first social media post which I created and that I posted on Fortis was to do with the SAS Smock which I highlighted in the previous blog. This post reached a lot of people and attracted a person to buy the product. The history behind the garment intrigues people and also shows how durable the clothing at Fortis is.
The second social media post was influenced by a product that I was packing up for a customer. I put this on Fortis Factory to show how the company can add customers ideas to a product so that it is unique and practical to them. Being adaptable with our products to meet the Customer’s needs is what makes Fortis such a special brand … not many other companies are doing this. A customer who saw this post also ordered this item.
Lastly, on the InTweed account I used a photo which had been taken during a photoshoot. The picture showcased the jacket, the tweed and how it could be used to smarten a casual look.
Sophie and I were tasked to take some product photography for social media and website content. I enjoyed carrying out this task as it is was an opportunity to be creative and use some of my skill set.
When we took photos of product we were able to style the shots to showcase how our coats could be worn with other Fortis accessories.
The photographic garments were:
Legacy Phase 3 Shorts
SAS Smock Woodsman Option
SAS Smock
Cambridge Coat
Field Smock Woodsman Option
Bib and Brace
Small selection of photos taken
My favourite product of this shoot was the SAS Smock with Woodsman and without.
The woodsman option at Fortis is quite popular and can be added to many garments.
What is the woodsman option?
The woodsman option is for customers who need their product to go to the full length of battling the elements of the outdoors. It is a CORDURA fabric that can be added to the exterior of the garment to add strength to areas such as the knees and elbows where pressure may be applied and protects the garment from water and abrasion. Woodsman is tough enough for all adventures in the outdoors and is highly durable. It is a nylon fabric with a cotton feel woven tightly to increase the waterproofing of the garment.
SAS with woodsman – seen on underside of sleeve and shoulder.
What is the SAS Smock?
Originally, SAS Smocks were created for Special Operatives by the team at Fortis. They first encountered Military Wear when their founder Hugh Massy-Birch had a growing interest in textiles and specialist fabrics and started manufacturing for Special Forces, MOD and other Military groups. The SAS is the ultimate product at Fortis which is created through a system that uses a fully Waterproof / Breathable ultra-lightweight lining brilliant for any outdoor activity. The outer of the coat is made from 50/50 Ripstop created in Devon and has a great waterproof finish making it one of the best quality endurance products on the market. The seams are taped throughout the coat to ensure no water enters. The lining helps shield abrasion, acidity and UV damage which guarantees the smock lasts for years. It is a relatively light flexible coat that can battle all the elements and has many features. The four front pockets help supply storage for numerous objects from binoculars to note pads secured with hardy taped buttons to ensure nothing falls out. As well as the outer pockets, the coat has internal waterproof pockets which will keep any belongings dry that can’t withstand the rain. It also features Velcro hood and cuff adjustments and a draw cord waist for a comfortable fit.
This coat describes Fortis as a company – ‘wanting to provide top quality, durable products that provide ‘peak performance’.
I have had numerous opportunities at Fortis already, but one of my favourite opportunities is going to trade shows and meeting the customers of Fortis.
Over Easter weekend I kicked off my work experience at Kelmarsh.
On Saturday, we set off from base at 8am and arrived at Kelmarsh around lunchtime. The van was packed full – size set samples, banners, flags, clothing rails, mannequins and all our camping gear. When setting up the trade stand, there is always a similar layout which makes it much easier to set everything as you know where it goes. The trade stand is put together to appeal to the customer in which Fortis wish to attract.
We had gundog trials taking place to the right of us and therefore all our gundog training vests were on this side of the tent. The trousers and accessories were then put to the back of the marquee on tables, accessible to browsing so that the customer could read our banners and understand what each trousers design was used for. The flagship coats and jackets were placed near the front with the rest of the range set out around the marquee.
The marquee is extremely well branded and features tall flags and banners at the front. Oliver, my boss, always says “we are easy to find…we have the tallest flags on the circuit!”. I can proudly say that the new flags and banners were all created by me and I was super pleased with them. The inside of the marquee is designed with “British” in mind, the rugs have union jacks on and a banner reads “Made in Devon”. This encourages more clientele to enter as everyone loves a British Brand.
Fortis and sister company InTweed Tradestand
In the evening, we set off to Kit and Kat’s (aka show mum and dad) owners of Muntjac Trading – gundog equipment specialist where we celebrated Kit’s 60th with fajitas and cake.
Kits Birthday!
After a chilly night’s sleep in the marquee, we dug into a bacon and egg sarny and coffee (the ultimate morning kick-starter). As customers flee in, we start relaying our sales speech…most common “Everything is designed and manufactured in Devon”.
Over the course of the weekend, I speak to a range of different clients, some who want gun dog vests, some who need a fully waterproof and practical coat for shooting and some who need every day hard wearing trousers. From this, I am able to suggest which product which best suits their needs.
At tradeshows you also start to understand which customers are huge Fortis Fans as they describe how many products they have and how amazing the products really are. This is great to hear as it shows; Fortis are doing what they say on the tin – Durable, high quality, water/windproof clothing!
Towards the end of the day, customers start to disperse and we close up for the night; takings are counted, stock is refilled on the rails and our beds are made for the night ahead! In recognition that we had a good day, we headed to the show pub for a drink and a game of cards. This is really nice to do with the team – it’s a great way to bond…especially when winning a card game is so competitive! With Kit and Kat being so close, we went and had a steak dinner with them – possibly the best steak I have had and chatted about current affairs and the big trade season ahead.
Ruth and I found a Countrymans Fairs Chair
The next morning consisted of the same routine, and as more customers entered throughout the day – more items were being bought. The buying process is very unique at Fortis. If you were a customer entering the Fortis Trade stand, you would be greeted by the team and one member would explain the background of Fortis and how the clothes are made. Once you have chosen a style you liked, you would try it on and decide what size you wanted to buy. You would then be taken to process your order which would consist of writing all your details (name, phone number, email address). The Fortis Staff would then write your order out for you including any extras you wanted (D-Rings, longer sleeves, different pocket) and you would make payment. This order would then be taken back to the HQ, processed, cut, made and then sent to you! I don’t know many other British Brands that are doing this.
Fortis released a new product at Kelmarsh – the Bib and Brace
At the end of the day, the trade stand was packed away into the Luton Van and we made our journey home. After two hours on the road, the golden arches were made visible and a McDonalds dinner was much needed.
Overall, completing a Tradeshow is a great experience and is an excellent way to get to know the customers. It is also fabulous working alongside a great team and making people aware of how special Fortis is as a Company.
My interest and passion lies in the outdoor clothing sector of British Fashion. Whilst I have had the opportunity to combine my university degree with a work placement at Fortis, my current project is now to expand on this placement. I am going to explore what makes Fortis such a strong brand within the outdoors clothing sector, how history has inspired and influenced their designs and the impact from digital influence. From this placement, I will develop my understanding of the customer, improve my insight into the market and meet the industry-based skills required to further my career and support me developing my own brand.
Who are Fortis Clothing?
Team Fortis at British Shooting Show 2019
Fortis was previously known as Country Covers and is the product of farm diversification.
Fortis Clothing, previously known as Country Covers was founded by Hugh Massy-Birch in 1997 where he grew a business in tyre covers and tough waterproof car seat covers. Hugh had a growing interest in textiles and specialist fabrics and learnt about manufacturing for the special forces, MOD and other military groups. He then set up a manufacturing business in a converted lamb barn and started designing unique coats, jackets, trousers and smocks for outdoor countrymen and women.
Country Covers was known as a unique company on the market where they used military grade fabrics and waterproofing which was embraced by the civilian world.
In 2016, Oliver Massy-Birch took over the company and renamed it ‘Fortis Clothing’ which he felt reflected the company perfectly.
jessicaboulton 