Background Founded by Shala Tabassi in 1986, Design Knit Inc. is a family-owned knitting mill based in Los Angeles, USA. They specialize in designing and manufacturing knit fabrics for contemporary, athleisure, sportswear, and loungewear markets. Each of their styles is developed with a focus on innovation and high quality. Design Knit pride themselves in working closely with their customer base. Building this relationship is at the core of their brand. The fact that domestic textile manufacturing exists is not very common. It is increasingly rare. Companies that started going overseas for fabrics appear to be learning the significant benefits of shopping local. The Tabassis believe in the idea of ‘made in USA’ and work hard to strengthen that goal.
Products Design Knit manufactures a variety of knit fabrics ranging from basic to novelty. Below is a list of their products: Fabric Capabilities
Jersey Ribs French Terry Fleece Pointelle Thermals Jacquards Mesh Twills Plated Knits Stripes, etc
Yarns
Tencel Modal Supima Micro Modal Linen Blends Rayon Wool Blends Ecolife Recycled Cotton Poly Tri-Blends Rayon Hemp OE Cotton Slubs, etc.
Supima Licensee Design Knit is a Supima Licensee. Supima cotton represents less than 1% of cotton grown in the world. What makes Supima unique to other kinds of cotton is the extra-long staple fiber that gives the cotton its premium properties: Strength, Softness, and Color retention. Design Knit is introducing Supima Ecosil: the yarn is created using an air jet spin system which allows them to offer a low fabric pill and low carbon footprint option. Supporting Designers Over the last decade, Design Knit has been doing its part to foster the fashion industry’s future. Pat Tabassi (Shala Tabassi’s daughter), Design Knit’s head of product development and community outreach claimed that they have long supported the next generation of designers, which is really important to them beyond the business end. In addition to lecturing at various fashion schools around LA, Pat and Design Knit have worked closely with students, graduates, and designers that are just starting out offering mentorships, factory tours, and in some cases scholarships. It was through these efforts that Shala and Pat realized these young designers were at a disadvantage. Because of the high minimum orders that most better mills required these up-and-coming designers could only shop for fabrics in the closeout section. So Studio DK was born. Studio DK The Tabassis have launched Studio DK as a boutique fabric studio for start-up brands and up-and-coming designers. With a curated collection of close to 300 fabrics, a significant reduction in the minimum and faster turnaround time for a normal surcharge, Studio DK is changing the status quo for students and newly minted designers. Studio DK will carry a steady in-house stock of ten of Design Knit’s bestselling fabrics, all prepared-for-garment-dye, also available at a low minimum for immediate use. The fabrics—“a good range, a good variety,” Pat notes— include jerseys, French terry, rib, thermal, and jersey spandex, including fine-quality Buhler yarns and TENCEL™ fibers. “These are products we’ve seen do really well for us” she explains. Also among the Studio DK offerings will be fabrics made with sustainable fibers and recycled yarns plus a collection fabricated from discontinued yarns. In an effort to reduce waste, fabric overages will also be available for purchase giving the products a chance at a second life. While located at the same mill facility as Design Knit, Studio DK has a separate entrance, parking lot, and newly constructed showroom—a tranquil place awash in neutrals. There will be garment-dyed samples to inspire and a yarn-dye color card. The advantages of Studio DK can work in many scenarios. According to Sarvey Tahmasebi Rector, director of sales and marketing, “They are working with shorter lead times, and I will get a lot of inquiries for quick response”. For all intents and purposes, Studio DK is a separate entity from Design Knit, which continues its business unchanged. What Studio DK and Design Knit will share is their near-obsessive attention to customer service and building strong relationships that withstand the ebb and flow of industry demands. Visits to Studio DK will be by appointment only. The Design Knit website includes a dropdown for Studio DK, where requests for appointments can be submitted there. The ideal client is a new label ready to go.
Where Can You Find Design Knit Fabric? Brands can directly source Design Knit fabrics from CommonShare, the first sustainable sourcing solution for the textile industry. Their minimum quantities vary by weight. A full 20 roll dye lot can range in yardage from approx. 900-2500 yds. They can also run less yardage with a surcharge fee. They are generally a knit to order mill, with just a few select styles available in stock.