Technical
Outerwear
Seam Department helps brands develop and manufacture high performance outerwear, from waterproof jackets and ski shells to technical pants and rainwear. Giving clients access to rigorously vetted specialist manufacturing and an integrated supply chain across Asia.
NANJING, CHINA
Specialist Manufacturing Access
Technical outerwear production through rigorously vetted specialist factories with internationally recognised certifications and proven experience in waterproof-breathable garment construction.
TAIWAN, JAPAN + CHINA
Performance Textile Network
Access to specialist performance-textile mills across Asia, including suppliers in Taiwan, Japan and China producing waterproof laminates, lightweight technical nylons, ripstop constructions, downproof textiles, stretch-woven shells and specialist linings.
ASIA-WIDE SUPPLY NETWORK
Technical Components and Trims
Access to YKK® zippers, seam tapes, cord systems, adjusters, insulation, specialist linings and lower-MOQ technical components.
Technical Outerwear
Seam Department combines in-house product development in Shanghai with specialist performance-textile mills, technical suppliers and outerwear manufacturing partners across Asia.
Start a Technical Brief
Showroom
A dedicated space for reviewing garments, materials and product references in person.
*As featured on @imtomstevens
01
Shell Materials & Membrane Systems
Performance shell materials are selected according to waterproofing, breathability, weight, durability, stretch, hand feel and intended garment use. Development can include nylon face fabrics, ripstop constructions, stretch shells, backers and waterproof-breathable laminate systems sourced through specialist performance-textile mills.
02
Seam Sealing & Taping
Seam sealing is developed around the selected shell material, tape system, seam geometry, machinery and controlled application settings. Full or critical taping can be specified depending on garment construction, performance targets and intended use.
03
Waterproofing & Breathability
Waterproofing and moisture-vapour performance are considered as part of the complete material and garment system rather than as isolated fabric numbers. Membrane selection, face fabric, backer, seam construction, DWR and garment architecture are specified around the intended performance tier and use environment.
04
DWR & Surface Treatment
DWR selection is considered alongside the face textile and laminate construction to maintain water shedding and waterproof-breathable performance through use and care. PFAS-free options can be specified where appropriate to the selected textile and project requirements.
05
Articulated Pattern Engineering
Patterns are developed around fit, layering requirements, articulation, mobility, seam placement and intended performance. Pre-shaped elbows, knees, shoulders, hoods and other movement zones can be engineered directly into the garment architecture rather than treated as styling details.
06
Bonded & Welded Construction
Bonded construction, welded interfaces and specialist reinforcement methods can be developed where conventional stitched construction would introduce unnecessary bulk, penetration or structural limitations. The construction method is selected according to material compatibility and garment requirements.
07
Technical Zippers & Components
Technical components are selected according to performance, construction and intended use. This can include YKK® zipper systems, water-resistant closures, seam tapes, cord systems, adjusters, reinforcement materials, specialist linings and other outerwear hardware sourced across the Asian supply network.
08
Insulation Systems
Puffer development can incorporate natural down, synthetic insulation and hybrid systems alongside downproof shell fabrics, lining systems, engineered baffle construction, quilting architecture and controlled fill levels according to the intended garment and environment.
09
Development to Manufacturing
Seam Department manages material sourcing, technical documentation, bills of materials, construction specifications and production preparation before handing an approved product into specialist manufacturing. This connects the Shanghai development process with performance mills, technical suppliers and specialist outerwear manufacturing access in Nanjing.
Factory Certifications & Compliance
Specialist Manufacturing — China + Myanmar
Technical Outerwear Manufacturing at Scale.
Seam Department works directly with First Fiber's specialist technical-outerwear manufacturing network across China and Myanmar, supporting waterproof shells, technical pants, insulated garments and complex seam-taped construction.
With 22+ years of technical outerwear manufacturing experience, First Fiber operates a combined 20,000 m² manufacturing footprint across China and Myanmar, with more than 1,050 employees, 16 dedicated production lines and 45 seam-taping stations.
Seam Department's ongoing production relationship gives suitable clients a route into this manufacturing infrastructure through established factory access, existing material programmes and agreed baseline MOQ pathways — connecting smaller and emerging technical outerwear brands with manufacturing capability normally structured around established production programmes.
20,000 M²
Combined Manufacturing Footprint
22+ YEARS
Technical Outerwear Manufacturing
1,050+
Employees Across the Network
16
Dedicated Production Lines
45
Seam-Taping Stations
1.5M+
Annual Garment Capacity
120K+ / MONTH
Technical Garment Capacity
70+
QA / QC Personnel
32
Sample-Development Technicians
3
Dedicated Sample-Development Lines
2L / 2.5L / 3L
Waterproof Shell Construction
GLOBAL
North America · Europe · UK · Japan · APAC
First Fiber — Nanjing, China
Specialist Technical Outerwear Manufacturing
Seam Department working directly inside the production environment with First Fiber's technical manufacturing team.
Core Product Offerings
How Technical Outerwear Projects Run
From initial product direction to finished delivery, every technical outerwear project moves through three documented and controlled phases.
01Phase 01 — Define
Understand
We establish the garment's purpose, intended environment, target customer, performance requirements and commercial position before design work begins. This gives every later decision a clear reference point and prevents the product from becoming a collection of disconnected features.
- Define intended use, climate and performance expectations
- Establish target customer, retail position and production budget
- Confirm initial quantities, launch dates and commercial constraints
- Prioritise the garment's essential functions and features
Define
Digital Concept Development & Product Engineering
We establish the garment's purpose, intended environment, target customer, performance requirements and commercial position before design work begins. This gives every later decision a clear reference point and prevents the product from becoming a collection of disconnected features.
- Define intended use, climate and performance expectations
- Establish target customer, retail position and production budget
- Confirm initial quantities, launch dates and commercial constraints
- Prioritise the garment's essential functions and features
Phase 01 Benefit
The first sample begins from a resolved product direction rather than being used to discover what the product should have been.
FAQ
Common questions.
Technical outerwear is a specialised discipline. Here's what clients typically ask before starting.
Launch Your Technical Outerwear Line.
Access performance-textile mills, specialist components and certified technical manufacturing through one on-ground development team.