02/07/2026
Meet the Buyer: Kim Webster
From joining Schoolblazer as a Buying Intern in 2023 while studying Fashion Buying with Merchandising, to returning in May 2025 as an Assistant Buyer, Kim has developed a passion for one of the most technical aspects of product development - fabric.
Working across both Schoolblazer and Limitless, Kim manages the journey from the initial fabric concept through to the finished garment, ensuring every fabric meets the demanding standards required for schoolwear and sportswear.
The process starts with researching market trends and competitor products to understand where the market is heading. From there, Kim works closely with fabric mills to develop suitable options, reviewing everything from fibre composition to handle, performance and cost before selecting fabrics for testing.
From there, every fabric undergoes extensive mill and in-house testing to ensure it is suitable for the schoolwear market. This includes assessing colour fastness, abrasion resistance for woven fabrics, pilling performance for knitted fabrics, dimensional stability after repeated washing, fabric weight and overall durability. For garments destined for the Australian market, UV protection testing is also carried out to ensure they meet the required sun-safe standards.
Colour accuracy is another critical stage of the process. Multiple lab dips are reviewed to ensure every production run achieves the correct shade before the approved fabric is manufactured into sample garments. These samples are then subjected to repeated wash testing - often up to 40 washes - to ensure they continue to perform and retain their appearance throughout the life of the garment.
One of Kim's recent projects involved managing the transition of 10 core fabrics to a new mill, including the fabrics used in our midlayers and training pant linings. The challenge was ensuring the new fabrics looked identical to the existing range while delivering the same - or even better - performance.
It's this combination of technical expertise, attention to detail and commitment to quality that helps ensure every Schoolblazer and Limitless garment is made to perform throughout its lifetime.
