The fashion industry moves at lightning speed, and for brands looking to stay ahead, the right technology can make all the difference. Frankies Bikinis, the Los Angeles-based swim and lifestyle brand that started in Malibu in 2012, has proven this point remarkably well. Since implementing Centric PLM™ in 2020, the brand has not only accelerated product launches but has also achieved something that many fashion companies struggle with: near-zero production errors, according to Frankies Bikinis.
From Excel to Excellence
The transformation story begins with a familiar scenario for many growing brands. Andy, Director of Design and Development, shared, “When I started, it was one person building tech packs in Excel,” said Andy. This manual approach worked in the early days, but as the business scaled and product complexity grew, visibility and accuracy became critical challenges that spreadsheets simply couldn’t handle.
The shift to Centric PLM marked a turning point for the brand. Andy, Director of Design and Development, remarked, “Centric PLM has completely changed the way we work,” said Andy. This digital transformation allowed Frankies Bikinis to streamline its entire product development process, moving from manual spreadsheet management to a sophisticated, integrated system that could keep pace with its ambitious growth plans.
Remarkable Growth and Diversification
The results clearly highlight the power of the right technology platform. Since implementing Centric PLM, Frankies Bikinis has experienced a major shift in its product mix. The brand has moved from being predominantly swim-focused to now offering an assortment where apparel makes up more than 50% of styles, as detailed by Centric Software. This diversification hasn’t come at the cost of their core swimwear business. Quite the opposite, swim SKUs have grown by 15% seasonally while the brand expanded into new categories, including fully fashioned knits, dresses, and accessories.
Perhaps most impressively, the brand has expanded its physical footprint alongside its digital transformation, with six retail stores planned by year-end. This multi-channel growth strategy shows how the right backend technology can support ambitious expansion plans across different retail formats.
Managing High-Profile Collaborations
One of the most compelling aspects of Frankies Bikinis’ success with Centric PLM is how the platform handles complex, high-profile collaborations. The brand has leveraged the system to manage partnerships that require meticulous attention to detail and seamless coordination.
For the Bella Hadid capsule collection, the team used Centric PLM to track custom hardware, approvals, and artwork through the system, as said in the press release. Even more sophisticated is their Victoria’s Secret PINK partnership, which runs on a parallel Centric PLM setup, enabling what the company calls “brand-to-brand synergy.” This ability to manage multiple complex partnerships simultaneously while maintaining quality and timelines is a clear demonstration of the platform’s enterprise-level capabilities.
The Power of Flexibility and Precision
What sets Frankies Bikinis apart in their use of technology is their focus on maintaining creative flexibility while ensuring operational precision. Andy, Director of Design and Development, stated, “We move fast, we change things constantly, and Centric PLM gives us the flexibility to grow without losing track of anything,” said Andy. This balance between agility and control is crucial in the fast-paced fashion industry.
The system’s ability to handle nuanced requirements is especially important for a brand known for its bold, playful designs. Andy, Director of Design and Development, explained, “Every style is different and Centric PLM lets us build out the nuance while staying aligned,” said Andy. This capability allows the creative team to protect their design vision while ensuring that complex technical requirements are properly managed and communicated throughout the development process.
Looking Ahead: Expanded Capabilities
Frankies Bikinis isn’t stopping at their current success. The brand is preparing to onboard its technical design team, with plans to extend Centric PLM to include grading, fit tracking, and full pattern visibility. This expansion will further support the brand’s rapid growth and creative agility, ensuring they can continue to scale while maintaining the quality and innovation that have made them successful.
For fashion brands looking to scale while keeping both quality and creative flexibility intact, the Frankies Bikinis transformation offers a compelling roadmap for success.
