Fashion teams handle countless moving parts across every collection. Between sample reviews, supplier updates, and tight launch schedules, projects can easily fall behind. 

Many brands still rely on spreadsheets or disconnected tools that slow communication and create errors.

Fashion management software helps teams stay organized. It connects every stage of product development, allowing teams to plan timelines, track progress, and work together in real time. 

For growing fashion businesses, these tools offer visibility and structure without disrupting creativity.

This guide highlights five trusted platforms helping fashion industry leaders simplify coordination and maintain clear communication across every department.

Why Fashion and Apparel Industry Teams Should Use Project Management Software

Fashion teams face unique challenges that standard management software can’t always address. Each department handles its own data, timelines, and approvals. Without a shared system, information slips through the cracks, and decisions take longer.

To stay competitive and meet evolving consumer expectations, fashion businesses need platforms that support:

• Visual timelines for collections to track progress and approvals across teams.

• Centralized product data for fabrics, trims, and BOMs in one reliable source.

• Cross-department collaboration that improves decision-making and provides real-time visibility.

• Task tracking and approval workflows that align with sample management and production planning.

• Vendor communication tools that maintain seamless communication with partners and suppliers.

Here are five platforms helping fashion and apparel teams manage collections and production with structure and clarity.

Top 5 Fashion Management Software Solutions in 2026

Check out the best five tools for fashion management:

1. Onbrand PLM

If you’ve ever searched through endless spreadsheets or struggled to find the latest version of a tech pack, you’ll understand why so many fashion teams switch to Onbrand PLM.

It’s a modern fashion management platform that keeps design, sourcing, and production connected in one clear space.

With Onbrand PLM, your team can track every project from concept to launch. Designers, developers, and suppliers all stay aligned through real-time updates, so nothing gets lost in email threads or scattered files.

Key Features

• Live tech packs update automatically as changes are made, removing version confusion.

• Project timelines make it easy to see progress across every department.

• Dedicated libraries organize fabrics, colors, and product details in one single source.

• Vendor collaboration keeps conversations in one place instead of switching between messages and attachments.

• AI-powered data migration helps you get up and running within weeks.

• Collection-planning tools allow your team to plan assortments, set milestones, and manage seasonal launches efficiently.

• Automated workflows keep approvals moving and reduce time spent on manual updates.

Fashion brands using Onbrand have reported 55% faster tech pack creation and four weeks shorter development cycles. The interface is visual and intuitive, designed for creative teams who want clarity without complexity.

Unlike legacy product lifecycle management (PLM) platforms, Onbrand PLM is a true SaaS. You don’t have to wait years for updates or pay extra for support. Every customer has a dedicated account rep who helps the team stay on track from day one.

Brands like Bandier, Gold Hinge, and Evelyn & Bobbie use Onbrand PLM to manage collections, communicate with vendors, and build smoother workflows. This tool helps your team move faster, stay organized, and finally leave spreadsheet chaos behind.

Ready to see how Onbrand can simplify your product development process? Book a demo today and experience faster collaboration, fewer delays, and a smoother path from concept to creation.

2. Centric PLM

Centric PLM is one of the most established solutions in the fashion industry, trusted by global retail and apparel business leaders.

It’s part of the major platforms that help your teams manage product lifecycles from design to delivery through a structured and modern fashion PLM system.

Source: centricsoftware.com

The platform connects design, sourcing, and production in one space to support planning, approvals, and inventory management.

You can use it to coordinate seasonal planning, track materials, and manage costing for collections at scale. Its built-in workflows and calendars help departments stay aligned across multiple regions and product lines.

Centric also provides visibility into supplier performance, manufacturing stages, and financial costs, giving brands the insight they need to make data-driven decisions.

With detailed dashboards, teams can gain insights into performance, reduce waste, and forecast demand based on market trends and consumer preferences.

For smaller brands or those new to enterprise systems, Centric’s setup can feel extensive. Implementation often takes time and may require outside support, which can slow onboarding and limit early flexibility.

3. Backbone PLM

Backbone PLM is designed for creative teams that want structure without losing flexibility.

If your design and development process often feels scattered across folders and files, this apparel management software helps bring everything together in one visual workspace.

Source: backboneplm.com

Your team can track product details, manage design feedback, and see updates in real-time data. The layout feels intuitive, which makes it easier for designers and developers to stay aligned as collections move from concept to production.

It’s especially helpful for apparel brands that value a visual, collaborative approach to managing their product timelines.

Backbone also includes tools for organizing materials, specifications, and product libraries. This helps reduce repetitive data entry and gives your team quick access to past designs when planning new collections.

It also supports data management for assets and materials, allowing your team to reuse what works and save time on everyday processes.

Some users mention that Backbone focuses more on design collaboration than on production oversight. It’s a strong choice for creative workflows, but fashion companies handling sourcing, manufacturing, or complex supply chains might need additional tools to manage those steps.

4. World Fashion Exchange

World Fashion Exchange (WFX) is a cloud-based apparel enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that combines fashion ERP software and apparel software features to help fashion teams stay organized.

Source: worldfashionexchange.com

It supports sales and order management, production tracking, and vendor coordination, giving your team a clear overview of projects and deadlines.

The platform includes industry-specific features such as demand forecasting, costing, and reporting tools that help you analyze data and make better decisions. Many brands use it to streamline operations, manage sales orders, and reduce manual work through automation.

WFX integrates smoothly with e-commerce systems and accounting tools for seamless integration between sales and production.

The interface is highly customizable, allowing teams to work in a way that fits their process. For many growing companies, these capabilities support long-term business growth and stronger profitability.

Some users mention that WFX’s design feels dated and can take time to configure. However, its wide range of tools makes it one of the major platforms in fashion technology, helping brands reduce costs, avoid hidden fees, and save countless hours on repetitive tasks.

5. Yunique PLM

Yunique PLM, developed by Gerber (now Lectra), is known for its precision and structure. It’s built for fashion and apparel teams that need detailed control over product data, patterns, and specifications.

Source: lectra.com

The platform helps organize every stage of technical development, combining structured data management with clear visibility between design and production. Its layout supports design teams working with global suppliers and large product assortments. 

Features like detailed specification sheets and a built-in size matrix help maintain fit accuracy across different styles and regions. That structure makes it a reliable choice for brands managing high volumes of data and multiple production partners.

Yunique PLM is particularly valued by technical design and manufacturing teams that prioritize consistency.

It helps brands keep product details aligned and ensures development stays on track, even with large seasonal collections in progress.

The system’s interface feels more traditional compared to newer platforms, but its dependability keeps it relevant. Many established brands use Yunique to maintain success across product lines and deliver consistent quality to their best customers year after year.

Manage Fashion Projects Better With Onbrand PLM

Managing projects in fashion is never simple. Each collection brings new timelines, product details, and supplier updates that need to move in sync. 

The right fashion management software gives your team the structure to stay organized and the visibility to make confident decisions from concept to production.

Every platform on this list supports fashion teams in different ways, but only one combines clarity, speed, and collaboration in a way that feels modern.

Onbrand PLM stands out as the platform built for growing brands that want to simplify development and cut through the noise of outdated systems.

For teams exploring digital fashion design, Onbrand AI Design adds another layer of creativity. It helps designers turn ideas into visuals faster, supporting concept generation and design collaboration in real time. All within the same connected workspace.

If your team is ready for a better way to manage collections, coordinate with vendors, and bring designs to market faster, explore what Onbrand PLM can do for you.

Book a demo today and see how it helps fashion teams work smarter and build products with confidence.

FAQs About Fashion Management Software

What software do most fashion designers use?

Most fashion designers use PLM tools like Onbrand, Centric PLM, or Backbone PLM to manage product data, track samples, and collaborate with vendors. For design work, many use tools such as Onbrand AI Design, Adobe Illustrator, CLO 3D, or Browzwear for digital fashion design and pattern creation.

Which ERP does Zara use?

Zara uses a custom-built ERP system developed by its parent company, Inditex. The platform integrates production, logistics, inventory, and sales data in real time, allowing the brand to respond quickly to changing consumer demand.

What is CRM in the fashion industry?

A customer relationship management (CRM) system in the fashion industry helps brands manage customer data, track purchase history, and personalize communication. It’s used to improve customer retention, identify shopping trends, and strengthen relationships with loyal buyers.

What is ERP in fashion?

An ERP system in fashion connects core business functions like inventory, production, finance, and supply chain. It helps apparel brands centralize data, reduce manual processes, and improve efficiency across departments. This system covers every aspect of business management, giving teams a complete view of operations from design to delivery.