Fabricwhere

Fabricwhere is a term used in discussions of textile data management to describe a framework or platform for cataloging and locating natural and synthetic fabrics across supply chains. It is envisioned as a centralized index that links fabric identities to their material composition, production history, and current availability.

Core elements typically associated with Fabricwhere include a unique fabric identifier, fiber content and percentage, yarn construction (weave, knit, or nonwoven), finish and treatment, colorways, weight in grams per square meter, width, country of origin, supplier and batch information, dye lot, certifications, and manufacturing dates. The model emphasizes provenance, enabling tracing from raw fiber to finished textile and onward to product assemblies.

Potential uses include supply chain traceability, sustainability reporting, quality control, inventory management, and product development. By enabling cross-system queries (for example, locating all fabrics produced in a given dye lot or by a specific supplier), Fabricwhere supports audits and compliance with labeling regulations and environmental standards.

Implementation approaches vary; Fabricwhere can be realized as a database schema, an API, or a linked data model built on RDF or JSON-LD to facilitate interoperability with ERP, PLM, and MES platforms. Open standards and common vocabularies are often proposed to improve data sharing among manufacturers, brands, and retailers.

Currently Fabricwhere is best described as a conceptual term rather than a widely adopted specification. Related real-world efforts include material provenance, product passport initiatives, and textile data repositories that address parts of its intended scope.