Garment industry has specific characteristics as it is close to the end consumer and many agents are involved in its production system. The latter factor, at the same time as it requires strong managerial control of the production process, enables speedy product development. Thus, this article aims to identify characteristics of the product development of design-oriented companies in the garment industry using a strategy of in-house production, partial production or outsourcing, and thus map out critical success factors. The method used was exploratory, following a qualitative approach and conducted through a literature survey and in depth interviews in seven design-oriented companies in the garment industry. We found four critical success factors for design-oriented companies: be able to manage design; be able to manage with flexibility and adaptability; competence to integrate coworkers; ability to monitor the local context.