New fashion line

**the OZ room** · 12-06-2010 06:47 PM

Hi, I would just like more information on the process I have to take to build my own clothing line. I would like to open a store too, so what is the first step?

**soccerprodigy777** · 12-06-2010 10:00 PM

Depends on what you want to do. What are you designing? Jackets, Shirts, Underwear, Pants, T-Shirts? That being said, it also depends on how deep your pockets are. First decide what exactly your clothing line is offering, then we can go from there.

**bigandtall** · 12-06-2010 11:12 PM

Learn about the business Before actually planning to start the business, its important to first learn of the business, of its usual business processes such as how stocks would get from manufacturers to retailers. Being a wholesaler, you should be as knowledgeable in the distribution process as much as possible. So where can you get the necessary knowledge and experience in this. There are many ways in which one can learn about the distribution process. There are books which can help in assisting on what the business is all about and what are the usual risks entailing this business. There are also a number of articles on the Internet which can also help.

**the OZ room** · 12-07-2010 09:34 AM

I am selling jackets,shirts,jeans,shoes... everything! What I need is the steps I have to take to make the clothing line, for example how can I work with manufacturers to make my designs... a good business plan that is captivating, how can I make it official, like patents or trademark it... How can I get people to buy my clothes, etc...

**soccerprodigy777** · 12-07-2010 12:43 PM

Well, I can tell you right now that youre going to have to bring your eyes down a bit lower and and start very small. Manage your expectations. I agree with the post above about learning the industry. Its not as simple as design something and start selling. Working in the industry a bit and getting your feet wet will give loads of knowledge, contacts, and insight that will be extremely valuable to you.

If you want to skip all that and learn the hard way, the first thing youd need to do is figure out who youre designing for, ie your market. Study the fashion industry thoroughly and read trade magazines to identify trends. Study your market well and then sit down and write out a business plan. This will help you plan out a direction for your line. Once youve decided that, design your stuff, and get samples made and start a website. Youd need to find manufacturers who are willing to run small orders for you.Take your samples to tradeshows and fashion shows around the country. If buyers like your stuff, companies will put in orders to aqcuire it and sell in their own stores.

Its an expensive process, so if you dont have the funds on your own, hit up your family and friends.

**the OZ room** · 12-07-2010 01:41 PM

Yes, I know it's gonna be a long ride, but I know I can do it and my designs are incredible, they are completely different from what we normally see in stores, it's something that people are just going to love due to it's originality.

**swimdiva** · 12-08-2010 11:25 PM

As an owner of a successful retail store, and a designer of swimwear and clothing I would advise trying to decide what you really want. Do you want to be a designer, and have people in your own clothing? Or do you want to run a boutique and dress people in your own unique style? Start with one, as you can always expand into the other.

I would recommend starting with opening your own boutique. Select vendors and other designers that are within your style range, and accessories that compliment and make the look 'you'. You can start small, and have a small unique space. As you begin to attract customers you will see who your clientele is; what they try on vs. what they purchase; what sizing sells through best; and you will hear about what they wish they could find that you do not currently offer. I launched my own private label line after 2 years of my retail boutique being open and it is my best selling collection in my store. Not because it is my own line and we push it, but because I listened to what my clients wanted and created just that. We are now expanding the collection to wholesale and will be selling to boutiques world-wide.

**the OZ room** · 12-10-2010 11:21 AM

That is a great idea, the only problem is finding vendors that have the same taste as me. What I'm looking in a fashion line is very different and may be a little complicated, that is why I want to design my own clothes. What I want is to open a store and sell MY designs in the store. Also I want it to be a very international fashion line, I want it to be a franchise and I want the stores to be on malls, not independent.

**swimdiva** · 12-10-2010 11:57 AM

Yes, but you have to tackle one idea at a time, unless you are sitting on a ton of cash... Designing your own lines starts with you independently making samples. Sketch your ideas, pick out sample fabric colors, patterns and bring it to a seamstress that can sew it for you. Photograph your sample from every angle, and begin looking for manufactures (Attend Magic in LV or fashion trade shows). Use the photograph of your sample to show them what exactly you want created - it will help them bid the right price. Standard minimums in the "real" design world (not the local, "I do it myself world" are high) 300 yards per color or pattern fabric minimums are the lowest I have found. That is about 250 dresses... My collection of 4 cover-up dresses in 2 colors each cost me about $25,000. Purchasing 1600 units, I ensured the styles I created were exactly what my customers wanted (not just my style... but a style that I can stand behind and sell). Overtime, my investment will bring in $136,000. But it will take me 2 to 3 years to sell through the amount I bought.

If you are set on having your own line and own store, then I would look for a local manufacture. Prices will be way higher but the minimums will be less and you will have the ability to have more creative control. Even working with a seamstress to create one size run of your sketches just to get you started.

Mall customers tend to be more basic and conservative with their purchases. I opened my business in a high-end mall the first year and moved out quickly to a luxury boutique shopping district. I am near brands like Monique Lhuiller, D&G, Gucci, Anthropology. The customers that shop here compared to a mall environment are looking for something exclusive, special, different... and they are willing to spend the money on the product. Considering that real estate for shopping malls is at an all-time low rental percentage the rents are now affordable ($2000 - $4000 a month should get you a decent space) but the customer counts and $ per SQ FT malls are making are at an all time low. I would research your area and see if those stats are true, and begin making a decision on who you want to sell your products to, and where the market says those customers are.

You do not have to be a Franchise to be in a mall. Most malls have a leasing agent that deals exclusively with local small business tenants. Franchising is another business entirely, and not something you can or should even consider until you have a working prototype producing standard profits.

Hope that helps. I started by own business at 24 and have grown it to a million dollar a year store. I now have my own cover-up line, swimwear line and am expanding to 15 stores across the US. I have done this in 4 years time. I started small, and reinvested my profits each year to support my growth. I like that you have your end-game in sight, but its stepping stones to get there the right way!

**the OZ room** · 12-10-2010 12:08 PM

Thank You VERY much, can you tell me more on how you started? I would really love that, it would be an inspiration to me!

**swimdiva** · 12-10-2010 12:51 PM

I worked in Corporate fashion as a Visual Director and then as a Regional Manager for a major US clothing brand. I had studied fashion design and brand management in college and always knew I would own my own store. I left college after my second year (not for me) and opened a swimwear boutique that catered to real women. I started by attending a trade show, and lots and lots of shopping to find out what brands that were already out there were fits I could stand behind. I developed my brand to be fit first, function second and always fashionable. The vendors I continue to work with meet these expectations as well as offer a higher quality material. I entered the marketplace in Nov. 2006 and saw first year sales of 300,000. It was hard - I worked 80 hours a week and had 6 employees to help me run the shop in the mall. Since we were in the mall, you get more walk-through "I am just looking" traffic... When I moved my business to the luxury shopping district, we lost those walk-through people. This helped me cut down on payroll, and allowed my associates to work one-on-one with our customers. We noticed sales began to go through the roof! So, we developed a Fit & Flatter service to give women one-on-one help choosing a swimsuit and beach wardrobe. This service resulted in a referral rate of over 90% - which means I do not have to pay for advertising. With such incredible referrals, we grow 25 - 49% to LY each month... which is above and beyond what most people are doing in this economy. I really feel you need to have more then just unique and high quality products. You brand has to offer the consumer a service - a reason to shop and spend and tell their friends about you. The business I have now is not the exact business I started... I adapted my ideas to give my customers the experience they were looking for. This is what created my profitability.