I am new to the site!

**JHlivesforever** · 12-30-2007 12:41 PM

I am trying to start a clothing line. Does anyone know where I should start or any advise?

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-30-2007 12:47 PM

Put together a business plan. This will help you begin to develop many of the essential parts of your business. Samples are widespread on the internet. Once you have begun to do that, THEN come back with more specific questions.

**midiwhale** · 12-30-2007 01:03 PM

Hi JH
that is a pretty open question...

Sounds like you need a business plan!

A major part of that for you I feel will be market and competitive research.
Then you will probably look at mass production techniques, funding and then marketing and distribution.

No industry is easy to enter, but fashion is one of the least easy.

IMHO you should probably start small scale doing a more designer range that you can market on a smaller scale.
If you can prove you are as good as you think you are on that scale, you might find opportunities for partners, strategic alliances or funding, based on some sort of track record.

I get the impression you have not worked in the clothing industry either?

It sounds like you have a passion for clothing, but that does not make you a good business person.
You might be better to create a team of complimentary skills (finance, sales, marketing, production) and form your business that way.

There are many resources for creating a business plan, and if you went to a college to train in clothe design, they should also have business advisors.

Or there should be business advisors or chambers of commerce in your local area who will help you for free.

Off hand I think you should create your brand and protect it. And then concentrate on teaming up with local retailers who will help you to sell it through their chains.

It is such an open question, it is almost impossible to answer.

A business plan will help you to define what questions and actions you should take next.
A business plan is not just about figures and projections. It also starts to define your strategy.
Off hand I don't know what your strategy is, or why your think your clothes will "sell".

I hope that helps to some extent.

To your success.
Peter