Starting a swimwear line

[crankystar]

I am thinking of starting my own swimwear line. I currently live in a small island of the Caribbean, where all swimwear are imported, mainly from the States. They can be pretty expensive (anywhere from US$20 to 80 a piece! - top or bottom), and I do not generally think that the quality or designs justify the price. In any case, no one is making any locally and I think there is an opportunity for me to start a business.
So far, I've identified a few options:
1) I either create the swimsuits myself, with my oen sewing machines and fabric I would have imported from USA, China, India or wherever else.
2) Or I could organise my own designs, patterns, etc and get a swimwear manufacturing company in china to make it for me
3) The last option would be to buy some generic brand swimwear which I would then personalise with my own logo, prints, embroidery, etc.
Does anyone have any experience in this industry? Can anyone provide me with some advice? Ideally, I would do it all myself, but I am just afraid that the cost would rise in a hurry, which would then force me to sell it at a more expensive price - more than intended, in any case.
Any suggestion or advice welcome.
Nat

[Wayne Liew]

Options that you have posted will have a huge difference in terms of cost. Before you can start choosing, you might need to identify the amount of capital that you are willing to put into this swimsuit venture of yours.

If you are planning to import your materials from oversea countries like China or India, you must be prepare a sum of cash to pay for nothing. Well, this will not happen to everybody but quality and miscommunication issues do arise.

Are you planning to visit the factories producing the materials for you? It would be better if you can pay them a visit so that you can show them how serious are you in doing business and make sure that they understand your specifications of orders.

[paul2145r]

Take a look at Ujena.com and their wholesale options. That may be something that may interest you.

[graphic designer]

Good Luck. If i can help you with a logo or business card or whatever. Feel free to contact me. I do provide quick turnaround and excellent work at an affordable rate. View some of my work below.

[crystal9189]

Hi, we are selling swimsuit and most of our products are export to Korea and Japan. You can visit my shop "lizfelice". You will find most of the style. We can discuss for wholesale or OEM product.

[krasalexander]

Hello! ON my opinion the project is very interesting but it is very hard to make. I think that you have to make several test versions to show them to your potential buyers. It is very risky to open the big production at the moment. If people like your version, you can try to find designers to make more variants. Then it will be great if you find the factory in China and purchase not a big batch. And then of everything is good, make the purchases bigger and bigger.
I wish you luck!

P.S. I can help you with web development and with logo. I will be very pleased to help you in your project!

Good luck again! :-)

[pstone0917]

Hi CrankyStar,

By chance, I was wondering did you ever start that swimwear line. I am starting one now and came across your post. Wanted to know your progress after 2 years.

Hope all is well. Thanks.

P

[NVISIONtradesho]

Take a look at Ujena.com and their wholesale options. That may be something that may interest you.

Do you currently use ujena? Do you know of many other wholesale websites?

[crowdlanced]

Even if swimwear in your region currently comes from the States, they are manufactured in China and India for sure.

[callesjose]

Hello! which caribbean island are u from? i'm in the same thing! trying to start a swimwear brand, i have passed for everything, maybe we can help eachother