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Step 1
Get Inspired--Every Fashion Line Needs a Brand. Think about who you are and an overall image for your line. Are you funky...preppy...vintage? Define Your Style and Set a Theme for the Line You Plan to Create
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Step 2
Pick a Product-- I strongly suggest designers pick one specific category such as cotton tee shirts, silk blouses or denim jeans. In the end this strategy will help you focus your line making it more appealing to customers as well as saving you tons of money as you launch.
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Step 3
Design or Hire a Designer--If you are a designer great! If you're not you can hire a designer by placing an ad in trade publications such as WWD or California Apparel News. Make sure that you look for someone that gets your style...have them send you their portfolio or do a test sketch to make sure they are able to communicate your vision.
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Step 4
Source Materials--After your designer has composed sketches of the product you desire you should begin thinking about the materials you will use to make your product come to life.
You'll have to find everything from fabric to buttons to zippers and linings. In this step you'll see why beginning your line with just one category can be a lot more cost and time effective. -
Step 5
Make Patterns and Samples--I suggest finding one person that is able to make both patterns and samples. At times patternmakers don't make samples and samplemakers don't make patterns. Having someone that does both takes less time and usually results in a much better end result.
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Step 6
Merchandise--After you have samples of your product it will be time to merchandise your line. Merchandising begins with narrowing your samples down to make sure they tell the story of your brand.
You want to have items that complement each other allowing a buyer to buy several things from your collection. -
Step 7
Pricing --Now that you have narrowed your selection of samples you'll have to assign prices to each piece.
You want to make sure you gain at least a 50% profit to make your efforts worthwhile. You also want to make sure your product "looks," like the price you are asking for it. -
Step 8
Market and Sell--Now that you have a beautiful assortment of appropriately priced product you are ready to begin the marketing and sales process.
You may want to have a photoshoot and create a catalog which can be very expensive. You may also want to prepare a press kit outlining the vision of your line and enclosing actual photographs.
Whatever you decide to prepare at the very least you must have a line sheet...that has pictures, pricing and color information for each style. At this point you can begin selling your product at tradeshows or searching for a sales rep that is willing to sell your goods on your behalf...for a commission of course!
Comments
dollsandart said
on 9/20/2009 I picked up some good info from your article. Thanks for sharing.
lisaariotti said
on 10/19/2008 What about manufacturing? Shipping, Tagging. Distribution and accounting as well as customer service management. No matter how great your line looks you can not succeed without back end logistics in place!