How to Start a Clothing Design Company
Starting your own business is always a challenge. If you are considering starting a clothing design company, there are several critical business decisions you need to make, even before you worry about the clothes. Starting small will reduce your financial risk and allow you to keep your day job as you work to bring your new venture to life.
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Things You'll Need
- Sewing machine and supplies
- Studio space
- Fabric
- Dress form
- Pattern-making supplies
- Computer
- Bookkeeping software
Instructions
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Find your own vision. A successful clothing designer needs to have an idea of what he's designing and why. Without your own aesthetic in mind, you will not be able to plan out a cohesive clothing line. Your clothes should fit your ideals, but still be marketable in order to make a successful clothing design company.
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Make a business plan. What makes your clothing different or special? If you can answer this, you will be well on your way to creating your new business plan. Most designers begin their clothing design companies doing all the work themselves, so you may not have labor costs initially. Do consider how much you can produce and at what point you will need to outsource sewing. You will, however, have substantial materials costs. You will also need space to devote to storing supplies, storing finished garments and producing garments. Determining how you will fund your clothing design business is a critical step in making a business plan. Decide where you will sell. Are you considering on-line sales or will you be selling locally? These are important decisions. You should also set goals. Perhaps you are hoping to see a certain profit level the first year, or have your clothing in a local boutique within 6 months.
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Organize your designs, materials and space. If you have patterns drafted, grade them to the size range you need. Invest in a filing system to hold your patterns and a cutting table to make cutting and preparation easier. Make sure that you have the threads and notions you need. Create a range of sample garments that you can use to sell on-line or take to show to local shops. Make or have printed labels for your designs with a personal logo. These steps are all critical as you start your clothing design business.
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Photograph your work. Consider hiring a professional for the best photos. Clothing often sells best if the buyer can see it on a human body. You may be able to recruit friends or family to model your garments. Choose models that suit your market for the best results. Create a website, take advantage of on-line selling options for small artisans or take your new clothing line into shops and market yourself. Your clothing design company will only be a success if you can sell yourself and your work. Many designers use a site like Etsy to start a clothing design business with limited investment or financial risk (see Resources below).
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Maintain appropriate financial records of both supplies purchased and sales made. Keep in mind that you should charge enough to not only cover your costs, but also to pay yourself a fair hourly wage. Look for wholesale sources for fabric and ways to reduce your supply costs and still provide high quality materials. Keeping good financial records is critical for your taxes and for seeking out investors if you are ready to expand in the future. Take the time every few months to evaluate your marketing, your product and your goals and make adjustments accordingly as you begin your clothing design company.
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