How to Start a Clothing Line at Age 13

Don't let your age stand in the way of launching a clothing line.

Dakota Fanning, Macaulay Culkin and Anna Paquin all enjoyed successful film careers before attending middle school. Francis Hawkins wrote "Youth's Behavior: Decency in Conversations Amongst Men," when she was 8---double the age of 4-year-old Dorothy Straight, whose book, "How the World Began," was published in 1964. At 13, you're older and wiser than these guys---which means your chances of successfully starting a clothing line at 13 are just as good as anyone else's. Just make sure your mom's on board and willing to help and it won't be long before your outfits are ready for Project Funway.

Things You'll Need

• Sketchpad
• Drawing pencils
• Computer
• Drawing programs, such as Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator
• Reference material
• Portfolio
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Take as many drawing classes as time and money allow. Seek private tutoring in the disciplines of sketching, painting and electronic drawing using popular programs like Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator. Read multiple fashion magazines but save your mom a bundle by perusing library copies rather than than subscribing to them all. Attend drawing camp in the summer to boost your skills. Learn to drape and sew to master the ins and outs of constructing garments.

2. Determine your area of concentration. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and decide on the type of clothing you're most comfortable rendering. Become a generalist by rendering sketches of pants, tops and dresses in your line or focus on a single genre such as prom gown design. Sketch like crazy to fill a drawing tablet. Post your best sketches on a wall and ask others to critique your ideas.

3. Select the best of your work based on the critique outlined in Step 2. Trim and mount the designs in a presentation portfolio (found at art supply stores, on the Internet or office-supply retailers). Get into the habit of protecting your proprietary designs by marking every sketch with a copyright symbol and your name. Name your clothing line after yourself so your brand is distinct.

4. Submit the best designs in your clothing line to companies looking for new talent (see Creativepool link in References). While you're researching such opportunities, make samples of your best work using fabrics that showcase your eye for color and versatility as you may be asked for live samples if you attract the attention of those who can help your career along.

5. Use your age as a promotional and marketing tool. Decide, with your mom, where your clothing line belongs. Target? Trendy boutiques? Your call. Approach these companies by locating corporate headquarters and asking for the name and title of personnel in charge of licensing work from new clothing designers. Send copies of your designs (you did put your copyright on each one, right?) to the company or, if you and your mom are ambitious, make an appointment to bring your portfolio to the company.

6. Stay positive---don't let rejection discourage you. Be confident and make the world well aware of your unique talent and age, as these days, it's as much about marketing as it is about fashion design. Keep this in mind: If a retail chain is looking to attract new business, what better way to get kids in the door than by being the only company licensing the designs of a 13-year-old?

References

• How to Start Clothing Company: Launch Clothing Line
• PRLog; Creativepool: Launch New Fashion Brand
• Business Transworld: Start Apparel Company for $50