How to Start Your Own Clothing & Shoe Line
The fashion industry can be an extremely competitive world to break into for new designers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fashion design requires artistic ability, marketing experience, excellent communication skills, demonstrated knowledge of fabrics and textiles, a flexible schedule and a keen eye for upcoming fashion trends. A career in fashion design can be lucrative, challenging and exciting. If you have a flair for style and are passionate about the fashion industry, consider starting your own clothing and shoe line.
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Things You'll Need
- Design sketches
- Fashion design software
- Fabrics
- Supplies
- Finished clothing items
- Shoes
- Models
- Photographs of clothing and shoe line
- 2 binders
- Clear page protectors
Instructions
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1
Research future fashion trends for the upcoming season. Sketch clothing and shoe designs based on the styles, pieces and patterns that will be next year's popular trends. Create items that work well together as a collection and form a common theme.
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2
Use fashion design software to upload the design sketches onto your computer. Technological advances have provided fashion designers with computer-aided design (CAD) programs that allow you to view and alter designs on virtual models. Tweak each clothing item and pair of shoes by experimenting with different colors, prints, patterns and textures.
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3
Purchase the fabric, textiles, buttons, zippers and other supplies needed to produce each finalized design from a fabric supply or craft store. Sew the clothing pieces together and make each pair of shoes according to your design sketches.
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4
Hire at least two models and set a date for a photo shoot. Determine the best location for the photo shoot, one that will enhance the look of your line and provide adequate lighting. Use a high-quality digital camera to take photographs of your clothes and shoes on the models.
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Upload the pictures to your computer and select the best ones to represent your clothing and shoe line. Create a blog where you can post pictures of your designs, and order business cards with your blog's web address printed on them. Distribute the business cards to local clothing stores and give them to family members and friends.
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6
Make a look-book portfolio of your fashion designs that includes professional pictures of clothing items, shoes and accessories on models. Use the portfolio to market your clothing and shoe line to potential buyers and fashion magazines. Put each photograph in a clear page protector and store in a sturdy binder.
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7
Put a "line sheet" together for potential sales orders with retail stores and buyers. Line sheets are geared towards the business aspect of the fashion industry and should include ordering information, wholesale pricing, available sizes and colors, pictures and item numbers for each piece in your line. Place pages into clear sheet protectors and store in a binder.
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8
Enter your clothing and shoe line in an amateur fashion design contest or a local fashion show for emerging designers. Follow up with buyers and fashion editors who attended the show to set up meetings and get your line recognized in the fashion world.
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Tips & Warnings
Hire a manufacturing company to make your clothing items and shoes if you lack experience creating clothing, shoes and textiles. Ask family members or friends to model your clothing and shoe line if you cannot afford to pay models.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit funky mannequin image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
