Showing posts with label starting a clothing line. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starting a clothing line. Show all posts

22 January 2013

DESiGN PROCESS: THE BiNDER

Whenever I'm creating a new collection, the collection receives its own binder. Everything that pertains to that particular collection is kept in the binder; sketches, color scheme, fabric samples, receipts, notes from model castings etc. This makes designing a collection so much better organized. Anytime I need to find a fabric ID number in order to make a rush order on fabric, quickly compare costs, or some other minor crises, I do not have to run around frantically searching for a receipt; it's all right there in that collection's binder. This binder goes with me to every meeting, casting call, and photo shoot involving that collection. Big believer here in organization. Hey, just a bit of organization helps make life a little less stressful.
The sketches are placed in sheet protectors, and I write quick notes, and ideas on the protectors with dry erase marker. That way I can easily erase, change ideas around, and play with the order for the fashion show  while minimizing the damage done to the sketch from consistent erasing. I like to keep the sketches in good condition for future use in blog posts and such.

Names of models from casting calls are written on sticky notes and placed on the sketch of a garment that I'm considering for them. The sticky notes are changed around several times before I finalize the show's model line-up.



 This binder is from the Rehcy Vonne Fall 2011 collection. **AM

10 January 2011

Super-Sellers & Marketing Tips

Sold here at my Etsy.com store

A successful person makes their own way by working hard at something they love, learning from their mistakes, as well as, the mistakes of others, and by looking at how other successful people/companies succeeded.

Throughout the past week I have been reading up on marketing and promotional tips to make your online store a success. I've also examined the selling practices of Etsy.com's big time sellers. Until this week, I had nearly zero comprehension of the magnitude of success that can be gained by having an Etsy store with a decent marketing strategy. Wow, crazy!
These super-sellers have truly inspired me!

The one tip consistently given throughout my research...
HAVE AMAZING PICTURES!!
Other tips included:
Use Facebook, blogs, and other networking sites to promote your products
Find your niche
Offer special promotions or giveaways

Now time for me to get on it, and market, market, market!!

For further reading, try these informative articles:


Daily Concern: Marketing, obviously!

"To change one's life:
Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly.
No exceptions."

Quote by William James

06 January 2011

The Elves & the Shoe-designer?


In the beginning of starting your fashion line, all you want to do is design. That's why you got into fashion right? You have great ideas in mind and some how mysterious night elves will magically make these garments/accessories into real products while you sleep. Exactly like what happened in the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "The Elves and the Shoemaker." Fairy tales are true, right? Uh huh, so when the heck are those elves getting here?!! (Truthfully, I do have a secret hope that one day I will wake up, and the elves will have done my work for me. Hmmm, one day... HaHa...really)

Well, so far work waits for me to complete it. Luckily I love my work!

Now, back to the point...

In the beginning, the job requires you to sure as heck wear many, many hats. (I even keep the Mad Hatter on speed dial. hee hee) Unless you have a huge bundle of cash to start you off, you must act at times, not only as, the designer/creative director, but as seamstress, accountant, secretary, assistant, buyer, merchandiser, photographer, manufacturer, marketing specialist, advertising specialist, graphic designer, website developer, janitor, delivery boy, and well, blogger.

I'd like to say that slowly you get into the swing of things, and it becomes easier... but that would be a LIE!!! As your line or company becomes more successful, new opportunities (aka difficulties) arise and grow on a larger scale. With the involvement of larger amounts of cash flow, the hiccups turn into hic-barrels, hic-silos, even hic-semi-trucks, and sometimes, hic-BOOMS! The number of employees increases, and guess where they turn when problems develop into ones to big for them to handle. That's right, they turn to you! See, no longer hiccups that you are dealing with, but a full size hic-semi racing directly towards you at 120 mphs!!

Now for the good news...
If you really love what you do, then you will enjoy solving the majority of those hic-silos (ha ha ha, a hick-silo). So it's all good...yes, I am aware that was corny.

The best news, however, I'm still in the hiccup stage of development. Yay!!

"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant."
Quote by Horace


(I do not claim ownership of the photo in this post)

02 April 2010

*Trying to be a Super Hero*



(Artwork by ComfortLove on Deviantart.com)

So when I started this blog, I was doing it as an informative step by step on starting a clothing/accessories line. Then the Creative Ambitions Night of Fashion was thrown at me, and I am attempting to seize the opportunity...

First I had planned on starting an accessory line and later a clothing line, but with the show, I am starting both a clothing line and an accessory line at once. My main focus right now is still on creating and making my accessory line successful. However, a lot has changed because of the show. The order of steps I had originally planned have been thrown all out of whack, but I guess that is how the industry, and life for that matter, goes. It has been a huge amount of work, I mean, I knew it was going to be, but DANG!! It has taken over every aspect of my life; I did expect it to do this, but I did believe that I would at least have time to breathe. HaHaHaaaaaa, I was wrong!



The Creative Ambitions show is in 35 days, and I wish I had at least 75 days! I still have so much to do!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!

Here is an updated plan on what I hope to accomplish in time for the show...

April 10- All garments completed, excluding a few zippers and closures
April 13- All zippers/closures completed
April 15- Logo designed, Business cards designed
April 16- Business cards ordered, Fictitious name filed online,Begin show accessories
April 19- Necessary legal documents applied for/ filed,
April 20- Etsy store completely ready to open
April 21- Website active, Facebook page active
April 28- Show jewelry/accessories completed excluding handbags
May 1- Etsy store open with very limited stock
May 4- Show handbags completed
May 3-6- Build stock for Etsy store, Last minute show details
May 7- CEATIVE AMBITIONS FASHION SHOW aka lose my mind & have a nervous breakdown

No personal calls or outings until after May 7!!! lol...seriously

(I do not claim ownership of the photo in this post)