So, you've decided you want to start a clothing company. For many people with a sincere interest in fashion, this is a lifelong dream and a popular outlet for a lot of natural creatives. Fashion is all around us and makes up a huge part of our lives, whether we like it or not. After all, who can forget Miranda Priestly's famous 'cerulean' speech in the movie The Devil Wears Prada? Fashion affects us all and it is how many of us choose to express ourselves. Maybe you spent hours as a child sticking glitter onto your clothes in an attempt to 'customize' them, or perhaps you covet Vogue magazine as if it was your very own Bible. Wanting to make a career out of your passion is understandable, and it's great if you can do so, but the fashion market is already very oversaturated. If you want to be a success, you will need to set off on the right foot. Here are some things you need to know before you launch your own fashion business.
Find a gap in the market
Fashion is constantly changing and developing - it's often hard to keep up as a customer, let alone a designer! But you need to be one step ahead of the game if you want to make a success of your clothing company startup. Learn the industry inside out before you even think about designing your first piece, and think about what is currently missing from the scene. It might feel easier to simply jump on an existing bandwagon, and truth be told, you may find yourself with a healthy number of initial sales. But the issue with this kind of fashion is that once the trend is over, the business will die. You need to make sure you have something interesting yet timeless that will really grab people's attention, and that will attract lifelong customers.
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Organize the business
It's all well and good being a creative visionary, designing some of the most amazing pieces of fashion imaginable. But all that will mean nothing if you can't run the business efficiently. You will need to be a good business person as well as a designer to bring your designs to the masses and ultimately, turn a profit. Take the time to learn about factoring companies, about fashion marketing and about distribution. These are all things that will hold you in good stead for the future, and that will enable you to run your business properly.
Build your brand
Good fashion branding is imperative these days. Just look at what the classic brands have - the iconic red Louboutin sole, or Vivienne Westwood's tartan, for example. You have to know where you're going with your brand and your marketing needs to reflect this. Create a buzz about your work through social media and choose models, photographers and press contacts carefully, as these are the people who will help you make your business a fashion success.
