Starting a small business in clothing line.?

Question

Can all of you who read this please help me understand the business better. Im looking to start my own clothing line and was wondering what steps or precautions i should take. Starting from the logo to selling. How and where do i find a manufacture? Where do i get my sample made? How much does it usually cost? I dont have much money right now but how much would i need for a sample? how do i get my clothes in the stores? how easy or hard is it? please... i have lots of questions but no answers. I would really appreciate it if someone can help guide me towards the right path. Thank You

I am a business student and well aware of the complexity of starting a business. I just need insights as to the steps needed in actually starting a small clothing line, starting with selling disigner shirts first. Just t-shirts for now.

Answer 1

The fashion industry, as you can well imagine, is a very competitive one. To succeed takes knowledge, patience, talent and a bit of luck. As far as the knowledge bit goes, I found some sources that will assist you further.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have about the clothing industry as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

There's nothing quite like research – the more you know about the clothing industry, the better. There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Also, here are some book titles that may interest you:

* The Official Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line by Jay Arrington,
* The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing by Leslie Davis Burns
* Fashion for Profit (Revised Edition with Retail Chapter) by Frances Harder
* The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business by Mary Gehlhar

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

You'll have to know more about business than design for opening your own shop. You really should take a business course in college and even manage a retail store before you take on such a venture. I see to many good shops go down the drain due to lack of education.

I would like to recommend that you put clothing and shoes under one roof (especially shoes that accomodate high insteps)

Answer 3

you would need ALOT of money to invest in this.. but if you have great skills then you would need an average amount to get it out into market.. to find a manufacture you should do market reseach. to start your own bussiness has ALOT of commitment.. i really want to start one too lol but i'm only 13 soo what could i do.. anywho. (but please read mine.. i think it would be really helpful)

to get your samples made. have a detailed design back, front view and so on. and research an exeptianally cheap tailor but does good work. you should also wear your products, use word of mouth with family and friends they would love to help too.. like to wear your designs occasionally etc.. create a website. with news (about your products) pictures etc.. sell your products onine like your own website or ebay. would be helpfull @ first ( you got to start somewhere) getting your clothes in the stores is a very very hard job to do. so i sugest you start with making your own small store and know whom your target audience is (eg: teenagers, women , men, children, all) you can make cards or leaflets.. to put in peoples doors etc.. then try and look for an investor as the bussiness grows.. it would take about 6-12 months before your business is on stable ground. maybe even more.

just make your decisions carefully. take a look at how much money is needed for this design to be a success in this world lol.. Industry is getting bigger and bigger eveyday. so its best if you act NOW!! lol

Key points

*money (budget) plan the amount of money you would need..
* research. this links to money too. go around talors. advertising companies etc.. and work out the cost of all the props etc..

* commitment. DO NOT give up first round. you'll get there someday.. think of Sir alan Sugar.. (check out his bio.) lol

* advertising - family, word of mouth, friends.


hope it helped ^.^
I wish you all the very best in this business!!

Answer 4

i work in retail & i learned a little about tis business. the risk of clothes getting stolen is very big. & also when u find a partner to be in the business w/ u.. u have to choose carefully.. u have to trust them... b/c my manager used to hav a business before & b/c of untrust partner, she had to close her business.
as for manufacturer.. i'm not sure but i think companies oversea? since it's a big retail store. visual of the store is the most important b/c it attracts buyers... so u should get someone w/ at least some visual knowledge.

Answer 5

Hi, seems like you don't know where to start with your business. When it comes to garments retailing you have to be specific, depends also on what target market are you aiming for your products and where are you selling your goods.If you have any further questions you can email me. I have expertise with manufacturing and retailing of garments. email me if youre interested. By the way, I also manufacture garments and i have my own factory maybe I can be of good help to your growing business.

Answer 6

Hi

I can help for your logo ;)

I am professional freelance brand designer.

check some of my samples at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_de_sign/sets/72157594369087064/show/

[e-mail]