What is the best way to start a career in shoe/accessories/clothes design?

Question

I am a lawyer but find no happiness or fulfillment in my profession. All I really wanna do is to design shoes, accessories and clothes but I do not possess enough capital or technical skills (sewing, etc) to start.

What to do what to do??

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

I would probably proceed carefully. I have several friends that wanted to leave the legal profession. I'd do a little research first to see what kind of careers are available. Do you want to go into design or would you rather decide what is sold in stores?

I'd look at evening classes if possible or read some books to gain more technical experience. Once you start making accessories or clothing, it might be easier to attract capital.

Also examine the possibility that leaving the legal field may not make you happier. It's a broad field and you might find something that is more suited to your interests that utilizes your specialized skills and education.