Things To Consider When Starting A Fashion Brand
Starting a fashion brand is talked about the same way people talk about starting any other business. But unlike many other companies, creating a fashion brand is based on one's creativity and vision. This makes it difficult for someone to start something they have no experience with to succeed unless highly driven.
The Idea
The first step when starting your fashion brand would be coming up with the idea you want to produce clothing. Try looking at what's currently on the market, or explore new styles to see what could be made in real life. Once you find an idea, even if it doesn't match your style, make sure you try making some designs to get a feel of how much work will go into creating each piece of clothing.
The Audience
After you've got a general idea of what you want to make, it's time to pick your target audience. For example, if your brand is intended for women in their mid-20s who live in the North East US and work as elementary school teachers, that should be made clear to anyone looking into buying or investing in your business.
The Manufacturer
Another big step in starting a fashion brand is finding the proper manufacturer. For almost every indie apparel company out there, each design they create must be manufactured to become an actual product that their consumers can sell or wear. Finding a manufacturer requires some research and good communication skills, as it is tough to find a time that works for both parties. Do not under any circumstances work with someone that fails to show you their past work or claims that the quality of their clothing is perfect. That's a red flag right there, and if they don't want to share references, try finding someone else to manufacture your clothing.
The Sales
Once you're confident enough with the foundation of your fashion line, and you have made some designs for your clothing and found a manufacturer, you need to decide what platforms you want your clothing line to be sold on. Many different platforms like RedBubble, Storenvy, or BigCartel can all help expand your reach to new people who might not have known about your brand otherwise. Also, get out there and sell at local boutiques, at college campus stores, or even go door-to-door to sell your clothing. In addition, social media marketing is a great way to get your brand's name out there and start building a following.
The Logistics
Another integral part of starting a fashion brand is handling the logistics. For example, if you're going to sell on Etsy, you have to remember that there is a 5% transaction fee and 3% for shipping. Consider using other shipping services to deliver goods on time, for more info click on this link: https://www.shiply.com/us/hot-shot-trucking. In addition, if your goal is to make it big, then keep in mind that you'll have to pay approx 30% in taxes for each item you sell. In order to save money, don't forget to buy business supplies like shipping boxes and make sure every aspect of the ordering process is clear, from your return policy to your contact information.
The Reward
Starting a fashion brand can be rewarding and very fulfilling, but it will take time and effort on the creator's part. It requires creativity, research of current markets for inspiration, and careful thought about who you want wearing your clothes. If you're up for the challenge of creating a business from scratch, good luck!
