Think of this blog post as Wicked, but for polyester. What happens in the show is that, when we hear the story from a different perspective our feelings and opinions about all the characters shift. And, what we learn is that we often cast judgments with limited information. And, that’s what the media has done to polyester.
Let me guess. You have an idea, maybe you've even been thinking about it for years. And, now you are finally ready to pull the trigger and make your dream of starting a clothing company come true. The problem? The world of apparel manufacturing is complicated and confusing. The truth is, there are so many ways...
Are you a startup fashion brand ready to take your line to the next level by starting to sell in stores? If yes, you are definitely going to need a line sheet. Whether you plan to sell your clothes in small local mom and pop stores, or retail giants like Nordstrom's the basic tools you need to reach out to potential buyers and present your line is always the same - and they start with a good line sheet. So, here is how to make one.
One more thing before you get started on the fun part of your clothing line - get your accounting and bookkeeping in order. The earlier the better. Believe me, it's a nightmare when tax season rolls around and your books are a mess. The easiest way to keep your financials stress free is to keep track of them in real-time. If you are just getting started, or even if you are an established brand that always seems to find themselves in a panic around tax time, try these fashion accounting tricks to make your clothing line finances easy.
Does this sound like you? It's always been your dream to start your own clothing line. You see a need in the market, you are passionate about a product - there is just one problem. You know nothing about fashion. That's ok. To get you started, here is my first lesson, fashion design for beginners - the importance of merchandising.
For years I have been trying to learn the rules of football (the American kind) so I can follow along while my friends watch. What do you think has been more helpful to me - an article that lists all the players on the field and what they do or a deep dive into how a football is made? Obviously the first post with an overview of all the players.
Think of developing and producing your garments like me learning football. To start off you don't need to know every single little detail of a tech pack or how to comment on fit samples. In the beginning, you just need to know the players in the game, or in the case of the garment manufacturing process the steps to follow.
Before you launch your sustainable startup, you need to make a clothing line business plan. The guide takes you through all the steps w/ real brand examples
How to start a clothing line for free - the truth is there are some costs to start a clothing brand, but with these free tools and advice, you can save money.
Sustainable Clothing Manufacturing - how to find the right factory partners that align with your values, and what to look for sourcing sustainable textiles.
Times are tough for the fashion industry. Especially for small businesses that might not have the portfolio diversification or cash reserves that larger companies have. But,virtue + viceis here for you. That is why I made this ultimate fashion grant list that you can apply to now for aid.
I will continue to update this list as more grants become available.