What’s the best way to get your fashion product to market? Deciding how you’re going to sell your line really depends on your financial goals, your personal goals and vision, and your target customer.
Here are some options to sell your product:
1) Sell to Boutiques The great thing about selling to boutiques is that you can really build a relationship with the buyer because she is often the owner. This type of continuity can make you and a retail shop “partners” in this business which can really help in a few ways; if you deliver late one season, for instance, and getting valuable feedback from the buyer about your line. (For tips on increasing the size of orders, watch this video).
2) Sell to Department Stores Definitely not recommended for new lines. The water is shark-filled and this sales avenue should be avoided until you get your sea legs – after a few seasons.
3) Sell through Trunk Shows I love trunk shows for New Designers as a way to sell your line. It’s good for you because retailers are generally willing to do a show since they don’t have to place an actual order up-front. The advantage of a trunk show to designers is that you get access to all the customers without having to do ALL the marketing. And even better? You get to meet the customers and get feedback from them re: fit, style, colors etc.
4) Sell Your Line at Home Parties These are NOT your mama’s Tupperware parties!. Check out Worth NY – last I heard it was an $80 million dollar company. That’s a lot of Tupperware. Other companies worth checking out are Stella & Dot and ETCETERA.
5) Sell at Art Fairs or Craft Fairs Selling your clothing line at a street fair will give you instant gratification. The customers pay retail prices and you get the money right away. You also get the interaction with your customer which is deadly important.
6) Sell Online You can set up your own online store, of course, or sell on Etsy or a similar site. But beware! Just putting your product up online will not make it sell. There is a lot of marketing involved to get traffic to your site and get your product off the shelf.
7) Open a Retail Store This is how I started my business but I wouldn’t recommend it to too many designers in the beginning. Why? Because the overhead is very high and you really want to get a sense of IF and HOW the market is responding to your line. Get a pulse from your target customer before you invest in a retail location.
Confused about what to do first?
If you’re a startup or thinking about launching a clothing line, I recommend you get as much information as possible about the size and scope of what you’re getting into – before you start spending money. Do your research, get an education, and get some contacts in the industry.
Ways we can help you:
- Online Startup Course: The New Designer Program click here
- Online Course: “How to Get Your Product Into Stores” click here
- Online Course for selling at Holiday Markets and craft shows: click here
You can make a great business using any of these selling strategies. It all depends on your goals for the business, your product category, who you want to work with, and HOW you want to do it.
You can do this.
I started my business when I was 25 – with very little money, very few “connections”, and very little life (or business) experience! I made a great living using my creativity for over 14 years, until I sold the wholesale and retail sides of my business.
Believe me… there is nothing so special about me – I’m no smarter or more creative that YOU!
If I could do it, you can do it.
As always, thanks for reading!
Jane
37 Responses
How do I get my designs my clothes manufactured?
Hello there,
I got my own workroom, we would be happy to produce your garments.
Let me know by mine email.
Thank
Michael
Hi Michael, I have been trying to find someone to manufacturer my designs for over a year now. Would you be interested?
Hi
Please can you give me some more info about how you can help in garment manufacturing please.
I would like to start my own label but need a manufacturer.
Many thanks
Hi Sofi,
I have an online course that covers that topic: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/how-to-work-with-a-sewing-contractor-online-workshop/
Best of luck to you!
Jane
Hay This Is Prodip From Bangladesh.we are manufacturing differents kinds of garments product.if you are interested please contract with me.
I have a unique logo with an upbeat brand currently working to put this in motion with a dropshipper and online platform. I’m looking for help scaling to a manufactured brand all of its own
Thanks for all the good info on this site. Trying to start a t-shirt and jeans brand. Looking for someone to manufacture the shirts and jeans. Any help to point me in the right direction would be appreciated
Charmika, That’s a big question for a quick blog reply so I’m afraid I cannot address it specifically. If you want to learn the entire process of Starting a Fashion Business, I recommend my “New Designer Program” online course. You can find it here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/blog/e-learning/
I will be going to London soon and want to sell my clothing line to boutiques there yet I dont know what store to go to. All my line consists of handmade pieces woven with the finest fabrics from silk to crepe de chine blending my culture to a minimal vision of life.
It is pure, clean and refined, however i need to know who can i showcase it to in hope that it will sell.
Kindly help me dear Jane
Do to this website http://www.modemonline.com/fashion/
It’s a bible for emerging designers. There you can find lists of multibrand boutiques all around the world, showrooms, trade shows, etc.
Thank you Jane, this is very informative. This will help me, please share more with us. I have just started this journey and I am willing to learn on how to run a succesful business. Thanks
Good for you! I try to share as much good info as possible, including one free Webinar a month for designers. You can find the schedule here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/blog/events/
Thank you Jane
how do i convince the retailer since the idea of our new clothing line is brilliantly different.
Hi Avi,
You don’t. Retailers aren’t up for being “convinced”. They are, however, swayed by what’s already selling. If you get a small following and can show them proof that your product has a good sell-through, that will help tremendously.
-Jane
Jane !
You are brilliant…thanks for Motivating us.
Ali
Thanks, Ali!!
Are there any listings of trunk shows in NYC? Thanks!
Good info guys thanks a lot.
Thanks, Fly Boy!
Jane, I am a designer looking for a way to get my designs manufactured. I have made one of every design how do I get them out there
Hi Susan! I’m not sure if you’re looking for a manufacturer or to learn how to sell your product. I’ll explain what we offer that could help youu.
If you want to learn how to work with a manufacturer, try this: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/how-to-work-with-a-sewing-contractor-online-workshop/
If you want to learn how to sell your product to boutiques, try this: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/training-courses/sell-boutiques/
If you want the entire Fashion Startup 101 course, try this: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/training-courses/new-designer-program/
You can also use the search feature on our blog to find free articles here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/diary-of-a-designer/
I hope that helps!
-Jane
Hi Susan,
I’m interested to manufacture your design. Pls contact at Sakil@advintex.com
I have lots of ideas and have designed clothes in past in which I had seamstresses make for me. It is a unique style of clothing and I would like sell my ideas. What is the first step I should take?
I have a video about selling ideas (though I’m not sure you’re going to like what it says): https://fashionbrainacademy.com/how-do-i-sell-my-design-ideas-to-a-big-fashion-company/
Also, for your first 3 steps to starting a business, go here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/i-have-a-great-idea-for-a-product-what-do-i-do-first/
Hello,
I have about 500 dresses in stock and need to sell my business due to health reasons.
My business has been very successful unfortunately I am unable to continue.
Do you have any idea how I can find someone who would be interested in purchasing?
My garments are all high end and of great quality to great prices.
I am also willing to negotiate, asking price is £4.500.
Thanks
Gaya
Thank you very much for sharing these valuable tips.
My pleasure, Jenny!
Hello!
Can you recommend the best places to get fabric in the US?
Thanks!!
Hi Kelly,
“Best” is relative depending on if you make women’s apparel, menswear, accessories, baby clothes, activewear, etc… And let’s say you make activewear, do you make a product that competes with Lululemon or is it at much lower pricepoint? Price and quality are huge factors for which fabric is “best”.
I suggest you start with this free guide to buying wholesale fabric and do some research:
https://fashionbrainacademy.com/fabric-sourcing/
Hope that helps,
Jane
Hello, my name is Minja and I have been very successful fashion designer for almost 10 years now. I am trying to sell more then 20 unique outfits mostly made from leather. Do you have any idea how I can find someone who would be interested in purchasing?
Thank you very much
I’ve just launched my clothing brand and I’ve had a few orders already – it’s very gender fluid. I’m looking to try to pitch my designs to other stores. How do I do this?
Thank you this helped me so much im working on a project didnt know where to start.
Terrific! So glad it helped you. -Jane
Hi
I am a designer looking to sell a one off piece 60’s inspired tweed dress.
The issue I have is that I hand bead my own garments, which means I only get to make one piece at a time because of finances.
I have reached out to individual boutiques but it appears most of them are only willing to sell if you have a collection of more than 5 pieces. I wan to sell this one off dress to have the money to make another…
Does anyone know of boutiques which will taken on independent designer selling one off pieces?
Thanks