A lot of what happens in the fashion industry is sort of “underground”. You know, off the radar. You can’t just google up all the answers you need to start and run a successful fashion business. It just doesn’t work that way. I’t s more a business of relationships and being “in” so you learn the information. If you’ve worked in the industry and have built up a network, you can get answers. For everyone else, there’s Fashion Brain.
So today I’m sharing a little tidbit about a sneaky little way to get your first samples made. The strategy I share in this video clip has worked for dozens of new designers in lots of different cities. It’s a clip from a live event for Startups and it’s exactly what I teach my private clients.
This is s a video clip from my live event, the “Launch a Line” Bootcamp.
A few weeks ago, I taught the entire step by step process of launching a line recently to new designers. It included the most common questions I get, like what it’s going to cost to launch, where to find a manufacturer, how to price your collection, how to choose a customer, how many styles should be on your line, and where to find customers, and how to approach a retail buyer.
You’ll get the recordings of ALL our live sessions, plus the sessions with our Brains. You get online access to all the info – for 3 years so you can take it all in at your own pace.
Click here to check out the event: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/launch/
Now I want to hear from you! What do you think about my feeling that the fashion industry is an “insider business”? Am I craxy? or have you found the same thing?
Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading and watching,
Jane
12 Responses
Jane, you always do a good job of dropping little gems of wisdom.
Thanks Chris!
This abosolute true. I am trying to launch my own line and find it so hard to get information on expecially finding fabric at a good wholesale price, sample maker ect . thanks for this little gem
Hi!
Have you downloaded my free report? “How to Find Fabric in Small Quantities and NOT Get Ripped Off in the Process”. i share 24 of my favorite fabric and trim sources that sell small quantities. It’s perfect for small companies!
Jane
You know it, sister. You helped me unlock the secret door to the world of textile professionals.
Ha! I love that, Janette. It really does seem like a secret world.
Jane
Great tips Jane!! Some things I had never thought of! I design leather handbags, so not sure how feasible this is for me, but I will definitely give it a try. You are on point about the fashion industry being an insider business. It’s felt like that for as long as I can remember! Thanks for opening doors for us!! 🙂
Janette,
You’re right. with leather handbags it’s trickier. You probably want to go straight to a bag manufacturer. If you want to try a “Back door” idea, perhaps you could contact show repair shops. You never know!
Jane
Jane! When and where is your next event?
Hi Andrikka! Whenever we plan something, we post it here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/events. Thanks!
– Jane
This is a great tip. One of the ideas that I’m thinking of is along the same lines to help with production. In the beginning I will be doing the production (goal is to set up my own manufacturing facility down the road), and to help with that, I thought that the blind hemming for all my skirts could be done by a local seamstress at our dry cleaner. Assuming that I could get a bulk discount to make it work. But she has equipment that I don’t have, so I see it as an option. Once I ‘prove my line’, I can then buy the necessary equipment and hire someone to take on more production tasks. Just trying to think outside the box in the startup phase.
Yes! I love the way you’re approaching this.