Start Your Own Fashion Line with These 8 Steps

Do you want to sell clothes online? Fashion is an industry that calls to people who not only love wearing clothes, but also love styling, designing and creating them. If you’re one of these people and you’re at a loss regarding what it takes to start your own fashion business, you’ve come to the right place.

Starting a fashion line is simple with these eight steps:

• Get inspired.

Every venture starts with an idea, and businesses are no exception. If you want to have your own clothing line, you probably already have an inkling of what you plan to sell. But simply deciding to sell clothes isn’t enough. You need more than a typical business plan; you need inspiration for designs that will keep you going for as long as you want to. You need something that’s on-trend yet unique, and something you know a lot of people will love to wear.

• Find your market.

Every business needs a market. The world of fashion is made up of so many markets because each person has a unique style that you can cater to. Thus, you can have your pick. Simplify your search by narrowing down your demographic and the style you think this group of people is likely to wear. Your market is affected by many things; age, gender, class, occupation, body type, and personal style are just a few of them.

• Have a reliable supplier.

Whether it’s raw materials if you’re doing your own sewing, or pieces that you had made based on your designs, you need to have a supplier you can count on. After all, how can you promise frequent collections and styles if you have no guarantees yourself? Have a supplier who isn’t just consistent and punctual, but is as committed to quality as you are. You want to establish a good name for yourself with products that people will love, and a large part of that is making sure your pieces are durable, well-made and damage-resistant.

• Craft your brand.

Make yourself memorable by having a brand that’s uniquely yours. More than just a logo, brand name or advertising materials, you need an edge over the competition. Before you can become a big-name designer, you need to start small. You won’t be recognized if your pieces are too similar to others in the industry. You also won’t be acknowledged if the clothes you sell don’t appeal to the market you’re after. Thus, you need to find a balance — a clothing line that’s unique to you but will be loved by the market you’re targeting, and one that will leave an impression as soon as they see it.

• Choose your platform.

Nowadays, there are so many places you can sell from. It doesn’t have to be a brick-and-mortar store, though that’s one of the most traditional options. If you aren’t quite able to afford a physical store yet, there’s a wide range of options available for you through technology. You can set up an online store by crafting a website for your brand, or if you want things to be even simpler, try out Shopify. You can also check out online marketplaces like Lazada, or create a shop account on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

• Price your products.

If this is your first time opening a business, you may be at a loss when it comes to pricing your pieces. In the case of your fashion line, there are a lot of things to take into consider, like your material, service and production costs. You’ll need to pay your suppliers, business fees, rent if you have a physical store, and delivery if you’re shipping from an online one. Consider all these when you’re pricing your products so you don’t fall flat. If you’re really lost, don’t hesitate to contact an expert, or someone with more experience.

• Know how to package.

Packaging is a task that can sometimes be overlooked. While quality, customer service and marketing are crucial parts of running your business, don’t underestimate the importance of good packaging. Quite a few retail sellers have found that packaging often sets their product apart from others who just haphazardly stick their pieces in a plastic bag and send it out. Giving care to your packaging shows that you care about how your product is presented and received, plus it works as a marketing material on its own.

• Have a team you trust.

You can start and manage a business all by yourself, but having a team to support you does wonders for your brand in the long run. Once you’ve reached the stage where you can hire people to help you out, you may need to make some changes to the way you normally do things. You need to ensure that they have the same dedication to your brand and its products as you do. You need to establish a love for the brand in order to develop loyalty among your team members. Most of all, you need to know how to manage your time among different members of the team, and learn how to delegate tasks as your brand evolves.

Starting a clothing line might seem daunting at first, and you may be confused about where to start. But just like every business, there’s a way to get into the industry and make a name for yourself. All it takes are hard work, great ideas, and the right tips — which is why, with these pointers, you’ll be setting up and selling out shelves in no time!

For all the fashion enthusiasts out there, make sure to check out Style Fest PH this upcoming September 7-9, 2018!