I don’t know about you but I found myself wondering lately if “fair trade fashion” and “sustainability” were one and the same thing or not?
We all want to look and feel great. there are countless ways in which we are told we can achieve this. One less talked about
Just because you started your brand and it is your “baby” doesn’t mean that you know or have the skills to grow it and make
Jane Hamill, a successful ex-clothing designer and retailer who saw a growing need in this niche for honest advice and specific step-by-step strategies to run
If you have a fashion brand chances are at some point or right now you might be wondering why you are not selling – at
If you want to discover what invaluable lessons I learned from launching a fashion fine jewellery brand, then read on. It is often said that
Back in 2008 I launched my very own fine jewellery brand Deci London. Despite knowing so much after working for 10+ years in the fashion
A childhood love for hats became a thriving business for Swiss-born, Thailand based Anne-Claude, the founder of accessories resort brand Mon Panama. When the pandemic
Meet Monika Young, a London-based creative, ex-fast fashion buyer and a lover of all things California. When her buying job in Berlin started giving her
Most fashion brand founders chase cash in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. Often if they find financial success at the beginning, they
Yusuf’s passion for making started whilst reading law at The London School of Economics where he thrived in the extracurricular. He continued to explore his
Most creative brand founders inexperienced in business observe and emulate how others do it. However, so much can be missed and left invisible to a
Have you seen a skyscraper built on top of a cluster of smaller houses and buildings? No, right? Not possible of course – we all
Most creative brand founders and designers overestimate the importance of individual products and design elements and hugely underestimate the importance of having cohesive fashion collections.
Meet Sonia Summan – a multi-talented fashion industry expert who has spent 20+ years specialising in sales for a wide range of brands from the
More than half of those brands that launch close doors within a year or two of launch. Many struggle a little longer and join the
Meet Arlette Ess – a self-taught artist and ex-model who turned her art into wearable creations. And not only that…her works of art can now
The great creative brand founders, leaders and fashion business CEOs ask the best questions in order to get the right information. This is what ultimately
Following on from the last episode setting out business trends to be mindful of throughout 2022, in this episode Dessy speaks to Karolina Barnes about
As we turn the leaf to a new year – what can we expect from a year that follows on from an already very challenging
To niche or not to niche is the question most ambitious fashion would be fashion-preneurs and brand founders should ask themselves but oftentimes don’t. The
Every day, the average person creates enough waste to fill a trash truck. That means that you’re responsible for producing around 4 pounds of garbage
Become A Fashion Insider (The Book) is OUT! After years of thinking about it and hoping I will discover another book on the topic (and
Uncover Your Money Blocks & Grow Your Creativity & Wealth with Polly Alexandre Polly Alexandre started her professional career in the fashion industry, but that
More Invaluable Fashion Insiders Resources: Fashion Insiders & Co official website: https://fashioninsiders.co/ Instagram: @fashioninsidersco Discover more great content on our YouTube channel. If you enjoyed
What is UX design and why should we know about it? Stephanie Irwin has worn many hats within the fashion industry and as a podcaster,
Stephanie Irwin has worn many hats within the fashion industry and as a podcaster, she knows more than most about what the true face of
How to Turn Your Fashion Website Into a Growth Engine with Lily Hattingh Lily Hattingh is one-half of the Mojo Media Agency – a boutique
Kate Hills, the founder of Make It British is perhaps the best-known British manufacturing champion. Over the last decade or so, she has challenged creatives
While most of us procrastinate from time to time, creatives often take procrastination to a whole new level and turn it into perfectionism. Perfectionism, in
Everything Leads to Something with Luxury Accessories Fashion Brand Furious Goose Meet Patrick Morrison – a trained artist, turned branding and graphic design consultant, turned
7 Fashion Business Lessons to Help You Grow Your Brand Every fashion designer and creative entrepreneur who goes into business for themselves and spends time
Why using Pinterest for fashion brands is the best marketing strategy for growth. If you are frustrated with social media and do not see the
Fashion clothing manufacturing is a key process in the lifecycle of launching and growing a product-based brand. Often mismanaged, rarely given its dues – fashion
How Sarah Haran turned a handbag hobby into a successful brand story We often hear stories about fashion brands whose founders made a successful transition
How to grow a feminist lingerie fashion brand and sell it in 6 years. It is not often that we hear success stories involving small
Honesty and Contacts are the Secrets to Sustainable Fabric Sourcing Meet Ngaire Takano – is a sustainable fabric sourcing expert. She helps fashion brands source
Superfit Hero is an American activewear brand unlike any other. Founded in 2015 by Micki Krimmel, the brand emerged from her experience as a competitive
5 Reasons Not to Discount Your Products Everybody loves a bargain – but what benefit or damage can this bring is the question. Lowering prices
Creating a successful fashion brand means that you need to focus on creating a sustainable fashion business. Creating a sustainable fashion business means that you
Knowing how to speak to investors is what every entrepreneur must know. Funding the growth of your fashion business eventually will require you to raise
The biggest cause for fashion brands to fail before they have even launched or later down the line and cease trading is a lack of
Following graduation Chelsea Chu was lucky to find employment quickly in the fashion industry. And not just any job but a buyer’s position for an
As creative entrepreneurs we often feel overwhelmed with the myriad of tasks and jobs we have to do and hats we have to wear. Many
Launching and growing a fashion brand is a lonely process. Particularly as a solo founder going to market and growing a premium purpose-driven brand. Today’s
No matter how long you may have been in the fashion industry and the level of success you have as a business, if you are
If you are frustrated that your brand is not growing faster, you might be making one or more fashion brand positioning mistakes. In this episode,
Fashion manufacturing is challenging at the best of times, but when you are first starting out – it can easily seem like the biggest challenge
Many graduate designers encounter challenges along the way of making it in the fashion industry that often leads them to set up a business that
What can you do if you know that the world can be your oyster and you are passionate about fashion and sustainability? In the
If you want to do a great fashion marketing job for your brand and generate more sales, no matter the economic climate – you need
E20: Katie Deming MD, Founder of MakeMerry sensitive skin bra brand “Sometimes we are positioned to see a need that no one else is seeing”
What sets successful businesses apart from the not-so-successful ones is not the money they had to begin with or the quality and the ideas they
Fashion Retail Strategy for Growth Meet Catherine Erdly – a fashion retail specialist passionate about helping creatives get comfortable with numbers. Because let’s face it
How to Turn Fashion Deadstock Into Cash Leftover stock in any shape or form is deadstock. Literally! It sits on a shelf, clothes rail, or
Can you come home to yourself through style? Can you rediscover your feminine powers by making better choices with what you chose to wear and?
This is Unfolded is a new “brand” and a new form of shopping rolled into one. Though the concept is not new, the way the
Lora Gene is the creative force and founder behind the eponymous womenswear brand Lora Gene. What started organically has evolved into a true purpose-driven brand
As part of our support for the cause championed by Fashion Revolution we meet and interview Bhaavya Goenka – the founder behind the zero-waste Indian
Creative entrepreneurs are often known to take creative career turns and go down roads less travelled. One such story is recounted here by Joey Pringle
“Sustainability” is on everyone’s lips and brains, yet almost everyone calling their brand “sustainable” fashion brand is effectively “greenwashing”. Regardless of the size, regardless of
Katie Ramsingh is a fashion copywriter specializing in writing copy for fashion brands that target the Gen Z and Millennial market. Having worked with some
The concept of “launches” is broken. Executing a product or collection launch is not for everyone and often doesn’t work. Particularly if you are a
You may think it is an easy one but you’d be surprised how many fashion entrepreneurs knowingly or unknowingly opt to work with the wrong
The fashion industry is forever changed as a result of 2020. Some of the new post-pandemic fashion trends emerging will have a long-lasting effect, others
Lorenzo de Leo: Luxury Leathergoods Manufacturing Every designer’s dream is to find a manufacturer that they can trust, who knows and cares just as much
Clubhouse app – the new audio social network taking the online world by storm has the potential to bring about change in the fashion industry
Meet Candice Lau – a graphic designer who followed her intuition and interests, which led her to change her career and become a leather craftwoman.
Despite how much information can be found online, it is as hard as ever, for fashion entrepreneurs to find a good manufacturing partner to work
As we grapple with pandemic-charged change in the fashion industry, as well as, in business and society in general – the fashion market has become
E1 Quick Introduction Hey there! Welcome to the very first episode of the Fashion Insiders Podcast with Dessy. After much time planning and thinking about
Leftover fabric, deadstock materials, surplus stock…these are words that a decade ago were not part of the fashion vocabulary. If you had included them in
Vegan Leather or Real Animal Leather? Sustainability and making fashion more responsible and better for the planet have been on the global environmental agenda for
What a phenomenal time to be alive. There has been no other time in the history of humankind when so much has changed in such
While we are going through these unprecedented times caused by Covid-19, many fashion start-ups and independent fashion brands might be thinking about how the industry
To launch and grow a fashion brand online seems like a glamorous way to make a living. Fashionistas and those with an eye for style
Knowing how to grow a fashion brand is always useful, least of all because it can be very costly. I often say that launching and
Fashion manufacturing is not for the faint-hearted. Working with the wrong manufacturer can be painful. Fashion manufacturing is like relationships. In fact, it is apt
Sustainable fashion terminology can be confusing to most. Like many other industries, fashion is shaped by economic and political forces. It is like a living
The rise of cruelty-free fashion and beauty brands is apparent and all around us. Over the last few years, keen followers of fashion, no doubt
The reasons why one should attend an industry trade fair have changed over the last few years. But their importance has not diminished, as long as you know what to expect and ma
In product-based businesses, the issue of excess stock is often a problem that is overlooked. It is, in fact, one of the silent killers known
True entrepreneurs are often driven by a resilient sense of mission. They don’t start businesses out of a desire, but out of need and want
Many fashion brand owners and entrepreneurs I speak to often complain about lack of sales and ask “how do you increase sales for your fashion
Designing a fashion collection is relatively easy. Anyone can do it. But creating and putting together a cohesive fashion collection that sells requires you to
Fashion pricing strategy is one of the most challenging areas for fashion apparel and accessories brands. For the most part, the challenge is due to
Graduating with both a degree in Accounting and Apparel Design, it is no wonder that Natalie Smith married her love for exactness and passion for
In today’s oversaturated market, to build fashion brand trust, stand out and build or create a loyal following is not so easy. Not impossible, but
Buying ethical clothing and talking about ethical fashion has become the “in” thing of our generation. But what does it mean? What makes clothes ethical?
Infusing your fashion brand with Know Like Trust factor is incredibly important in today’s oversaturated designer fashion market. Or any industry for that matter. Gone
Gul E Raana is the founder and creative force behind the hand embroidery London based brand – Wenlin Studio. Though only a couple of years
To launch a fashion brand to a specific niche of customers or market is an age-old tested recipe for business success. To grow your fashion
To launch a fashion brand to a specific niche of customers or market is an age-old tested recipe for business success. In these 3 part
When starting a fashion business, much like starting any business, there are some rules that apply and are there for a reason. Rule number one
How marketers can employ colours to affect customers’ emotions and behaviour. Let’s find out how colours affect consumer buying behaviour. Almost 93% of people decide
Working with clothing manufacturers overseas is a natural progression for many fashion brands. The move is often necessitated by two main factors – a need
If you’re looking to become a jewellery designer, there are plenty of ways to go about achieving your goal. While there’s no one “right” way
Social media videos are a successful and professional way of delivering messages and keeping your network informed of what you are doing. Creating viral video
We can’t all afford the designer styles we see on celebrities and runway models. So, we often settle for cheap alternatives. Unfortunately, there’s a price
QUESTION: When should I look for a manufacturer – before or after the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign I plan to do, to raise funds, to
The fashion industry is like no other. To those on the outside – it is a glamorous and glitzy industry that looks fun and promises
The 2008 global recession has a lot to answer for. Aside from so many fashion brands and retailers closing doors and filing for bankruptcy, many
Tech packs! Love them or hate them, if you’re in fashion – you simply need them! Like anything in life, the quality of the outcome
For an industry as dynamic and fast-paced as fashion, why do so many fashion brands fail? A topic that’s covered more and more of late,
To grow your fashion business you need to not only be visually creative but also be creative with how you conduct business, your strategy, marketing
The terms “ethical (fashion) manufacturing” and “sustainability” have become the buzz words of our generation. But are they just a marketing gimmick or do brands
Were you aware that there are six, yes six popular methods presently used to transfer coloured patterns onto cloth? No, neither did I. With so
To plan a fashion photoshoot is incredibly time-consuming and setting aside weeks, and even months, to arrange everything is quite common. The more time you
Starting a business on one’s own is never easy. But starting one in the fashion arena is a particularly steep hill to climb, full of
Selecting the correct size label for your clothing range and whether you use letters or numbers sends a clear message about the market you aim
Providing factories with a “Technical Drawing” otherwise known as a “Flat Drawing” is one of the essential requirements when manufacturing garments or accessories. Whether you
Here are 5 categories of challenges in fashion business that fashion entrepreneurs fail to focus on at the start of a new brand/business/product launch. This article will help you figure out what you can do about these challenges.
What is sample development and how to work out & plan how much money you will need for sample development if you are just starting out?
Can a business fulfil every demand put across by consumers? These days consumers have become creators as well as critics and it has put a good load on small businesses. Find out what consumer personalisation means for businesses.
Are the students learning anything valuable (i.e., updated) in terms of the real-world fashion jobs? After graduation, students are not left with enough opportunities thus, leading to designers only. Here we explore more fashion jobs opportunities after graduation.
Individuals and brands don’t mind copying a design, if they think they can get away with it. In this article, we cover various ways in which you can stop getting plagiarised and protect your future designs.
Ever wondered what size should you launch your brand in? S, M, L and in what quantities? What about colourways? Should you include more styles in each? Here is your answer.
In the past, we have covered haute couture designers through the ages: 1900’s-1950’s. In this post, we will cover the present day haute couture designers, how it is surviving, who is buying it and how it has changed.
We all need mentors in some point in our lives. Whether it’s our own business or a 9 to 5 job, these top tips will definitely help us find the right mentors for us and get the best out of them.
The “couture” of the past – what it means – history and origins, who did it, who bought it, couture techniques that make couture – couture. Here we talk about the period 1930s-50s part 2
The “couture” of the past – what it means – history and origins, who did it, who bought it, couture techniques that make couture – couture. Here we talk about the period 1930s-50s.
Let’s look at the factors contributing to the fragmentation of retail.
Have an idea and don’t know what to do with it, where to begin and what is important to know? Read the answer below
Is the Retail vs E-commerce battle, really worth fighting over? Can’t they both live in harmony and both the worlds coexist?
Read the author’s view in this article.
Silent Goods is a brand that asks the question – Is it really possible to go against the grain and to create a fledgeling, sustainable and transparent brand that’s distributed through online sales only?
I “made my wardrobe” is not something you often hear someone say. There are many motivations behind the decisions to make your own clothes. Utelier meets Lydia Higginson who did just that and in the process turned her passion into a business.
Brands with any integrity have been thinking of ways to build their businesses with a sustainable advantage for a while now. Below are 7 Eco-friendly practices that a fashion business can do to contribute to sustainability in the fashion industry.
Knowing how to finance a fashion business is one of the essential requirements for staying in business. Read our 5 top tips on how to find funds for your fashion idea.
Working with fashion manufacturing companies is easy if you know and follow the few simple do’s and don’t do’s most entrepreneur learn the hard way. Don’t be one of them – read this and get a start on the right track.
It has never been so easy or so hard to start a fashion brand. Read what clothing manufacturers wish fashion startups do less of and how to best present yourself to suppliers if you want to work with them.
How to get the best out of your pattern cutter should be at the forefront of your mind if you’re about to embark on developing a fashion range. Learn how to prepare for your meeting.
One of the hardest things for a fashion brand is to know how to connect with retail buyers and stay in touch with them continuously.
You don’t have to be Karl Lagerfeld to launch your brand. Learning how to communicate your designs and draw is just a skill that, with practice, can be acquired and improved on.
A wholesale fashion line sheet is an essential sales tool for every brand no matter how small or large must present to buyers if they are to be taken seriously.
A beginner or an experienced professional, everyone needs to know the best way to make their first proto sample.
The Fashion Switch is an essential easy read for anyone interested to start a fashion business or even for those who are already in the industry. It is insightful and practical, peppered with case studies and examples of business mistakes or wins.
To start a handbag line in such a competitive retail marketplace is a brave endeavour and definitely not for the faint-hearted. All aspects of its development need to work harmoniously in order to create a ‘perfect storm’.
If you are a beginner, how will you create your pattern before even fixing a factory in the first place? Read to know how.
Fabric sourcing raw materials in advance of manufacturing is an essential part of the development process. Let’s find out which is more advantageous – fabric sourcing yourself or asking the factory for support.
The Chinese textile manufacturing industry is one of the world’s biggest apparel exporters to the west. But their Chinese new year celebrations can affect negatively your fashion business. Read and learn how to avoid this from happening.
Once you have perfected the design process, product development and sample making, your marketing should begin in earnest. Catching the eye of important buyers, press and potential customers can be done in many ways but the most effective is to send out a fashion lookbook.
The Fashion Fair used to be all about selling. But it is now much more difficult to actually take an order at a Fashion Fair as they have now become marketing exercises and not sales events.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is a requirement of factories – the lowest quantity of a certain product that a supplier is willing to produce.
Unlike ready-to-wear which is about predicting the future, couture while expensive is an altogether more relaxed affair. The point of haute couture fashion is that it symbolizes the present for future generations to learn about the past. Learn the history here.
Cutting fabric for production is a skill seasoned professionals know about and use as a way to make savings. Scaling up from sampling to production is a huge leap in regards to fabric and trimmings consumption.
Every day newcomers enter the fashion industry. While they may bring new ideas and enthusiasm, their lack of knowledge of how the industry works, development and sourcing know-how and process often leaves them exhausted and with depleted funds.
Every industry has its own way of expressing technical might and glamour. Car manufacturers have supercars that showcase their expertise. In fashion – it is
Fashion trend forecasting agencies are the “archaeologists of the future”. Read what they do, how they do it and why are they important.
“Double Double” by Cameron Herold is a business book full of ‘unexpected’ lessons. The premise behind it, that if you followed the basic teaching of it, you will double your business in three years.
Read on to learn what makes a perfect fitting session and what you must ensure you have in place if you do not want to waste time and money.
Fashion product testing Furthermore enables the reduction of risks such as product recalls, helps protect your brand and gain the trust of the consumer. Learn what are the basic tests you should perform for your product.
How to find a factory to make your product? A common question anyone looking to turn their fashion idea into a reality will ask countless times. Not because it is hard to find contacts these days, but simply because the prospect of contacting a manufacturer, whether by phone or through email, for the first time can be a scary one.
If you are a denim-wearing eco-warrior then perhaps you are more fashion and less eco-conscious! Read below and get the basics of why the current denim manufacturing has a negative environmental impact.
Care instruction cards are an excellent way to communicate your brand values and educate your customer about your product, especially if your products are handmade or use any specialist materials.
Films – be it documentaries, short or feature-length movies hold the power to make us laugh or cry in equal measures; they can educate and above all – inspire us to dream.
As a fashion designer, exploring the options in regards to manufacturing, there are many things to consider. One of the hardest and most important decisions would be how to get your bulk production made. Learn how successful brands do it and the two most widely used methods they work to.
Fashion trade shows are a great opportunity for a new designer brand to announce its arrival on the fashion scene. For those more established, exhibiting at trade shows is just another way to access new national and international buyers.
Working with Indian manufacturers offshore is a good option for any growing fashion brand looking to improve margin, but before you embark, consider these wise words and the benefit of others experiences.
Making a perfect garment sample good enough for the factory to follow through to production, can be approached in three ways. Whichever way you choose, your final outcome is to produce items to a very high standard so that they can be used by a factory as a template for your production.
Rossella Ramanzini grew up in an Italian family of artists. But her art led her to silk scarves and her struggles turned her into a manufacturer. Read about her art and journey in fashion.
Sourcing fabric for new fashion collections is one of the most exciting aspects of running a fashion label. Learn how to do it better with our top tips.
The One Thing by Gary Keller is an insightful book about eliminating what you want less and including what you want more. The One Thing reaches to a near about perfection in delivering what it promises – mastering ONE THING.
Introducing alternative textiles is just one and a relatively small step in creating a sustainable environment and it may be the answer to the sustainable fashion quest.
Before embarking on production for your fashion start-up, you will no doubt research the differences between manufacturing locally or offshore. Costs will surely be at the forefront of your mind, but there are so many other things to consider.
Foreign brands that work in Asia often do so with the help of buying agencies. Ayushi Nath, a fashion designer at Impulse buying agency based in India, shares the inner working of a design and manufacturing agency.
What is a critical path in fashion? It is a continuously reviewed system, which is used to track the progress of fashion projects and production deliveries. A production plan that contains a list of all of the necessary activities that are required to be done within a particular time frame.
Wanting to launch your own fashion brand is on the wish list of many fashionistas. While many dream about it, only a few get to see their idea realised on paper. The fashion design process takes time and what may have seemed like a simple idea at the start turns into Pandora’s box.
At the start of every new season, fashion designers sift through their research and distil the essence of it into what is commonly referred to as “fashion moodboard”. A visual diary of details and inspirations that will later serve as a guideline and constant source of further inspiration while finalising the new collection.
Ever thought of starting a fashion label? Many do – every day and as soon as they think about it, their heads get inundated with questions… Questions about the design process in general like… Do ideas come from inspiration or from materials? What is the best way to go about designing a collection?
Once you make the decision to go into fashion wholesale with your products, to shops, you will need to ensure that you have all of the necessary supporting materials. These include sales items and selling information packs.
Ever wondered how top fashion designers manage to create multiple collections per year? Season after season, year after year, seemingly never running out of ideas. Fashion inspiration is behind it all.
Whether you are new to the industry or seasoned professional, embarking on product fashion sampling is one of the most exciting and satisfying parts of the design process.
Creating pattern for garments is exciting, but the art of pattern grading is a skill not many posses. Yet the mass market relies on it for scale.
Starting your own brand can be the most exciting thing in the world. Designing your dream line and the prestige of selling your collections in renowned stores are surely very enticing. However, the reality of setting up shop will be something entirely different to your initial perceived idea. Read up and find out what is vitally important to know before you start.
A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul. Always wanted to write, start your own business, or paint? What is stopping you?
Fashion archives allow new designers to delve into a past that was very different to the present. It can be used in order to gain some insight into the brands DNA.
Atlas Shrugged is a black and white story of characters that are destroying themselves for reasons that will baffle you. It is not a story for the faint-hearted.
Pinterest is a social media platform of choice for brands, due to the ability to curate visual content and drive traffic to the brands’ commercial channels.
In the 1940s the Toyota Motor Company pioneered a type of manufacturing called “Just-In-Time.” Its objective was to eliminate waste, inconsistencies, and unreasonable requirements from the production process, thus resulting in improved productivity. Simply put, it meant making only what was needed, when it was needed, and in the amount needed.
Finding the right pattern cutter for your needs can be a daunting experience. Often people in the industry say that good pattern cutters are like gold dust. Knowing how to find the right one can be hard or easy if you know how to look for one. Read on to learn what to look out for.
Asking fashion factories key questions before working with them will save a lot of time, money and heartache. Learning how to identify the best from the rest will be the single most important skill you need to develop.
The mysterious person who liaises with designers, adapts designs to suit production methods, sources fabrics, and accessories, undertakes quality evaluations of materials and responds to product queries, including complaints, from wholesalers and customers is the Garment Tech.
As a designer in the fashion industry, it’s a necessity to deal with factories and manufacturers. Knowing the difference between Specification sheet and Spec pack (often referred to as Tech Pack) and using them to your advantage can make or break your business.
Did you know that it takes 10,000 litres of water to make one pair of jeans! But please don’t let that put you off working with denim. It’s one of the most distinctive, hardwearing and versatile fabrics available for use in the fashion industry.
Ask any successful entrepreneur what book has helped and influenced them most, and chances are most will mention this perennial favourite. Dale Carnegie’s best seller, written in 1937 is timeless and as relevant as ever before, even in today’s competitive world.
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is widely sued in the Fashion industry and was created to allow designers of any discipline to ‘colour match’ specific colours when a design enters production stage—regardless of the equipment used to produce the colour.
For all the energy you spend designing and creating, it’s a shame if a photograph fails to capture your effort when you put your pieces out into the world. This crash course in Fashion photography will definitely help you master the art, beautifully.
Finding the right fashion manufacturer for your idea is not an easy task at the best of times. In fact, entering the world of manufacturing can be a heady mix of initial excitement followed by angst, unnecessary expense, and frustration.
The fashion industry is a highly visual marketplace. Most designers communicate design ideas through drawing, toiling, and sampling.
Quality control in the fashion manufacturing industry is incredibly important. Failing to maintain certain standards can lead to all sorts of problems, especially for a
Fashion manufacturing locally is not a new concept. It has been done by brands large and small for as long as manufacturing has existed. But with advances in technology that helped make the world more reachable, many have tried their fortunes far afield hoping to improve prices, leadtimes or quality.
When you run a business, you cannot afford to chase “perfection”. Commercial thinking must be exercised, deadlines respected and the business needs put first.
India based Meenal Malhotra caught the fashion bug post her MBA stint in Finance and Marketing. After gaining some insights into the fashion industry whilst working with Masaba, the well-known fashion designer from India, she decided to set up a factory of her own – R and M Enterprises.
Embarking on garment sample making is one of the most exciting and satisfying parts of the design process. Bringing your ideas to life in the form of a tangible product is the icing on the cake after months of designing, fabric sourcing and pattern cutting.
People buy most products, especially luxury goods because of branding. This one, short, two-syllable word is vital for successful fashion businesses.
While in the past one may have had an idea and not done much about it, today – we have an idea and we know we have infinite possibilities to make it happen.
Launching a website is no longer a choice for a business. Regardless of the size, industry and location – not having a website is like not having a name. So what can you do on a budget? A lot more than you might think is the answer.
The Freelance Fashion Designer’s Handbook is your essential guide on how to work for yourself and take control of your career.
Registered trade mark protection gives the registered proprietor the exclusive right to use the brand.
Pre-Suasion an essential tool for anyone serious about science-based business strategies.
If in architecture you cannot build a good building without a blueprint, in the fashion you cannot create a product without a Specification sheet. Let’s learn all about Fashion Spec Sheet in this article.
Simon Sinek is leading a movement to build a world in which the vast majority of us are inspired by the work we do.
Every successful fashion brand has a hidden pattern cutter in the background. Read why it is so important to have one and the types of pattern cutting available to designers today.
No matter how amazing your fashion product design may be, without a Tech Pack, and with no experience or knowledge of the industry, most factories will not take you seriously, deal with you or if they do, you will face countless problems. And yet so few fashion entrepreneurs know about it or know how to put one together.
Fashion business mistakes are easy to make and hard to correct. Seemingly small, they can fast lead to the death of your business in a matter of months or less. We look at what they are and how to avoid them.
Many emerging designers are making the decision to crowdfund their projects – a great post-recession fundraiser – to create a product that they love and know their target consumers will also love, and buy.
For any entrepreneur, time is of short supply and of great demand. So here are 6 simple productivity hacks that may help a little manage your time better.
Crowdfunding has become one of the key ways in which small businesses can raise essentials funds to either start up or launch a new area of business or project. While you may not raise as much as money as you would by using an investor, crowdfunding means not parting with any equity.
Finding a good manufacturer is not as tricky as many believe it to be. Like with any first business meeting, you need to go prepared and armed with clear information about who you are, what your business is about, where you want to go, and what you need out of this meeting.
Having a mentor is one of the things in life that those that most need it – either don’t know about it or don’t know how to find one; and those that we would consider as least needing one i.e. they are already successful – almost without fail currently have or have had one in the past, because they know and understand the value a good advisor brings.
Once upon a time, not that long ago, the word “logo” was synonymous to “brand”. Fast forward a couple of decades and today a “logo” is merely a shadow of a “brand”, but nowhere near what a “brand” is. Yet – not many people seem to make the distinction and realise this. Especially start ups.
Sourcing tradeshows are almost a right of passage in the fashion industry and they can be a great place to start if you are looking for suppliers.
Launching and running a product based fashion brand more often than not revolves around the creation of collections. The quality of these collections and the consistency of that quality and presentation, is often what sets successful brands from the rest.
As a fashion business owner, there are more than just deals and a workspace to secure at the end of your working day. You also need to make sure that you are cyber-secure, Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans shares his advice on how to do so.
Being in the fashion industry means that you have to schmooze (read: network as a professional) at events. But being a fashion business owner means that you have to effectively network with a range of people, at a number of different events.
If you have decided that finding an investor for your fashion business is the best option for you, here is some advice on how to prepare yourself to find the right one; whether you’re looking for a venture capitalist, an angel investor, a super-angel or a growth investor.
If you are considering crowdfunding to launch your fashion product, there are a number of legal issues that should be considered before trying to raise money through a crowdfunding platform. Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans shares his advice to keep you ahead of the game (most of the points are relevant to Equity Crowdfunding).
Working with bloggers has become a mainstream modus operandi for anyone looking to gain media exposure for their brand. Here are some tips and tricks.
Have you thought about running a pop-up shop to sell your products? If you are, there are many points to consider to ensure that your brand’s message is translated to your target audience.
Many fashion start-ups seek out investors in order to grow their businesses, but there is a lot that you need to know about investment. Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans has the key information that you need to know.
It is no secret that the fashion industry is predominantly a product-based industry. Success is often underpinned by great design, strong product and well-structured collections. Learn how to translate your ideas correctly into the products that you want.
Being a fashion start-up business owner means that you need to wear a lot of hats, and one of the most challenging to make fit, is the legal hat. So this week, Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans explains what issues need to be addressed regarding employment contracts.
Rarely does a new business start with enough money to last until a profit is turned. It might happen in the movies, but what happens in real life – more often than not – is that you start spending some or all of the capital you have raised.
Here are some tips on how to work with a manufacturing supplier.
How frustrating is it when you contact factories or suppliers and get no response? Here are the Do’s and Don’ts of communicating with factories so that you get better results.
In his last article, Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans explained what anti-competitive arrangements mean for you. This week he explains vertical agreements and how fashion businesses can be affected by them.
ACID, the organisation concerned with helping designers and manufacturers to protect their intellectual property, explain what to do to prevent someone ripping off your design and more.
Financing a fashion business is essential for success. Some businesses don’t require large capital at the start. Sadly for most fashion businesses. Learn how to fund your fashion start up.
Financing a business can come in many forms, but regardless of how you raise cash, more often than not you will be dealing with equity or debt. So, let’s explain what they are, and how they can work for or against us.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority announced that it had opened an investigation into suspected ‘anti-competitive arrangements’ in the UK clothing, footwear and fashion sectors. Tahir Basheer, an Industry member specialising in fashion and media law for leading London-based law firm Sheridans, explains what that means for you.
Well done! You’re about to launch your fashion business, there is so much you need to focus on and your mind is busy with endless to-do lists. We’ve compiled the key things that you need to bear in mind to give you clarity, and act efficiently and effectively.
Fashion product pricing is essential, yet tricky to get right. To make your fashion business work, one of the key things you must do is make a profit. Learn what is required in order to get the price right outright.
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Tahir Basheer of law firm Sheridans uses an example of a trademark infringement case to explain why brand owners should have a brand enforcement strategy in place.
A well-written and curated press release is a sure way to get into the inboxes of key fashion editors. If executed well, it may secure you much desired editorial coverage and publicity.
In his previous article How to Franchise from a Legal Perspective, Tahir Basheer discussed franchising, specifically from the franchisor’s perspective – i.e. the brand owner. But what about guidelines for the franchisee?
This is Diane von Furstenberg’s personal memoir and it is raw. It may seem like an explanation of who she is, why she works hard and the pride she takes in her profession. But, it goes deeper than that.
A franchise is a major decision for a business to make, here Tahir Basheer outlines the main advantages and disadvantages of a franchise business model from the perspective of the brand owner (i.e the franchisor).
Imagine this – you have a great idea, you want to start your own business and everyone you tell is supportive and encouraging, and then they tell you firmly in a non-negotiable tone of voice, “You MUST write a business plan!”
Tahir Basheer explains the additional importance of care labels to fashion brands.
Legal advice is the one thing that every fashion brand needs but not everyone can afford or makes time for – particularly for young designers and fashion start-up brands. Utelier aims to make sure that fashion professionals are as informed as possible.
Tahir Basheer from law firm, Sheridans, offers his advice on considerations to be made before working with an advertising agency.
One of the challenges most often faced and talked about in fashion is the delicate matter of finding a manufacturer – the right manufacturer for you and your brand.
Tahir Basheer – an Industry member specialising in fashion and media law for leading London-based law firm, Sheridans – offers expert legal advice on using agents to sell your products for you.
Following on from last week’s Building A Website – The Legal Steps, Part 1, where Tahir Basheer offered advice on finding a domain name, your website content and data, this week he concludes the two part-series.
If you’re considering making an eyewear line, eyewear designer Sandra Battistel shares her wealth of advice and experience with these top tips.
If you’re setting up a brand to sell online for the first time, or expanding your website to target different customers, there are a number of legal issues you need to consider.
Making the decision to start your own business is the first of MANY that you will have to make during its lifetime. The decisions that you make in the early stages are of the utmost importance, so take time and professional advice where necessary and make the right choices.
Let’s find out what kind of legal issues follow any or all fashion collaboration.
Brand logos will be gracing the silhouettes of bloggers and many other FROW members this weekend at the London Fashion Week shows – and lusted after by many other fashionistas in attendance.
There is a lot more to branding than simply a product being recognisable to others, as Tahir Basheer – an Industry member specialising in fashion and media law for leading London-based law firm, Sheridans – explains.
We were fortunate enough to engage with the motivational force that is Rose Spinelli, a crowdfunding consultant based in America. She has been named among the ‘Top 100 Thought Leaders in Crowdfunding Today’.
For a long time, counterfeiting had been considered a necessary evil, especially in the luxury and fashion spheres, but its exponential surge has become such a threat that various business stakeholders are now reacting faster and meaner to contain this epidemic.
Working in fashion is often not for the faint hearted. But starting your own business, your own brand – as some would say – that’s a different ball game.
The Glitter Plan is a great book and a must read for anyone thinking of starting their own fashion label.
Over the coming months, in addition to our regular interviews with our network of designers and manufacturers, and industry news scoops, Insider will introduce a regular series of articles on how to set up your own new fashion business.
Take the root of the word more literally and create a movement to resolve your business. There is hope and it is not too late, so, recalibrate and let’s recalculate your 2015 journey.
The fashion industry is multi-national, multi-cultural and multilingual, with the latter approached in a technical manner and interpretation often ignored.
Ever wondered if you can be a good ‘boss’ without being mean and hated? Do you fall asleep at the thought of a business book? Love food and a good ‘How I Made It’ story? If your answers are yes, yes and yes – you are in luck, there is a book that ticks all three boxes.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the world of fashion has never before been as competitive as it is today. To start with an idea is easy in comparison to turning that acorn of an idea into a successful business. There are many prerequisites in the recipe for success but one of the main ingredients is PR. Here are our top tips on how to market your brand.
There are many prerequisites in the recipe for success but one of the main ingredients is PR. While the world of press has also evolved and changed, few things however still remain relevant and necessary to do, in order to garner attention. Here is our top tips
We see it every day, on the commute to work or at a business event; people are almost never willing to speak to one another. When did networking become a chore or a scary situation?
With the help of our expert from Sheridans Media lawyers we bring you the top 10 tips of how to protect your brand.
In fashion we are often surrounded by myths and hear-say information. We spoke to lawyers from Sheridans Employment Group to demistify some of these myths and more…
Over the last couple of decades, as the online shopping has steadily increased at a fast and furious pace, countless boutiques closed their doors and larger department stores sales suffered – many wonder what is the future of fashion wholesale?
Now, more than ever, we should be thinking about sustainable fashion. But what is sustainable fashion? And is fashion sustainable?
Approaching fashion factories for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience, especially if you’re new to the fashion business
With Brexit looming over us and the louder voiced opinions and encouragements to keep as much as possible “Made in Britain”, we look at what that means.
Making a choice between fast fashion vs slow fashion may seem like an obvious choice, yet it is not an easy choice for many to make. One has moral implications while the other is more practical and economical. So what is it to be?
The editor of U Magazine attended a talk at last week’s International Jewellery London show, on the ways in which fashion brands and designers could work effectively with the trade press.
The landscape of fashion has become increasingly democratized, and the formula of offering limited edition pieces designed in collaboration with another brand or person has proven to be extraordinarily lucrative.
Team Fashion Insiders swaps continents and goes to India for a week packed with exploring a new market, forging new contacts, connections and absorbing new experiences and lessons.
Fashion industry professionals including small business owners, students and representatives from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) were among the crowd at the sell-out event in Manchester yesterday evening (Wednesday 29 July)
Years ago, the seasonal selling formula for a designer was pretty simple and straight forward. Fast forward to 2017 and this no longer is the case.
Utelier’s visit to a NW London factory specialising in high end (ready to wear) ladieswear soft separates garment pattern development, grading, sampling and small run production.
BeTangible is a leathergoods and sample-making manufacturer, based in Ubrique, Spain, co-founded by ex-colleagues Pepe Montiel and Manuel Millan. They met during their careers at a larger fashion manufacturer, and both had grown tired of certain practices.
Amanda Overs, 29, is the founder of the innovative fashion business, I Can Make Shoes. Over the past five years, people from any background have been able to join a class to make a pair of shoes from scratch that they can keep.
Joanne Edwards was working as a designer when she felt the strong need to get back to making things with her hands. This led her to found her brand Joanne Edwards Millinery.
There are so many things that you prepare yourself for when launching your fashion business, but no matter how ‘ready’ you are, receiving a letter that could threaten your business, and an intellectual property (IP) battle with a big brand would shock anyone. So what happens when a fashion start-up is told that the unique name created for their brand, is an infringement on a big brand’s trademark? It happened to Michaela Anderson last year, and she shared her journey with us to inform others.
Anti Copying In Design (ACID) is a trade organisation set up by designers for designers & manufacturers, to help them protect their intellectual property.
Imagine making one of your products: designing it, sourcing materials, manufacturing it and then putting it through vigorous quality control measures, and then giving it to someone for free.
It’s important to remember on this Fashion Revolution Day and two-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster that unethical treatment of factory workers lives on, and not just in Asian countries.
Hannah Stewart, a Product Account Manager at a London-based fashion company woke up at 5.30am recently, to travel two and a half hours from her London home to Northampton. She was attending the BLC Leather Technology Centre’s ‘Understanding Leather Course’, led by Barry Wood – a leather technician who has worked in the fashion industry for over 25 years.
Natasha Hulse is the owner of Natasha LG Hulse Design and a graduate of Chelsea College of Art and Design. She specialises in print design, and her womenswear collections feature bold colours and flowing, yet well-structured garments.
Nestled in south-east London, in an arch underneath rail tracks, is the creative home of Insley & Nash. Inside, the fashion duo specialise in printing techniques that many printers will not even consider undertaking.
One of the most respected welted shoemakers John Lobb, has been producing shoes since the mid-19th Century. Now, this Northampton-based £25m business is set to grow.
Lace has long been a treasured decorative element for fashion, interiors and hosiery. Yet when we talk about lace and the manufacture and making of it, we don’t usually think of lace and British manufacture in the same sentence. But surprisingly, we should! MYB Textiles based in Scotland is a lace manufacturer success story worth sharing and we find out exactly why from Wendy Murray from MYB Textiles.
As anyone who knows or follows the luxury goods industry will tell you – there are luxury goods companies and then – there is Hermes. The family owned leather goods maker is a true champion of “the art of craft”. They continuously find new ways to educate and showcase what true craftsmanship means be it through pop up exhibitions, store demonstrations or videos. The latest new initiative paying respect to the true unsung heros behind the brand are a series of videos simple titled “No Comment”.
Pop-up shops are taking over the retail world but what exactly is a shop that pops up? Pop-up shops are temporary stores at a designated venue, the purpose of which is to attract the consumer with something exclusive and exciting. Layla Webster delves to find out more.