{"id":2263,"date":"2018-07-10T00:21:28","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T23:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?p=2263"},"modified":"2019-08-07T08:26:22","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T07:26:22","slug":"how-to-make-a-handbag-when-your-background-isnt-in-fashion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/features\/opinion\/how-to-make-a-handbag-when-your-background-isnt-in-fashion\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Handbag When Your Background Isn’t in Fashion"},"content":{"rendered":"
Welcome to the world of entrepreneur-ism where the streets are sometimes paved with gold for the lucky few who make it to the finishing line. There is no magic formula for success in business but on a positive note, you can help yourself by having a clear vision and defining your perfect customer<\/a>.<\/p>\n On a less positive note, the reality of running a fashion business which includes late nights, stress, chasing the fashion editor carrot with no pay for the first couple of years, is not for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n The actual designing is secondary to your ability to manage your business which includes the people, processes and finances. There is a vast amount of responsibility and relentless business decisions to greet you every day. Before you reach the stage of courting the press and actually running the business, there is the more urgent issue of actually getting your items made.<\/p>\n It\u2019s fair to assume that you have already worked out that your idea is unique with nothing else like it on the market, so that\u2019s one box ticked. I\u2019d also like to hazard a guess that you have your revenue source in place as you will require plenty of money.<\/p>\n You will save yourself some, however, by reading the following information on how to make a handbag.<\/p>\n While your background is not in fashion, it may be in PR or even business and these are great attributes to bring to the table.<\/p>\n Understanding where your product, handbag, in this case, fits into the marketplace is one of the more important things to get to grips with. This is based on a number of things such as the market level you\u2019re aiming at. This could be the high, the middle or the luxury sector. This choice will determine the price points of your handbag.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t decide then base the decision on the design of the handbag. If it has the basics plus bells and whistles find items that are similar and go out into the world and see what your potential competitors are selling their items for.<\/p>\n Define who your customer is and discover where and how they shop.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is the key to saving yourself a lot of time, energy and money.<\/p>\n However, sourcing the right factory to make a handbag is not that easy as the industry is pretty secretive and closed. I serendipitously discovered a secret source while looking at the Everlane website. This totally transparent company, based in the United States mention the factories, or at least the factory locations<\/strong>, on their website.<\/p>\n Further research led me to discover an area in Spain, Ubrique, that specializes in specific items that my client was aiming to produce. I was then able to appoint a factory in the area.<\/p>\n The factories in Ubrique produce leather goods and are able to source everything that the client could possibly need. Leathers, exotics, sheepskin, fur and snake are all available. They deal with all of the mills, zip manufacturers and lining suppliers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you have appointed a factory, my suggestion would be to find a local sample maker to produce your first patterns, mock-up (maquette) and samples to make a handbag. This will ensure that they set the mark for the quality of your product for the factory to follow.<\/p>\nResearch, research, research<\/h3>\n
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Source a factory first<\/h3>\n
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Worth Reading: What to Look for in a Manufacturing Partner<\/a><\/h5>\n
Find a sample maker<\/h3>\n