5 answers
Kyle
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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How would you start a clothing line ?
I want to create and own my own clothing line.
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5 answers
Scott M
Entrepreneur | Senior Sales Executive
38
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Scott’s Answer
First, I would define my brand. I'd think about the values, aesthetics, and mission statement that I want my brand to represent.
Next, I'd conduct market research to understand the demand for my clothing line. This would help me determine my target audience, their needs and preferences, and the competition in my niche.
Once I have a good understanding of my brand and the market, I would create a business plan. This would outline my goals, budget, marketing strategy, and operational details. It would also help me secure funding from investors or lenders.
With a budget in mind, I would design my clothing line. I'd sketch out my designs, create mood boards, and source fabrics and materials for my clothing line.
After designing my clothing line, I'd create a prototype to test the fit, quality, and design.
Once I have a good prototype, I would find a manufacturer that can produce my clothing designs in large quantities.
Building my brand is the next step. I'd develop my brand identity, including my logo, website, social media presence, and marketing strategy.
Finally, I'd launch my clothing line and start selling my products. Starting a clothing line requires patience, perseverance, and hard work.
It's important to take your time and make informed decisions along the way.
Good luck!
Next, I'd conduct market research to understand the demand for my clothing line. This would help me determine my target audience, their needs and preferences, and the competition in my niche.
Once I have a good understanding of my brand and the market, I would create a business plan. This would outline my goals, budget, marketing strategy, and operational details. It would also help me secure funding from investors or lenders.
With a budget in mind, I would design my clothing line. I'd sketch out my designs, create mood boards, and source fabrics and materials for my clothing line.
After designing my clothing line, I'd create a prototype to test the fit, quality, and design.
Once I have a good prototype, I would find a manufacturer that can produce my clothing designs in large quantities.
Building my brand is the next step. I'd develop my brand identity, including my logo, website, social media presence, and marketing strategy.
Finally, I'd launch my clothing line and start selling my products. Starting a clothing line requires patience, perseverance, and hard work.
It's important to take your time and make informed decisions along the way.
Good luck!
Scott Snyder
eCommerce Lead, Online Marketing at AT&T
9
Answers
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Get a logo designed on Fiver — shd only cost you $10-30.
Then go to Shopify and set up a website, and then use one of their print vendors who drop ship. (So don’t buy lots of product, just use drop shipping so you don’t spend money on inventory)
Start small with a few products — not too many…
And then advertise on Social media and Google
Good luck
Then go to Shopify and set up a website, and then use one of their print vendors who drop ship. (So don’t buy lots of product, just use drop shipping so you don’t spend money on inventory)
Start small with a few products — not too many…
And then advertise on Social media and Google
Good luck
Thank you so much for the advice.
Karem
Hannah Horne
Management
2
Answers
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hi Kyle! Nice to meet you!
I would begin by doing a simple business model canvas-- there are lots of templates on the internet-- just google it. This will ask you about your product, who your customers would likely be, how you would find those customers (channels), and some cost/revenues that it would take to run your business. This 1-pager is a mini-business plan that gets that idea onto paper so you can continue to work on the areas with a mentor or teacher that can help you.
I run a center for Entrepreneurship in Rock Hill called the Gravity Center. Happy to connect you with a mentor or teacher if you don't already have one. There is also an upcoming STEM camp for high schoolers that you should be a part of, too!!! There's lot of technology in fashion and business-- so let me know if you want more info!
Hannah
I would begin by doing a simple business model canvas-- there are lots of templates on the internet-- just google it. This will ask you about your product, who your customers would likely be, how you would find those customers (channels), and some cost/revenues that it would take to run your business. This 1-pager is a mini-business plan that gets that idea onto paper so you can continue to work on the areas with a mentor or teacher that can help you.
I run a center for Entrepreneurship in Rock Hill called the Gravity Center. Happy to connect you with a mentor or teacher if you don't already have one. There is also an upcoming STEM camp for high schoolers that you should be a part of, too!!! There's lot of technology in fashion and business-- so let me know if you want more info!
Hannah
Jonathan Brill
Head of Global Writer Relations at Quora
6
Answers
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Every time I've heard about an entrepreneur who started a clothing line it started with them personally making some clothes. Daymond John at Fubu was selling homemade beanies on the corner in his neighborhood. Chip Wilson at Lululemon was selling homemade board shorts out of his own little shop in Calgary. Sara Blakely at Spanx mushed together a bunch of fabric to take to retailers for an early prototype. They all started by making clothes.
Cloth and stitching and material is very cheap. People have to buy new clothes all the time, and clothing trends and needs are changing constantly. It is always a great time for someone entrepreneurial to start a new clothing line. It's also one of the cheaper kinds of businesses to start to see if your idea and products can find an unmet need in the market.
Cloth and stitching and material is very cheap. People have to buy new clothes all the time, and clothing trends and needs are changing constantly. It is always a great time for someone entrepreneurial to start a new clothing line. It's also one of the cheaper kinds of businesses to start to see if your idea and products can find an unmet need in the market.
Yvonne Chen
81
Answers
Updated
Yvonne’s Answer
Starting your own clothing line can be an exciting venture. Here are the basic steps to help you get started:
1. **Define Your Niche and Brand Identity**:
- Determine the specific niche or style you want your clothing line to represent. What will make your brand unique in the market?
2. **Market Research**:
- Research your target audience and competitors. Understand their preferences, needs, and purchasing behavior.
3. **Create a Business Plan**:
- Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your brand concept, budget, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
4. **Legal Requirements**:
- Register your business, choose a legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC), and obtain any necessary permits or licenses.
5. **Design Your Clothing**:
- Create your clothing designs. You can either design them yourself or collaborate with fashion designers.
6. **Source Materials and Suppliers**:
- Find reliable suppliers for fabrics, materials, and manufacturing. Consider factors like quality, cost, and ethical practices.
7. **Production and Manufacturing**:
- Decide whether you'll manufacture your clothing in-house, outsource to a local factory, or use overseas production. Ensure quality control and consistency.
8. **Create a Prototype or Sample**:
- Before mass production, create prototypes or samples to test your designs and make necessary adjustments.
9. **Branding and Labeling**:
- Design your brand logo and create clothing labels and tags that represent your brand identity.
10. **Pricing and Costing**:
- Determine the pricing strategy for your clothing line. Consider factors like production costs, market demand, and profit margins.
11. **Sales and Distribution**:
- Decide how you'll sell your clothing. Options include opening a physical store, selling online, or using a combination of both.
12. **Marketing and Promotion**:
- Develop a marketing plan to promote your clothing line. Utilize social media, influencer marketing, and other advertising channels.
13. **E-commerce Platform**:
- If selling online, set up an e-commerce website or use established platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy.
14. **Inventory Management**:
- Implement an inventory management system to keep track of stock levels and ensure efficient order fulfillment.
15. **Launch Your Brand**:
- Organize a launch event or online campaign to introduce your clothing line to the market.
16. **Customer Service**:
- Provide excellent customer service to build brand loyalty and address customer inquiries and concerns.
17. **Feedback and Adaptation**:
- Continuously gather feedback from customers and adapt your clothing line and marketing strategies accordingly.
18. **Scaling and Growth**:
- As your brand grows, consider expanding your product line, exploring new markets, or opening additional retail locations if feasible.
Starting a clothing line requires dedication, creativity, and hard work. Be prepared for challenges along the way, but with determination and a strong brand identity, you can build a successful clothing brand.
1. **Define Your Niche and Brand Identity**:
- Determine the specific niche or style you want your clothing line to represent. What will make your brand unique in the market?
2. **Market Research**:
- Research your target audience and competitors. Understand their preferences, needs, and purchasing behavior.
3. **Create a Business Plan**:
- Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your brand concept, budget, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
4. **Legal Requirements**:
- Register your business, choose a legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC), and obtain any necessary permits or licenses.
5. **Design Your Clothing**:
- Create your clothing designs. You can either design them yourself or collaborate with fashion designers.
6. **Source Materials and Suppliers**:
- Find reliable suppliers for fabrics, materials, and manufacturing. Consider factors like quality, cost, and ethical practices.
7. **Production and Manufacturing**:
- Decide whether you'll manufacture your clothing in-house, outsource to a local factory, or use overseas production. Ensure quality control and consistency.
8. **Create a Prototype or Sample**:
- Before mass production, create prototypes or samples to test your designs and make necessary adjustments.
9. **Branding and Labeling**:
- Design your brand logo and create clothing labels and tags that represent your brand identity.
10. **Pricing and Costing**:
- Determine the pricing strategy for your clothing line. Consider factors like production costs, market demand, and profit margins.
11. **Sales and Distribution**:
- Decide how you'll sell your clothing. Options include opening a physical store, selling online, or using a combination of both.
12. **Marketing and Promotion**:
- Develop a marketing plan to promote your clothing line. Utilize social media, influencer marketing, and other advertising channels.
13. **E-commerce Platform**:
- If selling online, set up an e-commerce website or use established platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy.
14. **Inventory Management**:
- Implement an inventory management system to keep track of stock levels and ensure efficient order fulfillment.
15. **Launch Your Brand**:
- Organize a launch event or online campaign to introduce your clothing line to the market.
16. **Customer Service**:
- Provide excellent customer service to build brand loyalty and address customer inquiries and concerns.
17. **Feedback and Adaptation**:
- Continuously gather feedback from customers and adapt your clothing line and marketing strategies accordingly.
18. **Scaling and Growth**:
- As your brand grows, consider expanding your product line, exploring new markets, or opening additional retail locations if feasible.
Starting a clothing line requires dedication, creativity, and hard work. Be prepared for challenges along the way, but with determination and a strong brand identity, you can build a successful clothing brand.