The business of fashion

Have you ever wondered how you can turn what you think of as your hobby into a cash cow? 

If you answered no, I want to know why not! If I had even half the talent you have I’d be milking it for all it’s worth!

My insatiable curiousity led me to try and find out how it can be done.

Firstly, identify what kind of designer you want to be (I hear you going “huh?”). Do you want to be a sketcher, pattern maker, cutter, textile designer, technical designer or (probably most commonly) a creative designer?

Secondly, are you looking to work for yourself or for someone else?

Ask yourself very seriously – do you really want to run a business? Do you want to be involved in the production, packaging, marketing and distribution of your garments? Are you willing to deal with human resource issues, legal issues, finance, marketing and sales issues but to name a few?

The reality of being your own boss is that you’re the boss first and a designer second. There are a myriad of business details that you’ll need to get your head around – sourcing your raw materials, finding reliable workmen, creating a clear design methodology, marketing to the correct clientele at a price point and in a manner that is affordable.

Then, of course, there’s the age old issue of sourcing the right funds at the right price to actually get your venture off the ground.

If you haven’t blanked out already by this point then you’re a pretty good contender (or delusional, or possibly just didn’t read the preceding paragraphs!).

So next question (more like a couple of questions, actually) – what do you want to design, who do you want to design for and why?

If I were a designer I’d make fabulous Afrochic maternity clothes for working mummies-to-be because I’ve yet to see anything like that out there(no, it’s not relevant, I’m jussayin!). 

Point is, you need to have a unique product to sell if you want to stand out.

If you are still reading at this point, either my writing’s gotten better with time or you REALLY want to do this in which case, you need to start working on a business plan.

This wasn’t meant to be an exhaustive article or discourage you from following your dreams but merely pointing out a couple of important things that tend to go unnoticed when we get on a “I want to.....” high.

Good luck!