lifestyle

How to Start a Clothing Line

Chapter One

So you have a great idea to start a clothing line but have no clue about the fashion industry. Maybe you wanna be the next Guy Harvey fishing t-shirt brand or the next Betsey Johnson. Maybe you think you've got what it takes to create the next Volcom or Wrangler Jeans. Whatever your great clothing label idea is, I'm going to tell you what you need to know to get it in motion.

Any label will require these things to get a brand off the ground.

1. A good concept and brand direction. Whether its a tennis line or inspired by high fashion, you have to have a brand concept, name, and logo that appeals to your chosen demographic. This can make or break your label and is the first step to properly brand your products. Keep in mind that your idea won't likely appeal to everyone so choose a niche and direct your efforts toward appealing to that group.

2. Legal Necessities. If you want to conduct a real clothing business your going to need to get your brand Incorporated. This will ensure that you aren't personally held responsible for any number of problems you can run into in the world of business. In addition you will want to have your logos trademarked to ensure that your name and icons aren't stolen. This happens in the clothing business all the time. Finally you will need to file for a seller's permit so that you can purchase goods from vendors at a manufacturers discount and tax free pricing rate to re-sell them later.

3. Marketing and Promotion. Behind every successful clothing line there is an effective marketing campaign to promote the product. Marketing is key to gaining customer recognition and can be a very effective way to ensure your goods sell. Whether its print, web, or any other media and advertising form, you must have a clever ad campaign with appeal to your chosen demographic. In addition this campaign must be timed to coincide with product release to ensure success. With marketing timing is everything.

4. Good Products, Fits and Designs. Think about the brands and labels that inspire your brand concepts and the things that you like or dislike about them. The most common attractions are product durability, fit, and design. You're only as good as these respects unless you have a mighty powerful marketing campaign, and even then the customer may find fault in your product after the first purchase and kill the chance for repeat business.

With all of these elements aligned you should be able to get your label off the ground. The clothing industry is a saturated world and anyone interested in stepping to the plate must have an outstanding concept to ensure success and longevity. Over the next weeks I will be breaking down chapters on marketing, manufacturing, and many of the other encounters you will experience on the road to creating a clothing company. Stay tuned...