Small Fashion Line: If you love designing and making clothes but have found that your ability to produce designs has hit a limit, it’s time to expand. At the end of the day, there’s only so much you can do, production-wise, and unless you create couture items that are one-of-a-kind, it’s time to look into expanding your production. The same applies to those who already use manufacturers but are now ready to expand their collections into new avenues.
Growing your business can be daunting, but you can help prepare for this next big step in your business by following these tips:
1. Take Small Fashion Line Growth Steps
How you grow your business will depend on where you currently are at. If you create small collections by hand, for example, it’s time to get in touch with a clothing manufacturer to upscale production. If you already have a small successful line, it’s time to add new content. For the best results, it’s a good idea to start small. This way, you can gauge interest and then accommodate demand from there.
2. Reconsider Your Production
Every time you expand, you need to have a look at your current production process. You may need to move manufacturers to a better all-in-one choice, or you may want to split up your collection. If you’re thinking of introducing an athleticwear line to your range, for example, you don’t need to find a manufacturer that’s ready to produce it all.
Instead, you can go to a US-based manufacturer like Precision Sportswear and take advantage of their small to medium-sized production abilities. You can have a one-off collection of just 150 pieces to start and then gauge interest based on sales and demand. If your line is a success, you can then produce up to 3000 pieces with one order.
3. Finding Stockists (Small Fashion Line)
Increasing production is great, and handling online sales is great, but at the end of the day, you’ll only have one website. If you’re well-organized and have savings or backing, you may even have a store of your own. Growing will require more stores to hold the designs that you currently have available.
That’s why you need stockists. Stockists are stores (online or brick-and-mortar) that will carry your designs. This boosts sales, is great for marketing, and how you can start seeing a consistent income.
You can also sell your products at markets or book a pop-up and host an event if you’re just starting out.
4. Gaining Certifications and Awards
Though it’s scary, inviting scrutiny from leading figures in fashion can be a huge boost to your brand. From applying for certifications to even submit your designs for challenges, there are many ways that you can put your name out there and learn a lot along the way. Fashion designers, pay particular attention to any resources coming out of fashion schools and organizations. These institutions, in particular, are very helpful for young and small designers.
Not only will doing this help you with your reputation, but it’s an invaluable way to challenge yourself and your designs so that they end up better than ever.