The ink’s not quite dry on your fashion design sketch, so you’re itching to get it manufactured. Pipe dream? Maybe. Hard slog? You betcha.

Watch your project zap all your spare time, cash and happiness?…

No, it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’m Megan Dive. I help fashion designers realise their dream! I get their garments on the rack and out into the real [aka retail] world. I’ve got the process down pat and will pace you through it. Actually, it’s not that hard … if you know how.

Here’s my 10 tips to consider before you start your own fashion label.

1. What’s the market gap you’re filling?

Don’t have a clear idea about a product or gap in the market you want to fill? Ouch. That’s square one. Your fashion manufacturer will need a few clues about what you want.

Some people have this extremely clear vision of an extremely niche market, this is ideal! But if not, thats still ok!! Even if its just a range of clothing that you personally love, and everyone like you will want, thats ok. It helps to have a fair idea of your own taste, collect photos and sketches and garments that have similar characteristics of your vision, that way we can physicially see what your style is (the more pics the better, especially for those who aren’t qualified fashion designers)

I don’t mean to be narky, but the process gets a tad frustrating when my team and I hear “I want it like this [shows us an old T-shirt], but, you know, flattering”. Erh, we need information such as “I want it like this, but 2cm smaller around the waist and take 1cm off the sleeves”. That we can work with. By the way, when you say ‘flattering’, ‘sexy’ or ‘nicer’, each person has a different idea of what that means. Horses for courses.

2. The door’s open for design novices, too

You might be a design novice. We’re ok with that, but miracle workers we’re not. Fashion design can be a tough profession with many of us operators notching university degrees and years out there getting our hands savvy with scissors, sewing machines, samples and more.

So when you come to us with a self-supporting, strapless, backless one-piece bathing suit you drew in a cute non-stretch cotton because you liked the print, we’ll be honest. We can’t make it. It’s actually not possible. Non-stretch cotton just won’t do the job. If you were savvy about fashion or clothing construction you’d already know this. But, hey, don’t get miffed. This is where we help you develop your taste into practical design. Takes a bit of time, shit yeah, but we’re keen to be part of that journey with you.

3. Will it cost you a motza? Probably

So, let’s talk cash. Perhaps you plan to fund your fashion venture with a lottery windfall, nibble at your life savings or drip-feed payment as it comes to hand. Any idea of what you’re up for cost wise? A cool $20,000 is the cost to produce your first range – and that’s a minimum usually. Big yay, if you can get it under that, though. But a reality check – loose change won’t pay the bill for getting your gear on the retail rack.

4. Decision time awaits

Get ready to be decisive. Nine times out of 10 it won’t matter if you have the garment 1cm shorter or longer, use thread a shade darker, or have straps in 8mm or 7.5mm. Bottom line is, it’s your call, you need to decide because you’re the designer.

5. Bits and pieces you probably forgot about

It’s the little things that count. You’d be surprised how many tiny components go into one garment. Apart from fabrics, linings and trims, you have labels. They’ll need to list the fabric composition and country of origin – that’s Aussie law. Then think about your brand label, care label, threads (at least two types), elastic, zips, buttons, swing tags and packaging. Have I fried your brain yet? They’re all decisions you’ve got to make. Each of these elements has to be … take a deep breath … sourced and sampled, most likely from several different suppliers or imported.

6. We don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day

Only kidding! But we’re talking about minimums here. Most manufacturers – including us – need a minimum amount order. At Studio Evolve, our clients are pretty happy with making a minimum order of 10 of each size in each colour. That means if you have five sizes, you multiply the cost by 50.

7. Getting the word out about your fashion

Marketing and advertising is another important cost to factor in. Don’t expect just to be able to whip up a Facebook page and post pics of your fab garments then bam-millionaire. Build it and they will come is a fallacy. Hate to sock it to you, but any profits you were expecting from your first range should be directly funnelled to a marketing budget. Photoshoots, models and influencers don’t come for free.

8. To market, to market

Markets might give you a foot in the door to sales, but there’s other ways than this hard slog. Perhaps you’ll sell online only, or aim for a swag of boutique wholesale orders (nice!). Decide early. Why? It will affect your pricing structure and whether your venture is viable. Larger quantities equal cheaper products, but need a huge amount of investment. Have a think before you start manufacturing about how you will validate your product – how many sales in how many weeks and at what price? Knuckle down to work out the figures. This will affect the way you design. You thought 5 panels would be nice down each slleeve, but each panel might bump you retail price by $15, and you’ll probably get the same look for 2-3 panels. Think less is more… Or rather, more is more $$$…

9. Buddies make it better

Build a support network because, yes, you will need it. Ask your mates and business friends to share each other’s social media posts, like each other’s photos, and importantly comment! The goal is engagement. Be active on social media, buy each other’s stuff! Hustle for one another, ask their opinion for colour ideas. You’ll want to fall in a heap every now and again and these guys are the ones who will help keep you going!

10. Enjoy the ride

IT IS SO MUCH FUN! Seriously, it is. Even after all the headaches, heartaches, backaches and face aches. This journey will give you so much satisfaction, people will LOVE your product (we hope – there’s a good chance someone will!). And when you see how happy your designs make other people, you will know it was all worth it! You won’t know until you give it a go.

Any questions or comments? I’d love to hear. How can we help you today?

Get in touch – by email studioevolve@yahoo.au

or phone 0467891133

Meg