How to open your own clothing brand. How to start your own clothing line

A step-by-step plan on how to create your own clothing brand: what equipment you will need + how to set up sales of branded clothing + brand advertising + 3 methods of promotion.

If you want to do something creative, create something beautiful, or simply make money doing something interesting, it’s time to gather your strength to organize your own production.

Namely, think about how to create your own brand.

Everything around is becoming more expensive.

And in order to buy clothes, you need to take either a lot of money with you when shopping, or be prepared to buy low-quality items.

The production of branded wardrobe items will be in demand in the market.

To do this, it is not necessary to have special sewing skills; the most important thing is to have fresh and interesting ideas, perseverance and creative inspiration.

Most of the creators of modern clothing brands did not have much sewing skills.

Now it's all gone completely new level, where the main thing is to come up with something completely unique, a special brand concept.

One of the disadvantages of such undertakings is that the idea of creating your own clothing brand requires certain funds.

It is also worth considering the fact that if one person likes something, it is not a fact that everyone will like it.

Before determining the direction, style and theme of your brand, it is worth conducting a series of marketing research.

They should involve exactly those age groups and segments of the population that are the target audience.

If it is not so difficult to decide on the target audience, then how to find markets for the brand’s products will be much more difficult.

This part of the branded clothing plan needs to be worked on before mass production begins.

The main stages of organizing your clothing brand

As with any other entrepreneurial endeavor, it is worth drawing up a business plan that will fully take into account all the nuances of the idea of creating your own clothing brand.

Consist of a document for of this business maybe from the following parts:

Determining the topic and type of activity. For example, you can limit yourself to only sewing and selling hats or other accessories.
Determine the main category of brand consumers and the main methods of attracting them.
who may be interested in this project.

Full calculation of expenses for all, both capital and monthly items.

Determine the cost of the idea to create a brand from scratch.

An approximate calculation of the profit from the brand, payback and percentage that will go to possible investors.
Looking for opportunities to partner with other brands and promote yours at various events.

How to open your own clothing brand without investing a lot of money?

At the initial stage of a clothing brand’s life, few people will agree to invest money in it except the creator.

However, you can present the brand in such a way that the main costs are covered by investors' contributions.

Or attract them in the future when.

Before you think about how to open your own clothing brand , you need to decide how much money you need to launch it.

Namely, what will be the cost of creating a couple of visual samples of clothing (to further attract investors and partners to the project).

And is it possible to cover these expenses on your own, without getting involved with bank loans, collateral and debts?

There is no point in skimping on the quality of the brand’s first “collection,” since it will be the face and indicator of whether the project is worth attention or is it just another unprofitable investment.

If you think carefully and try to find those willing to help “thank you” among your friends, then you won’t spend a large amount of money on presenting a clothing brand, and perhaps not even a penny at all.

For a bright presentation of a brand with a small budget, you can call models, operators, etc.

Finding such people will not be difficult, since there are many forums with people who want to participate in such events for fun.

How to create your own brand and what to sell under it?

As mentioned above, first it is important to determine the scope and direction in which to work.

These could be outfit elements such as:

evening dresses,
everyday dresses,
women's suits,
men's suits,
t-shirts,
sweaters,
underwear, etc.

If you try to cover all areas to the maximum at once, you can lose your individuality.

The most important thing is that the young brand does not get lost among the rest, and potential buyer could distinguish things of this production from others.

This means that each item should have some kind of “zest”, thanks to which the clothes of this brand will be different from the rest and easily recognizable.

Choosing equipment to create your own clothing brand

After determining the scale of the project and attracting investments, you can begin purchasing equipment.

In essence, you will have your own sewing workshop.

A clothing brand requires sewing machines and spare parts for them (the quantity directly depends on the planned quantity of products).

And also a lot of additional furniture, such as: mannequins, various hangers, etc.

If possible, it is worth organizing a retail store - the so-called showroom - in the same building where the workshop is located.

The whole list necessary equipment can be calculated only by knowing what material will be worked with and other details of tailoring clothes for the brand.

For example, not every machine will be able to sew on knitwear, make the right stitch, thanks to which the clothes will not tear and threads will not stick out.

Or, if we are talking about genuine leather, not every mechanism can penetrate such material.

And even if sewing machine and overcomes it, then sewing will take two or even three times longer.

And if we are talking about a brand of youth casual clothing (such as T-shirts, T-shirts, sweaters), you don’t even have to complicate the production process.

Simply order from the same workshops either material for further processing (the same T-shirts for printing designs), or copies of the product, creating only an example yourself.

Finding sales channels for your brand's products

If we consider the issue of sales, then it is worth thinking about the wholesale sale of things, for example, in online stores.

Partnerships should not be written off either.

If the ideas are really interesting, then there will certainly be people who want to enter into some kind of agreement with the owner of such a brand.

Retail trade already has more risks, since it involves the costs of rent, utilities, and other responsibilities that do not tolerate the absence of customers.

Ideas for advertising your own brand

There are the following PR methods:

One of the most popular ways is to involve celebrities in advertising.

When some blogger posts laudatory notes about having recently purchased something, leaving a link to a page where you can view and order this product for yourself - this is that same advertising.

And recognition will increase significantly from this.

By photographing the same bloggers or aspiring stars for your catalogs (lookbooks), you can also significantly promote your brand.

People will repost, which will have a positive effect on brand awareness.

Possible business risks

The fact that any undertakings are at risk of remaining undertakings is a fact.

When an entrepreneur starts a business, it may not only fail to pay off, but even leave him deeply in debt.

You should always take into account that prices are rising, and this is: the cost of materials, rent of premises, wages and utilities.

The list could go on for a long time.

Therefore, it is important to determine the cost and make a markup that will bring profit, but will not scare off the buyer.

In any business there are moments that require unexpected expenses.

For example, equipment repair and so on.

It is better to save money, being able to quickly solve such problems.

What is the basis of a personal brand, you will learn from the video:

Conclusion about the profitability of the idea

To ensure that the project does not become a failure, you should follow these points:

Always monitor the quality of products, as quality products are always popular.

Take the time to come up with truly unique ideas.

Do not introduce plagiarism into the market; everyone is already tired of “replicas”.

If you practice retail trade clothes, carefully monitor the quality of service.

Nowadays it is not fashionable to impose strict service standards, but friendliness never hurts.

No one will pay attention to a company that almost no one has heard of anywhere.

Considering the question of how to create your own clothing brand and promote it, you can highlight both pros and cons.

If you organize the work properly, the chance that the enterprise will grow to large scale, very big.

But if you do everything relying only on interesting idea, you can fail in the initial stages.

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So, are you dreaming of starting your own fashion line? To be successful, you need to learn how to run a business, market your products, and keep your customers happy. Below are some basics about starting a business in the fashion industry.

Steps

Part 1

Preparation

Create a clear and concise business plan. It should be based on how you want to run your clothing line. Try to be realistic while writing. Remember, it is better to underestimate your profits and be pleasantly surprised than to overestimate your abilities and be disappointed. Please pay Special attention on the following aspects:

Write a summary of the project. It includes both a description of your company's activities and plans for the future, as well as a way to attract potential investors. This is mandatory for all types of businesses that often require third-party financing.
Description of the company. The description gives people an idea of what kind of clothing you have, how it differs from the competition, and what market segment it occupies.

Try to calculate how long you can survive without a salary. Do you want to devote your full time to a clothing line? If so, how many years are you willing to wait before your company starts generating income, thereby allowing you to earn a salary? Or do you want to make it an additional income or just a hobby? It’s good if it brings money, the main thing is moral satisfaction. Try to gauge your level of interest.
- Perhaps in the first year you will spend more money than you will earn.
Conduct market research. Who are your current and possibly future competitors? Who is your target audience? How much do you estimate you can earn from selling the collection? Ask. Get opinions. Talk to store owners and potential customers.
- It's not a bad idea if you get a part-time job at a store that sells things to your target audience. You will be able to see what the store is buying and what customers are buying.
- Find an example of the clothing you are going to produce and find out all the details of its implementation.
Paperwork. First, decide who you will belong to: individual entrepreneur, LLC or others. Find out what documents you need to obtain the right to trade. You can hire a lawyer as a consultant.

Part 2
Laying the Foundation
1. Consider whether you need subordinates. Do you need to hire someone to help you with your work? Decide what kind of workers you need, how many hours per week they need to work, and how much you can pay them.
  - If you want to sell unique items self made, then most likely you will need to do the entire sewing process yourself. If you're into mass production, you'll definitely need some help.
  - Do you want your clothes to be made locally? Do you want it to be organic? Or do you want it to be produced abroad (less cost, but also worse quality)? Depending on the answer to these questions, you will need to decide who to hire.
  - Do you want to sell it offline? If so, then you will need to hire employees.
2. Start promoting your brand. Now it's time for pleasant decisions! How you develop your brand depends on your audience, so be smart.
  
  Design a logo. Sketch out a bunch of logos and choose the one you like best. Make sure you really like the logo. People will recognize you by it, and if you change it, it will be confusing. Make sure the name is not already taken.
Part 3
Manufacture of wearing apparel
1. Design your collection according to the seasons. Most stores immediately purchase items for 2 seasons in advance. You must have time to develop and create the design and deliver it on time.
  
  Design production. Bring your designs to a seamstress, factory or printer. Usually a sample or example is created first to ensure that the garment is what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and always do everything on the record and sign an agreement where the conditions will be described in detail.
  
  Find a manufacturer. Search the Internet. Many people use factories abroad, as it can be cheaper. Please note that these factories usually handle bulk orders, so be sure to specify the minimum amount of items you order. You should also be provided with work samples. Don't forget to check delivery times.
  - Consider production conditions - consumers are much more informed about production than before.
  - If you know how to sew, you can create your own clothes. You can also take sewing courses.
Part 4
Market launch and sales
1. You can also start a blog to attract attention to your clothing and website. You can also sell your clothes on various resources and auctions. Make useful connections, word of mouth always works well! Let people talk about you!

Brand creation can be divided into 4 stages:

1) This is positioning and planning. Most beginning designers usually skip this stage, perhaps because they still have little understanding of what to plan and position. Rough and simplified, positioning comes down to walking along shopping center or browsing online stores. This is needed to understand the advantages and disadvantages of competitors, on the basis of which you can come up with your own USP. The most common option is to create clothes for young girls. You need to understand that this is one of the highly competitive segments: you will have to compete not only with similar local brands, but also with the mass market. The most inexpensive and, perhaps, simplest option to try is creating T-shirts and sweatshirts with prints. The competition here is also high, but it is easier to do and sell due to the cost of things. Planning means calculating the budget and deadlines. Yes, it’s difficult to calculate when you’re making your first collection. The main expenses are the purchase of materials and tailoring of the batch.
2) This is the creation of a product. This is the most pleasant thing and what is considered to be the work of a designer. Ideally, you need to make a mood board, then sketches, then technical drawings. In reality, people who do not have a specialized art education find real things or photos that are similar to what they want to produce, and with this they go to the designer. In the first collection and if the budget is small, it is better to make a few things: for example, 2 models of blouses, dresses and skirts, if these are women's clothing. It is important to understand that in Russia, for example, it is more profitable to make warm outerwear.

3) Production: first you need to find a designer, in cooperation with whom you can make patterns, gradations, documentation for production, if necessary, as well as an experimental sample. It is not easy to find a good designer and they are usually inundated with orders. Some factories have their own designer on staff; it is possible, but not advisable, to work with him. Direct production is preferable to a private seamstress (no industrial equipment) or atelier (it will be more expensive). The difficulty lies in the fact that not all sewing enterprises are ready to work with small runs, but Lately There are more sewing shops ready to sew 10 units.

5) Sales. Sales can be through your own channels or through cooperation with stores. Your channels are again Instagram, a website and your online store, which you can quickly and independently set up in the designer, your offline store (this is rare).

Cooperation with stores: at first you will work with stores on a sales basis, that is, you send things to the store, and you receive money if your items are sold. The store's commission is approximately 50% or more. This needs to be taken into account when determining the cost of things. Prices in stores and on your website should be the same. (Roughly, the formula is something like this: cost * 3 is the wholesale price + the store’s markup is the retail price. The final prices need to be realized at the planning stage in order to understand how competitive the prices are). If everything is going well for you and circulation is increasing and sales are stable, then later you will be able to work with stores on purchasing terms.

Text by Tatyana Blagovidova

Photo freepik.com, abc.vvsu.ru, nehbetone.ru

We are starting a series of materials where we will tell you how to build production processes in different areas business. Let's start with the fashion industry. In this article we’ll tell you how to start a clothing line if you don’t know how to draw, sew, or understand anything about fabrics.

Our speakers

Basic concepts and specialists

Sketch- a schematic representation of the product on a model or on a plane. It can be drawn by hand or using a computer. At the next stage, the sketch turns into a design.

Design- a drawing of the future product, usually made in a special program. It is based on mathematical calculations and proportions.

Patterns- a design disassembled into parts of a future product for patterning on fabric. Patterns can exist both in in electronic format, and on paper - by hand. The patterns contain all the information for production: what and where to make stitching, seam allowances, and so on.

Constructor- the specialist who develops the patterns takes into account not only the shape of the model based on the designer’s sketch, but also all technological components. He transfers the designer's idea onto the drawings.

Technologist- a specialist who determines how to process individual parts and assemblies of a new model. Adapts patterns for production and optimizes production.

Cutter- a specialist who makes cuttings on fabric using ready-made patterns.

Is it possible to start a clothing line without having sewing knowledge?

Clothing brand Oxana Krengel

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

At university, designers are taught not so much to invent out of thin air, but to put their notes about the world around them into tangible form in their own handwriting. You can do without university training, but basic knowledge is necessary to speak the same language with specialists, and not explain things on your fingers.

Svetlana Lavrova

Founder and designer of the brandLavlan

There are many successful brands that were created by designers without vocational education in the field of design and sewing. It is enough to have a brilliant designer who will transfer your ideas from sketches to life.

A similar scheme works for our company. I am a brand designer, but without specialized “university” knowledge. Moreover, it seems to me that the lack of this knowledge even helps me. Sometimes I make it up new model, I come to the designer with a sketch, and he rolls his eyes and says that this cannot be done on fabric. I start to find out, look for reasons, and by the end of the conversation it turns out that everything is possible, but with minor changes.

So I am free from clichés and restrictions - I do not have this knowledge and, accordingly, there are no boundaries for creativity.

Basic knowledge: where to get it?

Clothing brand ART FLASH

Emilia Manvelyan

Founder and designer of the brandART FLASH

I advise all aspiring designers to become a member of groups ProCapitalist.ru And Friends only fashion on Facebook. These are friendly communities of clothing industry professionals. They respond to all requests. They will advise, advise, recommend, evaluate. You can find help in selecting personnel, a contractor (find a workshop), and materials. If we had known about the existence of these groups earlier, many issues would have been resolved more quickly and efficiently.

Exhibitions of fabrics and accessories help you immerse yourself in the sewing world, where you communicate with other specialists and receive necessary information about new products, trends - in general, you feel like part of a community.

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

I recommend short but concise courses in materials science, technology, and technical drawing. Perhaps the basics of composition, depending on what role you are going to play in creating the collection. After all, if the role is small enough, then you run a very high risk of losing the DNA of your brand along with the unforeseen departure of the designer. After all, a fashion brand is primarily based on personality.

Summarize. Where to get knowledge:

1. In specialized schools.

First you need to come up with the main idea of the brand, concept, designate target audience, price segment. Therefore you need to have at least general idea about what marketing is. To get the basics, I recommend Philip Kotler’s textbook for universities. Read basic concepts about 4p (product, price, placement, promotion), positioning and brand concept.

Our example. Our brand is based on the idea of multifunctionality: we make clothes for modern city women who live at a frantic pace. We call this style WORK&OUT. You can wear our clothes to the office in the morning and go to a date or party in the evening. The harmony of the collections lies in the combination different materials and clothing items, which allows you to fill many wardrobe needs.

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

Our example. Oxana Krengel is an elegant classic, in tune with the times, in the middle up segment (above average). Our laconic, strict and at the same time feminine models resonated in the hearts of successful working girls, although initially we did not set ourselves the task of making collections for business women.

First collection

Galina Stuchilina

Designer, Gala Grosso brand expert

As a rule, at the start it is better to start with a narrow line of the most popular items. Of course, you want bold experiments, but first, it’s better to choose what will be most in demand; perhaps you should limit yourself to basic, popular items.

Even if you want to sew evening dresses, start with knitted dresses or even sweatshirts. This will help you and get required experience, and not burn out on the first try (which is why beginners often give up). It is best to sew pilot samples in one or two copies. The first sample will allow you to evaluate the success of the resulting item and correct it possible mistakes. The second one will already serve as a kind of standard for the model, and it can also be used for demonstration purposes. If you managed to interest the site and receive an order, then start production.

Emilia Manvelyan

Founder and designer of the brandART FLASH

If your budget is limited, you shouldn’t immediately start developing and releasing a full-fledged clothing collection. Create two or three models in different color scheme and minimum size chart.

After receiving money from the sale, start developing more models, perhaps even for the release of a capsule. Gradually increase the pace and momentum, form a circle of contractors and partners. Many brands started this way.

Specialists can be selected on terms that are acceptable to the budget. Prepare a post for communities ProCapitalist.ru or Friends only fashion With detailed description the one you need. They will definitely answer you, offer options, recommend specialists and workshops. This way you can design and sew several products.

Marusya Meyer, Katya Bakumenko

If at the initial stage you have little money for the collection, but you need it in its entirety, then, as an option, you can sew samples and make things to order, adapting to the client. This creates exclusivity minimum costs. Personally, we already work this way with expensive clothing lines.

You can also negotiate with retailers, for example Lamoda, sew samples, make a lookbook and already create a collection for partial purchase.

Clothing brand Not Addicted

Creating a model: stages, working with specialists

STEP 1. Sketching

Svetlana Lavrova

Founder and designer of the brandLavlan

The designer creates a sketch. And passes it on to the designer for further work.

You can submit a sketch in the following form:

1. Drawing in fashion sketching format. This is a specific technique for drawing models in motion. The technique is subject to certain mathematical calculations and proportions; it is not difficult to learn - there are online and offline courses in Russia.

2. Schematic drawing.

3. Photography with a fabric sample on a three-dimensional model.

4. In words convey an idea. This is possible when you are already for a long time work together and understand each other.

The main thing is to describe in detail to the designer what you want in order to get the desired result. Then the designer, together with the technologist and designer, discusses how the item will be sewn with all the stitching, fastenings and hems.

STAGE 2. The designer builds patterns for this model in the base size for the brand

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

Each brand chooses the base size for its items based on its concept or needs. It can fit any size typology. Usually designers try on models with Russian sizes 40 or 42. But we prefer to test a sample in size 44, since it is the most popular for us.

STAGE 3. The item is assembled for fitting from fabric

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

You can use design fabric - calico. Or work with original fabric. Calico is cheap - 30–70 rubles per meter. It is convenient to work out patterns for costume and coat products, but it does not, for example, have the plasticity of silk and the elasticity of core materials. Because of this, we prefer to work directly with original fabrics.

STEP 4. After trying on the assembled sample, adjustments are made to the patterns for design and fit.

STAGE 5. The product is adjusted and reassembled.

STAGE 6. If everything is good, then the patterns are approved and transferred to the cutter for gradation in size.

Important! If the size range is large, then the samples need to be sewn 1-2 more sizes for checking.

How to find a designer and technologist

Emilia Manvelyan

Founder and designer of the brandART FLASH

You can search for contacts of specialists on the Internet - in a search engine, on specialized forums, as well as at various fashion events and exhibitions.

We design clothes remotely; we send the sketch and technical specifications to the designer by email. He not only prepares the patterns, but also transfers them to electronic format. We meet with him if, after sewing a sample, it is necessary to make significant changes to the model. If minor adjustments are needed, we describe the shortcomings and direct by email, comment, discuss changes over the phone.

We not only work with fabric, but also apply prints to each model. Therefore, the patterns are sent to a graphic designer, who superimposes the image and sends it to the designer, that is, me, for approval. Then they head to the workshop.

Galina Stuchilina

Designer of the brand Gala Grosso

Find good designer- task number one for any brand. I am sure that it is better to hire a person on staff so that he can get into the idea, but start-up brands can also collaborate with a freelance specialist.

Look for a designer with at least three years of experience.

Education- an ideal combination of college and institute:

in college they are awarded a tailor's rank, and the designer must be able to sew,
At the institute the foundation is laid and taste develops.

Skills: he must be able to work with his hands and with a CAD program - system computer-aided design, in which patterns are drawn or constructed. Of course, knowledge of the basics of CAD helps a lot, especially with routine work, but nothing can replace, for example, knowledge different methods tattoos on a mannequin.

The designer compiles the text and graphic documentation necessary to launch the model into production. Text - technical description models, graphic - patterns for cutting.

Also look for a technologist with work experience, since a lot depends on this person. He must understand the processing of seams and the technical sequence of manufacturing products, and know the properties of the fabrics from which the model will be sewn. The technologist is also responsible for quality control of products at all stages of production.

Be prepared that in any production the designer + technologist is the most expensive link.

For example, average market price for development design documentation for a simple dress - 2500–5000 rubles. Sewing and elaboration of a sample by a laboratory seamstress and technologist - 3,000–6,000 rubles.

Clothing brand Gala Grosso

Creating a large collection

Svetlana Lavrova

Founder and designer of the brandLavlan

If we talk about a large collection, then it begins with an idea, with a definition of what you want from it emotionally and energetically. To do this, for example, you can put together a mood board - a collage of visual images, colors, textures, and elements. This method will help the rest of the team get into the mood of the collection.

The next task is to develop a harmonious and balanced commercial line. A line is an assortment, a catalog. For example, a collection may consist of 5 items of dresses, 3 items of shirts, 2 items of trousers, 5 items of T-shirts, and so on.

I focus on the principle of a “balanced portfolio”: the collection should contain various products, which play their own role in the commercial component - you will earn more on some products, some you need for your image, some exist as a trial - that is, those products with which the consumer can get acquainted with your brand.

Trial products should be something small and basic:

For example, for us these are shirts. The main thing is that the trial price is cheaper than yours average cost per product. For example, our dresses, on average, cost 7-10 thousand rubles, coats - 18 or more, and shirts - about 5. Shirts are a trial. This is necessary so that the consumer does not have a price barrier to get to know your brand. So that he is more likely to purchase something inexpensive and come back again, ready to buy something more. About 20% of our collection has an image role, 80% are more basic things. And approximately 30-40% of all products are trial.

Fabric and accessories

Alla Levitskaya

You should know what fabric the item will be made from already when creating a sketch. That is, to understand how it looks in volume and movement, how it sits on the figure, what impression it makes and how it is structured from the inside.

There is another option: the collection from your imagination, reflected in the sketches, will be embodied in a stack of fabrics. The main thing is that you must see harmony, know how shades and textures combine.

Where to buy

Fabrics from the brand ART FLASH

Emilia Manvelyan

Founder and designer of the brandART FLASH

In Moscow, large wholesale and small wholesale warehouses and stores with a wide range of products, both in price and by country of origin, are located on Selskokhozyaystvennaya Street, 4 and Dubininskaya, 71. Regular suppliers often offer discounts, plus you can receive information about promotions and thereby minimize costs .

We selected fabric agents at specialized textile exhibitions. One of the most famous exhibitions is “TextileLegProm”. It is held in Moscow (at VDNKh) and neighboring countries. A large number of importers of fabrics and accessories, as well as Russian manufacturers, are participating in the exhibition. There are many samples and new products on the stands. You can take contacts, leave yours and receive news about arrivals, discounts, and promotions.

You need to search for suppliers of accessories using the same principle as textile suppliers: enter the parameters of suppliers and warehouses in a search engine. There are also many companies selling accessories along with fabrics at the exhibitions.

You can make a post request in social network groups dedicated to sewing. You will most likely be given many links where you can purchase what you need.

We prefer to buy accessories from the Buttoni company. In Moscow, she is one of the leading ones, offering a large assortment.

Oksana Krengel

Founder and designer of the brandOxana Krengel

There are many options for where to buy fabric and accessories. It depends on the concept and budget of the brand.

Stock warehouses- the remnants of unsold imported collections of fabrics from past seasons are sold there. These are high quality design materials at a price 3-4 times lower than the original one. In Moscow, such warehouses are quite easy to find using an Internet search engine.

Their downside: stocks sell out quickly, and it’s almost impossible to reorder an item. At the same time, if you plan to grow and increase circulation, set the cost of the fabric not at the stock price, but at regular prices. Otherwise, when you decide to switch from stocks to orders of regular fabrics, you will be faced with an increase in the cost of the product.

Fabric Agents- These are intermediaries between foreign fabric factories and Russian buyers. Most often these are our former compatriots who live, for example, in Italy and bring samples of material to Moscow. Their contacts can be found in a search engine for “textile agent, fabric agent.”

For our client, the quality and luxury of the fabric is important, and historically, good textiles are produced in Italy. That's why we cooperate with Italian agents. Companies specializing in mass markets make purchases in China.

Which is more profitable and reliable?

Clothing brand BibigoniYa

Olga Blindyaeva

Founder of a children's clothing brand"Bibigonia"

Where to buy fabric depends on the brand's capabilities at the initial stage. If you are not sewing a batch, but individual items, then it may be more profitable to buy the material at a fabric store. Or, if you sew by the piece and have a limited budget, you can buy so-called “coupons” from wholesalers - these are cuts from whole rolls. Although the price of a “coupon” is higher than the wholesale price (for example, a roll costs 400 rubles per 1 kg of fabric, and a “coupon” measuring 2 meters will cost 600 rubles per 1 kg).

But it’s still profitable: both because of the price (cheaper than retail) and because of the variety of colors and textures available from wholesalers.

You should definitely try the fittings in the product. If you order a batch, and in finished product the materials won't work or look good, the item will be ruined, and time and money will be wasted. Therefore we need to compare different manufacturers.

At fabric and accessories exhibitions, you can get one sample (for example, zippers) for free. But you shouldn’t rely 100% on the sample from the exhibition. If you like the material, collect feedback about this supplier, if possible, go to the production site, ask to see production samples.

Domestic fittings are different. For example, an elastic band (elastic band) Russian manufacturers excellent, can be purchased in several densities. Plastic zippers did not let us down (many puller options, large color card to choose from). We prefer to use imported buttons.

Sample sample

Alla Levitskaya

Founder and designer of the brand “Alla Levitskaya”

Before producing a batch of clothing, a trial sample must be made. If the previous stages are completed without errors, you immediately receive an almost perfect item. If not, look for at what stage the mistakes were made. After making a sample, you can understand how comfortable the model is in motion. Its quality and sales will depend on this. This important point, which completes the intellectual part of the work, where you can make adjustments to any of the stages of creation and achieve the ideal result.

ART FLASH

To produce clothes in small batches, you need to contact a sewing workshop or sewing studio (factories with large-scale production most often do not undertake such volumes). In an Internet search engine, ask: sewing a small batch of clothes. And view the companies that best meet your requirements depending on the units in the batch and the segment in which you want to develop.

Technically, you can find a production facility with favorable conditions in another city. But since the batches will be small, it is necessary to pay attention to the location so that logistics does not place a large burden on the cost of the product. Therefore, you need to calculate all expenses. We sew in Moscow. We have both a designer and a constructor in Moscow. Just not in the office, but remotely: we meet as needed. This reduces office rental costs, which initial stage very important.

I advise you to monitor specialized groups on social networks. They often offer the services of sewing workshops and ateliers. If you publish a post, they will throw in links.

How to find a sewing workshop if the fabric"complex"

Clothing brand L.L.

Lyudmila Kabernik, Elena Grigorova

Founders and designers of the brand"L.L."

If you work with some special complex fabric, the search for production becomes more complicated. Our fabric is silk. It’s hard to even cut it, let alone sew it, it moves, everyone knows about it. Unfortunately, both private craftsmen and workshops to whom we trusted it let us down. They showed us the products, and we were horrified: the overlocker was pulling, and so was the machine. We received products from the most beautiful expensive silk with unimportant appearance.

But we found our specialist. And where we didn’t expect it. We were told that such professionals work in the theater: they are behind amazing Japanese machines and specialize in silk, they know how to cut and sew it. We met them and are now collaborating. They help us create beautiful products.

How to work with production: prices, contracts, meeting deadlines

Svetlana Lavrova

Founder and designer of the brandLavlan

I advise you to get to know the production employees in person. Believe me, this will be important for both you and the staff. I once had the opportunity to spend a whole day in production, packing and labeling my first more or less large batch. Half the workshop helped me, and during this time I got to know them, they got to know me. Since then they have greeted me with a smile and completed everything on time.

Olga Blindyaeva

Founder and designer of a children's clothing brand"Bibigonia"

Prices for sewing things at different industries can vary quite a lot. For example, for sewing pants we were told the cost was from 70 to 150 rubles, sweatshirts with a hood with a zipper - from 120 to 250 rubles. Of course, when working with production, you need to conclude a contract in which you will stipulate, including the deadlines for completing the order.

But even with a signed contract and clearly defined deadlines, be prepared for the fact that you will receive your circulation with a delay. There are many reasons for this: a larger and more profitable order may appear in production that needs to be sewn urgently, the seamstresses will get sick or go on vacation, you will receive your order with a defect and some time will be spent correcting production errors. If your brand still has a small turnover, large production sites may significantly shift the originally stated deadlines. But even famous brands are not immune from this.

What to do if production misses deadlines?

Anticipate, set aside more time in advance for sewing the collection, constantly remind yourself - call the production, come there, in case of serious violations and disruptions - contact the business owner. It is best to hire a manager who will control the deadlines. This way you will save your own nerves, and will not ruin your relationship with production at the first order, and will receive the shipment on time.

I can advise you to achieve shipment of goods in batches (not the entire circulation at a time), obtain a realistic shipment schedule, coordinate and monitor its implementation. For the future, if you understand that the site is not coping well with deadlines, distribute the order to two or three sites (if the circulation allows). This option seems difficult, but in fact, it is winning.

Selling products: how to organize the sale of a batch

Lavlan brand clothing

About production in the region

Wishnya brand clothing

Elena Savina

Brand founder