You have been developing ideas for your own line of fashion. You are ready to take the plunge and start your own line. While you are excited for the prospects of an incredible business venture that lies ahead of you, you need to know how much time it will take.
It takes on average a twelve-to-eighteen-month window of time to produce a fashion line. As with many business undertakings, the process to start a fashion line varies for each company due to a number of variables.
Variables such as types of items in your fashion line, how much work you have already accomplished, and the time/financial commitment you can make can alter the timeline. Continue reading for steps to consider when calculating the time you need before producing a fashion line.
Developing your Business Plan
This is a key first step before launching your fashion line. A detailed business plan must be written. You believe in your great ideas but committing them to a plan is essential to ensure that you are creating a saleable product.
Your business plan should include the following items.
- A vision statement – where do you see your fashion line in one or two years?
- A mission statement – what is the purpose of your fashion line?
- Product line – what will your fashion line include?
- Logo and Name – what will your fashion line be named and how will the logo represent your brand?
- Target customers – who will your fashion line appeal to?
- Focus – what makes you unique?
- Production concept – how will you produce your fashion line?
- Sales – how will customers acquire your fashion items?
- Marketing – how will you build and maintain your customer base?
For timeline purposes, this step will take about four – six weeks. You will need to complete some research while developing your business plan. The more thoroughly you explore your ideas at this step, the clearer vision you will have to make decisions.
How To Start Designing Your Own Clothes
Designing your Product Line
In this step of exploring the time to produce a fashion line, you are creating the actual product line. You can control the speed of accomplishing this phase in the process. Targeting to conclude your designs in under four weeks will let you move to the production step more quickly.
In your launch, designing a collection with six to ten pieces would be the best approach. As your fashion line gains momentum, and you have dependable suppliers, then you can add items, which will build on your success.
Another benefit to a focused fashion line at the beginning is the number of samples you need. A cohesive collection that minimizes the number of different fabrics is also recommended. In addition to saving time, you will also invest less money in your fashion line.
Impacting the timeline in this step of design is the complexity of your fashion line. If your designs necessitate the addition of beads, zippers, buttons, and other trim, that will add to the timeline. Consider including a mix of designs. A blend of intricate pieces and some that are less complicated and therefore require fewer steps to create will save on your timeline and create a balanced collection.
Creating Samples of your Products
Before you begin full production, you need to create samples. This is a time-consuming process, but integral for a successful fashion line. As with the design step, the larger the collection, the more time you need to budget for this step. If you are staying with the focused collection of six to ten pieces, plan for three to six months to create samples that meet your standards.
Part of creating samples is ensuring your garments will fit your target customers well. After the first samples are sewn, they need to be tried on. Alterations to the samples are then made. Once the samples fit correctly, the patterns themselves must be corrected. This can involve a few repeated steps in the process; however, it is worth the time. Your patterns need to be able to be replicated in the full production process.
Another component of samples is piloting different fabrics. Sourcing your fabrics can take up to a month. Trying a variety of fabrics when creating samples is important. The fabric will affect the fit of the garment, the ease or difficulty in sewing, and the price point of your fashion line. Additionally, consider fabric availability when choosing the fabric for production.
How to Teach Yourself Fashion Design
Production
After your samples are successfully sewn, it is time for production. Not all manufacturers that will create samples will also create full production runs. Estimating your timing for this step, you need to plan for four to eight months. Some of this time line might be able to overlap with when you are having your samples produced. You can use some of your samples to search for production facilities.
It will take time and extensive research to locate production facilities. Many plants require a minimum quantity to be produced. Variations in quantity can dramatically affect your production costs. You may need to budget time and many to visit production facilities. Be sure to thoroughly read any contract before signing.
Production involves ordering the fabric for your fashion line. You need to order a sufficient quantity of material for the length of the production run that you contracted. Any trim, beading, buttons, etc. also need to be ordered. All materials should be at the manufacturer’s facility before they begin the production run.
Include in your timeline the days/weeks it takes to ship your finished garments to you. While each garment might only take a week or so to produce, remember that you have multiple pieces that need to be produced.
Selling and Marketing your Fashion Line
Use your business plan to guide your development of your sales and marketing ideas. Components of this step can be completed simultaneously as you develop samples and begin production. However, the timing of when you release your marketing needs to be coordinated with when you will have product available for sale.
Your sales and marketing strategy should be multifaceted. One key element is a means to show your products. Diagrams of your preliminary sketches can be used to begin introducing your fashion line to prospective customers. Initial samples that show your designs coming to life should also be included.
Your actual garments and other components of your fashion line will come to life in your marketing when shown on models. Pictures of your products need to be of professional quality. This is the most effective means of marketing your fashion line.
Introducing your products on social media is a great way to commence your marketing campaign. Before you start developing your social media promotion, honestly assess your skills. Do you have the time and the background to create and continually update social media? If you do not, include in your timeline the steps required to hire someone who can perform these tasks for you.
Another component of social media you need to create is a website. If you will be selling to your customers online, a commercial website is required. Your fashion line needs to be effectively displayed on the website. Ordering must be a seamless process. Also, you need to set up your website, so it is easy for customers to locate. Again, if this is not your forte, hiring someone who can build a searchable commercial website is worth the investment.
Plan four to six months to develop your sales and marketing strategies.
Time and Money
Your timeline from concept to sales can be altered with more or less time and money. The hours you have available in your day will change how long or short this entire process will be. It is possible to produce a fashion line while working a fulltime job. However, there are finite hours in the day, so it might take you longer than it would if you worked full time on your fashion line. Yet, working will provide a revenue stream for you. This might allow you to hire other resources to streamline the process.
Best wishes on your journey!
How to Write a Fashion Clothing Marketing Plan.
Related Questions
What does it mean to freelance in the world of fashion?
Freelancing in the fashion industry means that you will get paid to design for someone else. Commitments vary; contracts can be signed for certain projects or a set amount of time. Freelancers are considered self-employed and can choose which projects they want to work on.
What types of fashion freelance job openings exist?
Freelance fashion work opportunities exist in all fields of fashion. You can work creating patterns, drawing illustrations of fashion, validating sources of supply, and sewing sample garments.
What are freelancing platforms for fashion?
Freelance platforms are arenas in which businesses can find freelancers, and freelancers can find work. On most platforms, freelancers can post their portfolio. Clients list jobs for which they need to hire. Freelancing can be a great way to build experience in the fashion world.
In addition to freelance platforms, are other ways to get freelancing jobs?
Freelancing jobs can be found through in-person methods and online. In-person might be through local business meetings, mutual acquaintances, and previous clients. You can also use your online presence to search for clients and for clients to locate you and the services that you offer.
To learn more about how to start your own fashion clothing line check out my startup documents here
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Fashion Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a designer or boutique owner at a craft fair, farmers market, retail location or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Fashion Business Boss: I want to help fashion business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.