Comments on: How to find investors for a clothing line pt.1 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/ How to start a clothing line or run the one you have, better. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:38:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Derick Abram http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-20397 Derick Abram Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:02:58 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-20397 This article is good but every type of clothing brand is different. I have plenty of celebrity friends who have clothing lines and some of them are doing very well while other may not. In either case, it just depends with each brand. Some investors like business plans, some like sales reports, others don't care about anything but the bottom line. It's just how much work you really put into that will determine what you get out of it. I've met all types of clothing CEOs from BCBG, Ed Hardy, Armani Exchange, to Miskeen, LRG, Phat Farm, and Rocawear. All of these people said that if you listen to every story out there that it will drive you crazy. You gotta just take control yourself and put yourself out there to be seen. You will learn as you grow, it's a part of life. It's good to have people who are already in the industry to give you connections to make some things easier but in the end it's all up to you. I know plenty of people who don't have patents til this day and they are selling like crazy. Others have patents and are doing okay. I'm not saying don't get it but if you don't have the budget for it, don't stress it. My first orders came from Australia and Germany and I wasn't even catering to them so it's all about getting your feet wet and crawling before you walk. Nothing in this life comes easy but it gets better with time. Much love!!! This article is good but every type of clothing brand is different. I have plenty of celebrity friends who have clothing lines and some of them are doing very well while other may not. In either case, it just depends with each brand. Some investors like business plans, some like sales reports, others don’t care about anything but the bottom line. It’s just how much work you really put into that will determine what you get out of it. I’ve met all types of clothing CEOs from BCBG, Ed Hardy, Armani Exchange, to Miskeen, LRG, Phat Farm, and Rocawear. All of these people said that if you listen to every story out there that it will drive you crazy. You gotta just take control yourself and put yourself out there to be seen. You will learn as you grow, it’s a part of life. It’s good to have people who are already in the industry to give you connections to make some things easier but in the end it’s all up to you. I know plenty of people who don’t have patents til this day and they are selling like crazy. Others have patents and are doing okay. I’m not saying don’t get it but if you don’t have the budget for it, don’t stress it. My first orders came from Australia and Germany and I wasn’t even catering to them so it’s all about getting your feet wet and crawling before you walk. Nothing in this life comes easy but it gets better with time. Much love!!!

]]> By: Michelle Anderson http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-11841 Michelle Anderson Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:04:26 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-11841 Great blog. Very informative. Fashion design is something I definite plan to pursue, as of now I'm currently designing my own clothing and taking orders here and there. Before jumping into this business I'm doing as much research as possible and making sure I understand the do's and don'ts before I invest ANY money. And truthfully I rather get a few business and fashion merchandising classes under my belt before jumping into it. But I must say I'm getting complements from white women (and men) who shop and Neiman Marcus & Nordstroms to black teenagers and adults who would rather wear Coogi over Robert Cavalli. So I know I have the potential, I just need extensive knowledge of production and merchandising. Great blog. Very informative. Fashion design is something I definite plan to pursue, as of now I’m currently designing my own clothing and taking orders here and there. Before jumping into this business I’m doing as much research as possible and making sure I understand the do’s and don’ts before I invest ANY money. And truthfully I rather get a few business and fashion merchandising classes under my belt before jumping into it. But I must say I’m getting complements from white women (and men) who shop and Neiman Marcus & Nordstroms to black teenagers and adults who would rather wear Coogi over Robert Cavalli. So I know I have the potential, I just need extensive knowledge of production and merchandising.

]]> By: Andre McCline http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4150 Andre McCline Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:34:45 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4150 The comments above as well as the article are very informative. I myself am trying to develop a clothing line. Im starting a T-shirt line first and letting it grow for a while. Finding a backer is hard, I think starting small with drive, focus and a realistic plan. Backers will have to notice you. Make noise with your lines style and never look back. The comments above as well as the article are very informative. I myself am trying to develop a clothing line. Im starting a T-shirt line first and letting it grow for a while. Finding a backer is hard, I think starting small with drive, focus and a realistic plan. Backers will have to notice you. Make noise with your lines style and never look back.

]]> By: Deibe Rondon http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4149 Deibe Rondon Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:23:22 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4149 this industry is very hard - and to find backer is even harder - financing yourself - its so hard - but also gives you less problems in the long term. - very nice article! this industry is very hard – and to find backer is even harder – financing yourself – its so hard – but also gives you less problems in the long term. – very nice article!

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4148 Kathleen Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:18:32 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4148 Why not just do it yourself? Nobody is going to invest in you if you don't even have prototypes. You have to come up with protos first. I'd recommend you get the book. I don't know how you've costed it out but I guarantee it'll cost less than you think. For comparison, you might want to review the whole <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/mt/archives/analyzing_business_plans_pt5.html" rel="nofollow">analyzing business plan series</a> I've been doing (five parts are up). The guy who's plan I'm reviewing doesn't even have protos either. I can't see him getting any takers on his concept either. Why not just do it yourself? Nobody is going to invest in you if you don’t even have prototypes. You have to come up with protos first. I’d recommend you get the book. I don’t know how you’ve costed it out but I guarantee it’ll cost less than you think. For comparison, you might want to review the whole analyzing business plan series I’ve been doing (five parts are up). The guy who’s plan I’m reviewing doesn’t even have protos either. I can’t see him getting any takers on his concept either.

]]> By: Gary J. Heim http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4147 Gary J. Heim Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:56:58 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4147 So based on the above article, taking into consideration the DO's and Don't that are emphasised, how would you proceed if you had the product/designs, projected production costs, project timelines and COGS for the product. The line is not revolutionary in design but concentrates on an industry in active sportswear that is experiencing a renewed vitality......tennis apparel! There has to be a listening ear and interested investor somewhere! Every idea presents and opportunity.......who knows this might be it! The right eyes have to see it.............thank you for your article. So based on the above article, taking into consideration the DO’s and Don’t that are emphasised, how would you proceed if you had the product/designs, projected production costs, project timelines and COGS for the product. The line is not revolutionary in design but concentrates on an industry in active sportswear that is experiencing a renewed vitality……tennis apparel! There has to be a listening ear and interested investor somewhere! Every idea presents and opportunity…….who knows this might be it! The right eyes have to see it………….thank you for your article.

]]> By: alonzo http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4146 alonzo Mon, 21 Aug 2006 05:13:43 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4146 WOW. Thats a good article on business investors and the do's and dont's, of a business plan and running a business otherwise it's really good knowledge. Im starting a clothing line and thats good info. Thanks WOW. Thats a good article on business investors and the do’s and dont’s, of a business plan and running a business otherwise it’s really good knowledge. Im starting a clothing line and thats good info. Thanks

]]> By: gmt http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4145 gmt Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:02:32 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4145 I couldn't agree with you more. The fashion industry is so laden with hype, trends and the 'next big thing' that some designers go into it without knowing about the gritty mfg., production, legal and financial aspects that really carry the business. As I designer, I spend a week working on designing, the rest of it is calculating costs, mfg, resources, sales paperwork, paperwork.. I couldn’t agree with you more. The fashion industry is so laden with hype, trends and the ‘next big thing’ that some designers go into it without knowing about the gritty mfg., production, legal and financial aspects that really carry the business. As I designer, I spend a week working on designing, the rest of it is calculating costs, mfg, resources, sales paperwork, paperwork..

]]> By: Gary Wassner http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4144 Gary Wassner Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:31:11 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4144 Investors want track records, not ideas, when it comes to apparel. Sales of the product, whether produced and shipped or just in the form of firm Purchase orders taken, are evidence of a viable product. There's much more involved in bringing the product to market than simply the design. I look at everything before I commit to a new company, and I usually don't finance start ups who haven't yet had at least one season. There are exceptions though. If the designer and principals have worked extensively in the same market before, either for themselves or for other companies, I might be willing to work with them the first shipping season of the new company. Investors want track records, not ideas, when it comes to apparel. Sales of the product, whether produced and shipped or just in the form of firm Purchase orders taken, are evidence of a viable product. There’s much more involved in bringing the product to market than simply the design. I look at everything before I commit to a new company, and I usually don’t finance start ups who haven’t yet had at least one season. There are exceptions though. If the designer and principals have worked extensively in the same market before, either for themselves or for other companies, I might be willing to work with them the first shipping season of the new company.

]]> By: Julie Knox http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-4143 Julie Knox Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:23:04 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/2006/08/how_to_find_investors_for_a_clothing_line_pt1/#comment-4143 I am continuously surprised by all this mention of patents, both in the book and on the site here - obviously a lot of people you have dealt with talk about getting or having patents. When I was first conceptualizing starting an apparel business, it wouldn't have even crossed my mind to try to get a patent (not that it would now either). I'm not inventing the lightbulb, or teflon or something, it's just clothes. I did want to eventually register my brand name and logo for trademark protection, just because it would suck to have brand confusion, and if you're registered, then anyone else getting started can search their name ideas, and yours will show already in use if it's the same.. I'm just wondering where this idea of patenting everything comes from. Is it a cultural thing? Is someone advising people that this is important or necessary? Who, as a start up, has the money to go to court and defend their patent anyway? I am continuously surprised by all this mention of patents, both in the book and on the site here – obviously a lot of people you have dealt with talk about getting or having patents.

When I was first conceptualizing starting an apparel business, it wouldn’t have even crossed my mind to try to get a patent (not that it would now either). I’m not inventing the lightbulb, or teflon or something, it’s just clothes. I did want to eventually register my brand name and logo for trademark protection, just because it would suck to have brand confusion, and if you’re registered, then anyone else getting started can search their name ideas, and yours will show already in use if it’s the same..

I’m just wondering where this idea of patenting everything comes from. Is it a cultural thing? Is someone advising people that this is important or necessary? Who, as a start up, has the money to go to court and defend their patent anyway?

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