Always dreamed of your own clothing line business? Online clothing stores have grown
rapidly over the last decade, creating plenty of opportunities for those wanting to start their own fashion brand.
Anyone can sell anything online these days, thanks to eCommerce and online marketing. And if fashion is your thing, it might just be the time to start turning your dreams into reality – a clothing brand that’s beloved nationwide.
Starting a fashion brand or your own clothing line is certainly not going to be a walk in the park, but it is also not impossible, especially with the amount of resources at our fingertips
today. But apart from passion and having a keen eye for fashion design, having
a successful fashion business is also about entrepreneurship. Having a proper
business plan, understanding people management and going at a sustainable pace
will help you to embark on your clothing business journey.
Here are some tips on how to start your own fashion brand to get you started on your way:
Decide on your niche. In the noisy world of fashion, consider filling a gap in the marketplace or think about a niche in the market that isn’t currently being filled. Is it a clothing line for children with tactile issues? Is it a loungewear that can easily be dressed up for a formal occasion? Or perhaps you have a unique design in mind for a specific customer group. Whatever your inspiration is for starting a fashion line, know your niche and always bear it in mind. It will help guide your journey even as you branch out as time goes on.
Develop a business plan. Before you embark on this journey, ask yourself, what is my ultimate goal for this product? What does my brand stand for? Who are my customers? Starting a clothing line requires many of the same considerations as starting any business. Identify your goal and keep it foremost in your mind as you build your brand. Take the time to do the research, identify the types of products that will resonate with your audience and create your budget, before building the product
Identify your target audience. This step goes hand-in-hand with the step above. While developing your brand, you need to know the target market of consumers for the clothes you want to sell. Consider the pros and cons of targeting certain demographics. For instance, young people may be more receptive to online and influencer marketing, but they also may have limited funds. Middle-aged customers may be able to afford a higher price point, but they may be less concerned with style and less keen on trying on a new brand.
Design and develop your line. For any clothing business, one of the most exciting parts is product development. This is your chance to creatively shine! The first collection you release to the market will be your calling card going forward, so make sure it is something you are happy and proud to identify as your own. At the same time, be practical. If you’re just starting out, whatever you’re designing will have to be produced in a cost-effective manner. It also pays to learn the latest industry standards, access resources and equipment, make contacts, and get feedback from pros in the industry.
Start manufacturing. It’s time to take your product to the manufacturers. Whether you are handmaking your own clothes, have your own commercial production facility or have outsourced the work, there is no doubt that having a manufacturing partner will let you free up time for other aspects of the business and design. How you choose to tackle production and choose a manufacturing partner comes down to a few points – are you concerned with ethical manufacturing or lowest cost? Is ‘made locally’ important to you? Do you plan to scale? How hands-on do you want to be in production? By answering these questions, you’ll be able to source the person or team you want to work with to make your designs a reality.
Begin the marketing process. Your new business needs brand awareness. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook has become a popular platform for this, and many Instagram influencers are happy to promote new fashion brands in exchange for products. You can also take a small batch of your products to a community marketplace, or use online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, and test your products. Use this opportunity to ask your customers for their feedback, and anything else they’re looking for, which you
can use to refine your line before its official launch.
Launch your product. When you’re ready to order your first full product run, it’s time to get serious about selling your product. Take the time to consider how you’ll price your products, package your products, market your brand, or perhaps utilize any deals or promotions such as Lazada’s marketing campaigns. You could also loop in potential business partners and
co-investors who can provide some capital in exchange for a cut of future proceeds especially if you’re just starting out.
Will you join the boom in eCommerce fashion? To take your dream from a business idea and make it in the frenzied world of fashion can be an all-consuming process, but it comes with great satisfaction. Lazada can help you on your journey towards creating a successful
clothing brand today!
Join Lazada’s latest fashion Gayamu, Caramu campaign and stand a chance to win cash prizes total worth up to RM60,000, Sponsored Discovery Ads credit total worth up to RM3,000 and more!
Interested to be your own boss? Sign up as a Lazada seller today.
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