5 Tips and Tricks for Fashion Designers to Grow Their Line
Fashion designing is an attractive career choice for many creative individuals who love to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment. From keeping a tab on the new trends to offering fresh designs for the buyers, the fashion industry is focused on the demand for new trends and is consistently on the lookout for new and emerging trends as and when they arrive. The industry is growing and evolving.
Statista mentions that the apparel market expects a peak growth of around 6.2 percent in 2020. The fashion industry is booming, and there are more people than ever trying to succeed in fashion. However, with so much growth and a multitude of entrepreneurs starting their own line, it can be challenging to succeed and make a name for your unique label. If you wish to grow your fashion line, incorporating the following tips can be helpful.
- Specialize
If you want to thrive in the fashion industry, you need to find your niche. How to pick a niche? To begin, conduct a thorough market survey and analyze your findings. Did you identify a gap in what consumers of a particular market segment want and what is available in the market?
Create a product line that fills that gap and caters to that segment. It could be casual outfits for young people, maternity clothing for moms-to-be, formalwear for the corporate male, or anything in between. Pick and specialize in your niche. Use your creativity to fill the gap and stand out from the competitions.
- Make and Follow a Business Plan
Having a business plan is critical for any entrepreneur. A business plan is a strategic tool that helps decision making and aids in receiving funding. It lets you follow your goals without getting distracted. With a proper business plan, you can help grow your brand and increase the chance of success for your business.
Writing a detailed business plan requires a lot of research and analysis. A well-laid-out business plan will help you gain financing for your business. Ideally, a business plan should include an executive summary followed by market analysis data, your product lines, and funding requests. Revise your business plan from time to time and make necessary tweaks when needed. Check out more tips on business plan writing here.
- Invest in Software
Investing in the right tools and technology are the best way to cultivate innovation in your apparel business and take it to new heights. Product Lifecycle Management software is a must-to-have for every retailer. PLM software originates in the automotive and aviation industry, yet it has become a necessity in almost every business in our society today.
A good PLM software can help you meet industry requirements, lower costs, improve quality, and reduce production time. It works by simplifying the process, bringing everyone to one common platform. If you're not leveraging it yet, it's time to invest in a smart and practical product lifecycle management system for your fashion business. From the brainstorming concept, design, manufacturing, to service, and disposal, a PLM software can do everything for you.
- Test, Test, Test
If you want to build a strong reputation for your brand, you need to ensure your products are of superior quality. To achieve that, test your products before releasing them on the market. Perform some necessary tests to check how the fabric behaves in sunlight, laundry, and daily wear and tear.
The bursting strength test is another way to check the strength of the fabric. This precaution is especially necessary if you're in the sportswear or performance wear business. The pilling test is another great way to check damage from regular wear. If your product is a lining garment, an abrasion resistance test is a must. For dyed and printed fabrics, a color fasting test is also strongly recommended.
- Keep Your Designs Fresh
Lastly, keep your customers hooked to your business by keeping your design fresh and new. Be in sync with the latest fashion trends, and keep your products relevant. Focus on new products, as customers love to see new merchandise on the shelf every time they return to your site. Spend more attention to your top products and update them often. Having stale and outdated products on the shelf may cause consumers to lose interest.
Let's face it. Growing your line in the fashion industry can be challenging. These five tips and tricks can be a gamechanger for your business!