The Trunk Show Model: A Guide to Starting Your Fashion Business

May 3, 2023
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Starting your fashion business

Trunk Show – Starting Your Fashion Business Starting a fashion business can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the industry. But what if we told you there’s a unique business model that allows you to showcase your designs, reduce risks, and build a loyal customer base? In today’s blog post, we will explore the…

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The 5 Essential Fashion Superpowers for Starting a Successful Label

April 26, 2023
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Essential Superpowers for a Successful Label

The Five Fashion Superpowers Needed to Start a Fashion Label Starting a fashion label is a challenging task, but it can be incredibly rewarding for those who possess the right skills. In this blog post, we explore the five fashion superpowers that are crucial for anyone looking to successfully break into the fashion industry. From…

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Starting a fashion label and need a quote?

April 20, 2023
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Need a quote?

Tips for Requesting a Garment Quote: Providing the Right Information Are you planning on requesting a garment quote? It’s important to know that it’s not as simple as just asking for a price. Manufacturers and pattern makers need specific information in order to provide an accurate quote or estimate. In this blog post, we’ll provide…

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Why Tech Packs are not the Silver Bullet we all hope for Garment Production

April 14, 2023
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Detailed Specs

If you work in the fashion industry, then you’ve probably heard of a tech pack or a spec document. These technical documents are essential in the garment production process as they contain all the necessary information required to create garments accurately. However, if not done accurately, they can cause the production process to go wrong,…

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The Three Biggest Factors That Can Impact Your Timeline

April 6, 2023
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When developing a product, one of the most important things to consider is the timeline, knowing how to manage your time can be the difference between success and failure.   There are many factors that can impact your timeline, from payment to fabric selection to the information you provide to your pattern makers and manufacturers.…

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Mentee’s Launch: Ellee The Label

April 4, 2023
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Ellee The Label Wrap Front Dress Fern Linen (3)

We are proud to introduce our latest mentee launch! ELLEE THE LABEL is an Australian womenswear label proudly designed and made in Australia, crafted in natural and cellulose fabrics. The label is 100% female founded and owned by sisters Abbey and Jessica Smythe who desired to create an Australian designed and made, conscious womenswear label.…

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The three biggest reasons why people don’t launch their product

March 30, 2023
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  Have you ever found yourself stuck in the development process and not launching your product? It can be frustrating, especially after investing so much time, effort and money into it. In this blog post, we will discuss the three biggest reasons why people don’t launch their product. Let’s dive in and see how we…

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The importance of correct patterns and samples in production

March 23, 2023
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  If you’re looking to start your fashion business, you already know how important it is to have a vision and bring it to life. However, one of the most crucial aspects of starting a fashion business is having a correct pattern and sample to take to a manufacturer. In this blog post, we’ll discuss…

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How do you know your pattern maker will get it right?

March 16, 2023
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As a mentor, one of the many things I hear from new designers is how we truly understand their ideas and vision. This is a valid concern since it can make or break the development process and the budget. In this video, I will be answering a question from a new mentee who asked, “How…

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Garment costs

March 9, 2023
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Did you know that there are many factors that can affect your final profit margin? What goes into the cost of garments? As a designer, there are a number of things you do to reduce your garment costs, but something that can have a big impact with this, is fabric width. I recently had a…

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Revitalizing your patterns and using them to the best effect

March 3, 2023
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Revitalizing Your Patterns

Today I want to share some valuable insights on how to make informed decisions to move forward in the future with your patterns and make the most of what you have spent in the past. While this is more aimed at established businesses that have gone through the development process before, it is also critical…

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Where do you find inspiration for your fashion range?

February 24, 2023
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Fashion Label

Where do you find inspiration for your fashion range? Well, before diving in, the first thing to think about is: Are you doing a high fashion/ high-trend range or a range that reflects your personal style and market needs? Your sources of inspiration will significantly depend on your answer to this question. So, this is…

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Who owns my patterns?

February 17, 2023
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Patterns

Who owns my patterns? Is it the pattern maker? Is it the designer? Or is it shared? This is quite a common question often asked by start-up fashion designers. I think this is a really critical topic for you to get clarity on as your patterns are your investment. You need to know where you…

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Finding fabric agents and suppliers

February 10, 2023
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Finding Fabric Agents

Starting a fashion business in Australia can come with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to finding the right fabric suppliers.  During my recent trip to the US for a trade show called Impressions, I was struck by the simplicity of finding fabric agents and suppliers in the fashion industry, thanks to…

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Launching a unique product offering quickly

February 3, 2023
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Launching A Unique Product Offering Quickly

Just this last week I have been over at the Impressions Trade Show in the US where I talked to over 350 people in 3 days and I am so excited to share with you what I learned from it, and what I can bring back to help you. Wondering what the Impressions Trade Show…

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Working out costs of development and production

January 27, 2023
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cost of starting fashion label

There is a huge list of questions that I have been asked over the last 12 years from start-up designers. These are the most common questions that everybody has and probably you are looking for answers to similar questions. So, in this blog, I’m answering one of the most asked questions and that is around…

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Do you need grading?

January 20, 2023
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Pattern Grading

Did you know we do grading for patterns that have been made by other pattern makers?  This was not always the case. In 2020, we purchased a Nhega scanner. We found the old digitizing board to be too inaccurate to respect the time and effort you had put into your patterns, so we did not…

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Setting and achieving your goals in 2023

January 13, 2023
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Achieving Goals In 2023

Happy New Year! If you’re anything like me, you had a lovely break, but you thought about all the things that you wanted to do in the next year. I seem to have the same goals each year. Mine is getting healthier and learning to do more art – but I promise this every year,…

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How to set your goals for success in 2023

January 6, 2023
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How To Set Your Goals For Success In 2023

Hey Fashion Designers! Welcome to the new year! Are you ready to set your goals for success this year? I know that having a strong plan is the best way to tackle your plan, no matter how big or small it is. But what is the best way to do this? And what are the…

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Expert tips on how to start your fashion label

December 16, 2022
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Expert Tips On How To Start Your Fashion Label

Do you have questions and concerns when it comes to figuring out what needs to be done to launch your fashion label? There are so many questions and concerns when it comes to starting your own business, and it’s normal to feel a bit confused and scared as these are big and important questions. The…

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