Garment costs

March 9, 2023
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Website Blog Graphic Template

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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Tech skills to learn when starting your own fashion business

December 9, 2022
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Starting Your Own Fashion Business

Thinking of starting your own fashion label? I had a really great question come through this week from one of our listeners that I would like to discuss today, and the question was: “If my plan is to create my fashion label one day, what fashion specific tech skills should I learn, that would have…

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Should I digitise my patterns before or after grading?

December 2, 2022
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Digitise Manual Patterns

Last week, I discussed what pattern grading is and what choices you have or how you read between the lines of others’ opinions on the best path to take. I extend this conversation today in this blog to discuss whether you should digitise your patterns before or after grading. It seems like an obvious answer, but you…

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The crucial process of pattern grading

November 25, 2022
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Pattern Grading

Whenever you are looking to create a range of clothing, pattern grading is a critical step in the process. So, what is pattern grading, and what are your choices, or more importantly, how do you read behind the lines of others’ opinions on what is the best path to take? In simple words, pattern grading…

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Are you paying too much for your pattern making process?

November 17, 2022
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Pattern Making Process

Are you paying too much for your pattern making process?  When you are not really thinking about the process or you are unsure about the best pathway for your patterns, you might waste time and leave money on the table. In today’s video, I am sharing my expert tips and insider information to help you…

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Cost of starting a fashion label

November 11, 2022
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Starting A Fashion Label Australia

One of the biggest questions we hear all the time is about the cost of starting a fashion label.  There are some rough numbers that are easy to give you and there are costs that need a detailed investigation to give you an accurate price. Offshore manufacturing is different again, with a production price given…

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The Cost of Freight…Are You Being Ripped Off?

November 8, 2022
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Freight Costs In The Fashion Industry

When it comes to offshore pricing and local pricing for freight, you are not comparing apples with apples but more so, apples with oranges… If you have just received a quote from a freight company for the products you have made and now you are wondering if it is a rip-off or if it is…

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Celebrating manufacturing and suppliers in the fashion industry

November 8, 2022
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Manufacturing And Suppliers In The Fashion Industry

In my last blog, I spoke about one of the major issues that we need to address for the survival of the fashion industry in Australia: the exclusion of the pattern makers, makers and manufacturers and the lack of opportunities available to them within the public sphere. I believe it is really important to highlight…

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One MAJOR issue to address for the fashion industry to survive

October 20, 2022
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Fashion Industry To Survive

We all love an inclusive industry; I was lucky enough to be invited to a wonderful inclusive fashion parade this week. But unfortunately, not everyone in the fashion industry feels included. I often see pattern makers, makers and manufacturers being excluded and not given as many opportunities as offered to designers within the public sphere.…

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What happens behind the scenes in the fashion industry?

October 7, 2022
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Behind The Scenes Fashion Industry

This week has been super busy but very exciting and fun as we have been in the process of our Start Your Fashion Business Workshop! As you must already know, this is a 4-part live video series for people who are thinking of starting their own fashion label or looking to move their label onshore.…

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