It seems like everyone is starting their own clothing line from Kim Kardashian to Snoop Dogg, so why can't you? If you have a passion for fashion and a head for business, starting your own clothing line can be a fulfilling endeavor. This page will help you learn how to start a clothing line.

A clothing line is the business of making and selling your clothing designs. And while the fashion industry may seem like a glamorous business where you hobnob with celebrities and watch your gowns walk down the runway, starting a clothing line is hard work. When you first start out, your clothing line might consist of you working on your own. You'll have a lot of responsibilities, from designing the garments to producing the final product to marketing your brand. http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner

Starting a clothing line might not be all about the clothes, but if you love fashion, design your own clothes, and have an entrepreneurial mindset, you have the tools to make your dream profession your real profession. Get the ball rolling by reading the process outlined in this guide.

Now is the time to figure out what you want from your clothing line. Will it be a hobby where self-expression, rather than profit, is the goal? Or will it be your career, where longevity and profit are your endgame?

• What is your vision for your label and for your company in general? Ask yourself these questions:

1. What do you want your designs to say about your brand?
2. What is your style?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfJnmhoaRbQ
3. Who is your target market? Be very specific!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJxZu5xKL0 To be successful, you will sometimes have to adjust your designs to fit your customers' needs.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfJnmhoaRbQ
4. What will be the price range of your garments?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJxZu5xKL0
5. What will your clothing line add to the market? Is your line marketable?

The fashion industry is full of designer boutiques, mass-market trends and bargain blahs. To stand out, you need to find your niche.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJxZu5xKL0 Focus on one area of fashion, such as women's evening wear, casual apparel or sportswear, and then limit the number of items in your collection. For example, Ralph Lauren started with a small necktie collection.http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner/ Once you establish your brand, you can diversify and expand your line.

Time to get your creative juices flowing and create a name and logo for your line and company.

1. Your vision for your designs and your company should help inspire your name.
2. Think about your target clientele.
3. You don't have to use the same name for your label and your company, but they can be related.
4. Be creative, but try not to be too obscure, unless that is part of your vision.

• Once you have your new name, there are few steps to take.

1. Get a web domain, Twitter account, MySpace account, Facebook account, etc.
2. Register your trademark.
   1. Familiarize yourself with rules and regulations.http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc/basic/ trademark
   2. Do a trademark search.
      • Search online in the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/acadres.htm
      • If your name or logo has a design element, you will need to search here the Design Search Code Manual as well. http://tess2.uspto.gov/tmdb/dscm/index.htm
      • You can also do a physical search at the Trademark Public Search Library.
   3. Write a clear description of your mark and include a representation (picture).
   4. Use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) to electronically file an application. http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html
      • You will receive a filing receipt with a serial number immediately, and a response within six months. The process may take a year to several years.http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm
   5. For more info, see The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)] or contact the Trademark Assistance Center at 1-800-786-9199http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htmhttp://www.uspto.gov/

• A clothing line is just like any other start-up business. Here are some tips for getting your company up and running.

1. Decide on a business structure: LLC, sole proprietorship, etc. This will impact your business liability, funding and taxes.
   1. The laws may differ for business structures from state to state.http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/getlicensesandpermits/index.html
   2. You'll need a tax ID number and a business license.
   3. Make sure to register your business with the city, state, or federal government.http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/business-structures/llc/forming-llc-checklist.html
   4. For more information, check out Mahalo's How to Incorporate a Business page.
2. Develop your business plan.
   1. To sell your clothes and make a profit, you'll need to write a business plan. Treat your business plan like a road map for success. Stick to it!
   2. Your business plan should include expenses and future goals.
      • This can include anything from materials, to supplies and equipment, to advertising and marketing, production, web hosting, and your salary.
   3. Evaluate start-up costs.
   4. For thorough information, check out Mahalo's How to Write a Business Plan page.
3. Get a bank account under your new business's name and file the proper paperwork so you can cash checks under that name.
4. Obtain funding. If you don't already have the funds:
   1. Find a business investor or partner.
   2. Apply for a bank loan.
5. Create a budget and stick to it.
6. Keep organized and detailed financial records.
7. Research the fashion industry. This needs to factor into your business plan because knowing the history of fashion, the current trends and future trend predictions will help you keep your clothing business on track and marketable.http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner/
8. Find a workspace/location.
   1. Whether you work out of your garage or down on Fifth Avenue, keep your personal and business expenses separate.
   2. Make sure the location fits your budget.

• Designing your clothing is a vital step when starting a clothing line, because without clothing, there is no line.

Since you are interested in starting a clothing line, you probably already have the basic design skills necessary. Basic design skills include:

1. Sketching fashion designs.
2. Sewing and pattern making.
3. Fashion and textile knowledge.

• For more information on clothing design, check out Mahalo's How to Design Clothes page. To become more advanced, many fine arts programs offer fashion design and fashion merchandising degrees. For more information, check out Mahalo's How to Become a Fashion Designer page.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the design process takes 18 to 24 months. Before you start a clothing line, you need to understand the design process as a whole. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos291.htm

1. Research current trends to predict what styles, colors, and fabrics will be popular.http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner/
2. Conceptualize an idea.
3. Sketch preliminary designs.
4. Select fabrics.
   • -Consider the color, texture, weight, pattern and cost of the fabric.
5. Use cheaper but similar fabrics to create a prototype.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.htm
   1. Create a pattern.
   2. Cut and drape the fabric.
6. Make final adjustments and create a sample using the actual fabric selections.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos291.htm
7. Market your clothes. Display the sample at fashion shows, trade shows or retailers.
8. Manufacture your garments.

Even though knowing about clothing design is a good idea, you don't need to be a fashion designer to start a clothing line. If you don't design clothes and have no interest in learning, you will need to hire a fashion designer. Here are a few tips:

1. You don't need to hire a big name, just someone who can help get your brand off the ground.http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner
2. Try to hire a fashion designer who attended a prestigious fine arts school. This will help give your line credibility.http://www.fashion.net/howto/fashiondesigner
3. At the very least, hire someone with talent and who is creative but marketable. They should be willing to tailor their vision to suit your target market.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJxZu5xKL0

The production process will vary slightly, depending on the size of your company and whether you outsource or do all the work yourself. Here is the general process:

1. The designs go to a pattern maker.
2. The pattern maker sends the pattern to the manufacturing department.
3. The manufacturing department sends the finished garments to shipping.
4. The shipping department sends the garments to whoever bought the product. If the garments are not already sold, they are ready to be shipped once sold.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.html

Formulate your production plan - who's going to do what, how much is it going to cost, what needs to be produced, how many need to be produced, etc.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJxZu5xKL0

1. Think about hiring help, like seamstresses, technical designers (who will help turn your designs into the final product) or a clothing manufacturer.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.html
2. Use quality materials. Customers will judge your line. You are building a reputation, so if your garment costs $100, it better look like it should cost $100.http://www.joltconsulting.com.au/business_opt1.htm
3. If you haven't done so already, you'll need to create a sample, or have a sample created for you. Think of it as a test run. That way the final product will come out exactly how you want it.
   • You can then use this sample to get orders. Take the sample to fashion shows, trade shows, retailers, craft shows, etc. This way you can figure out how many garments to produce.http://www.joltconsulting.com.au/business_opt1.htm

If you lack the skills and the time, or just don't have the means, you may want to hire a clothing manufacturer. A clothing manufacturer will take your designs and produce the final product. There are tons of clothing manufacturers out there, both in America and overseas.http://www.clothinglinehelp.com/clothing-line-production.htm Here are a few resources to help you search:

• • Apparel Search: USA Clothing and Textile Factories
  • California Department of Industrial Relations: Garment Manufacturers Registration Database
  • Alibaba: Clothing Manufacturer Global Trade
  • Google Search: Clothing Manufacturer

• Once you have a list of manufacturers, to find the right fit, ask each manufacturer (or your top five) the following:

1. How much will it cost to get what I need?
2. What are the turnaround times?
3. Do you provide samples before finalizing production? How soon will I receive the sample?http://www.clothinglinehelp.com/clothing-line-production.html

Even if you do everything right up until this point, if you don't publicize your line you'll have a tough time making a profit.

1. Word of mouth. Make fabulous clothes and they will come. Help spread the word by wearing your own designs and telling anyone who asks (and even those that don't!) you made it.

2. Utilize free social networks such as YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to raise your clothing line's visibility.

3. Write your own press release and distribute it to newspapers, etc.

1. Buy ads. These ads can be in newspapers, magazines or online. Just make sure your target market is likely to view the media.

2. Have a contest where you give away free merchandise.

3. Sponsor an event. Keep your name out there and associate it with something good.

4. Make sure your website is professional and easy to navigate. Include the URL on business cards and other promotional material, like fliers or your press release.

5. Eventually, when your company has grown, you can hire an advertising firm.

You have clothes; you have prospective customers; now you need a way to get those clothes to your customers.

• You have a couple of options:

1. Open your own store.
2. Sell your line to a retailer, who will then sell your clothes from their store.
   1. Make an appointment with the store's buyer or owner to show him or her your samples.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.html
      • Some retailers buy as far as two seasons ahead.
   2. Get their order in writing by creating a purchase order in an office program or buying a form from an office supply store.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.html
3. You can also take your samples to craft fairs, flea markets, fashion shows and trade shows.

• Online sales can be a great addition to your sales plan. You can either use your own professional website (Remember that domain name you bought?) or you can use online marketplaces, such as:

1. Etsy: Sell on Etsy
2. Amazon: Amazon Marketplace
3. eBay: Clothing, Shoes and Apparel

• If you sell online, you will need to take accurate photographs of the front and back of each garment. Avoid grainy photos. If customers can't see the garment, they won't buy it. You may need to hire a professional photographer. You can also consider using models to model the clothing.

Consider everything that goes into making your clothes when deciding on a decent price.http://www.fashionjobreview.com/Sell_Your_Designs.htm This should include:

1. Material costs.
2. Salaries for you and any employees.
3. Advertising costs.
4. Manufacturing costs.
5. Other expenses, like utilities, supplies and equipment.

• Starting a clothing line can amount to a lot of long hours and hard work, but don't give up. The designers who are most successful are those who are involved in as much of the process as possible, from designing to manufacturing to marketing and selling—so don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Good luck!