Have you noticed other people copying your style lately? They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery and, in this case, it can also be a new source of income for you. You can curate pieces or design your own and hire someone else to sew them for you.
The fashion industry in Australia is yet to make a dent globally, but there is a clear boom in the local industry. This month, the Australian government invested $1 million in the fashion industry to encourage local designers to continue their work. There is a clear recognition of the local fashion industry, and this was emphasized during the pandemic, as the reliance on shipments from other countries declined. These are all signs that the time to get into the fashion industry is now and that there are opportunities to be had.
To make your mark as soon as possible, here are some ways you can stay on top of the game when your brand enters the market:
1. Solidify Your Aesthetic
What is your aesthetic going to be? What kind of woman are you styling for? It’s one thing to dress, and it’s another thing to dress other people. If you’re alright with simply putting into production what you would wear every day, and if you believe that that is what is next in fashion, you can go ahead. It will come down to the taste level of your desired client.
2. Assemble the Team
If you can’t sew, it’s not new for designers to hire a team that can. Hire a team that can help strengthen your collection. When you’re starting, it can help have someone on board that will provide feedback on your designs and help you edit them towards a clear vision. Sometimes, designers can come up with overwhelming sketches, and it usually takes a second or a third pair of eyes to notice what needs to be changed.
Aside from the seamstresses, you can also hire models if you’re planning to have a preview of your collection when your shop opens. But that can always come later, along with photographers, lawyers, accountants, and so on. The important thing is that you have a team that will help you make your dream a reality.
3. Set Up Your Studio
You’re going to need a safe space to set up your work. Figuring out a location for your studio can determine if you’re going to work on your first collection well enough and on time. Another thing to consider is your team. They’re going to have to be able to produce your designs and help you tweak your collection to perfection.
The best possible thing you can do for your anticipated work-life balance is to start looking for land for sale options online. Being able to distance yourself from the comfort of your home tends to place you in a situation where you can focus on yourself and your upcoming collection. Once you decide where you want to set it up, you can invest in a brand-new studio custom-built for you and your team. What can be more conducive to productivity than a workshop built just for you?
4. Network The Industry
You’re going to need the support of anyone and everyone in the industry to help you get through the initial stages of introducing your brand to the market. If you don’t have connections, you’re going to have to start making them. Don’t lose hope — they’re not going to be that hard to find. In a brutally honest business, whether you’re in or out of the fashion world, you’ll find people who are rooting for your growth and future victories.
If you can find someone in the industry to introduce you to the right people, you might find yourself in collaborations that you would’ve never even thought of. These unexpected collaborations can help bring out the best in your designs because you’ll be able to see fashion from a different perspective.
These are 4 steps of a very long journey you’re about to have. Not everyone is lucky enough to have success in fashion. But if there’s one thing every successful fashion designer can tell you, it’s that you should never give up. There’s always room to grow, to edit, to rediscover which clients fit your aesthetic best. Once you get your groove, you can become unstoppable. When that moment comes, everyone who’s backed you in the industry will be proud of your journey.
