Archive for June, 2007

Need Help?… Starting your own Fashion Company?

June 28th, 2007 Fashionista

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We have compiled a list of resources and business assistance programs for clothing designers to start their own business. However, since this is a blog, they get buried under newer postings. So here is a post of different resources (by Location) to help you get started!

For Fashion Business Assistance in New York

http://thealexanderreport.com/fashion-business-centers-and-incubators-in-new-york

For London Fashion Business Assistance and Resources for Designers

http://thealexanderreport.com/london-fashion-business-assistance-and-resources-for-designers

For Los Angeles Fashion Resources and Business Assistance

http://thealexanderreport.com/los-angeles-fashion-resources-and-business-assistance

And for India Fashion Resources and Business Assistance for Designers

http://thealexanderreport.com/india-fashion-resources-and-business-assistance-for-designers

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The Clothing Industry in Myanmar

June 26th, 2007 Renato Palmi

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketThe Mr Price Group Limited Importing Apparel from Myanmar (Burma)

South Africa. The Mr Price Group Limited, a large clothing retailer in South Africa is importing apparel from Myanmar. The discovery made by the author has found women’s long sleeve shirts retailing at Mr Price with a “Made in Myanmar” label. In response to the quota restrictions on Chinese clothing imports South African retailers said that they would be forced to find alternative suppliers – discovering that one of these alternative suppliers is Myanmar is very disturbing considering the blatant human rights and labour violations that take place in a country that is governed by a Military Junta.

The Clothing Industry in Myanmar

The clothing sector in Myanmar, which is known for its extremely poor working conditions, is a vital industry earning approximately US$400m in exports in 2001/2[1] According to research the average weekly hours spent in the factory by a worker in the garment industry is 60 hours. Copies of 2006 salary slips from workers in the garment industry reflect that the average monthly wage including overtime can vary between US$ 14.00 to US$ 36.00. For a worker to earn +- US$ 36.00 per month they need to put in nearly 157 hours over time.[2] In 2000 it was reported that there were over 300 export orientated garment companies in Myanmar employing in the region of 120 000 people.

In July 2004, the military government introduced a new law to regulate labour in factories that employ over 100 workers. The government established the “Workers’ Supervision Committees”(WSC). This comprises of four representatives elected by the workers but chaired by the factory owner. (more…)

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Designs on fashion as a business in South Africa

June 26th, 2007 Renato Palmi

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketMOST of us see fashion designers as glamorous artists with skinny models strutting in their creations along the catwalks to catch the eye of the rich and famous. But there is more to being a fashion designer, and their economic contribution to KwaZulu-Natal’s coffers is often underestimated.

While Cape Town and Johannesburg are often lauded as the fashion centres of the country, Durban has had a consistently successful fashion design industry since the early 1920s.

Research analyst Renato Palmi, who is consulting to the MTN Durban Fashion Week to establish the economic benefits of the event, said that designers were artists who often did not fully understand the business side of their profession.

“Many local designers don’t even know how much it costs them to make up a garment, or how it should be priced to ensure they make a profit.”

Last year’s MTN Durban Fashion Week attracted 66 designers who were all interviewed by Palmi. “More than 10 000 people attended the event last year and 80% of the designers said they had managed to gain direct orders for their clothing.

Sustainability

We were also able to establish that each designer employed at least four people and outsourced work to the cut, make and trim (CMT) industry, which adds to the sustainability of clothing manufacturing in the province.” (more…)

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Branding Fashion

June 25th, 2007 Ralinda Harvey

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The hands down most exciting part of launching a fashion business is creating the brand.

In creating your brand you are essentially giving birth to its personality and character plus building brand equity you’ll be able to cash in on for years to come. If everything goes according to plan you’re able to establish a strong emotional connection that makes your
consumers feel as if they can substitute if necessary you but never replace you.

One reoccurring theme I’ve noticed amongst branding experts has been the dire importance of positioning as the first step in creating a dynamic brand. (more…)

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How To Be Assertively Feminine

June 20th, 2007 Fashionista

By Alison Finch

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketIf somebody asked you whether you’d like to be an assertive woman, most of you would probably say yes, but only after a few moments’ thought. Of course, a few would say “I am already!”, but far more would say things like “it depends what you mean” or “I’m not sure”. Only a tiny minority would actually say no.

What do these reactions tell us?

Many women feel that the word “assertive” sounds aggressive, even though they know that it really isn’t supposed to be. The thought of being assertive is therefore not very feminine. It’s as if – by being assertive – they would become less attractive, lacking in empathy and kindness, a bit too “in your face”, rather grabby, mean, serious and, well, not very likeable at all!

So how do you learn to stand up for what you believe in, retain your femininity, state your desires clearly, and get your own way when you deserve to do so?

It’s very important to make a clear distinction between being assertive and being aggressive. And not just in a look-it-up-in-a-dictionary sort of way.

Dictionaries will tell you that “assert” means to put oneself forward boldly and insistently. This is certainly a skill that an assertive woman possesses, but aggressive women can do this too. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why aggressive women sometimes give assertive women a tainted reputation!

The verb “to assert” is also defined as “to state as true; affirm; declare; to maintain or defend in a moral sense such as your right to something”. And in this rather tedious list lies a clue to help us make that useful distinction. (more…)

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Hip-Hop’s Influence on Brands

June 18th, 2007 Fashionista

By Isha Edwards
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It has been 35 years since its founding and hip-hop continues to thrive in urban America. Once a block party fad that started in the Bronx, New York, hip-hop is now a $4 billion-a-year-music industry that spans the globe. Although it has always been the voice of inner city youth and young adults, hip-hop has evolved to include the 25 to 34 year-old demographic segment. Proving its staying power, for the past five years hip-hop remains the top-selling genre over country music and is second only to rock music. Formerly known as rap, hip-hop is a moving cultural force that first garnered the attention of corporate America in the early 90’s. When hip-hop made its debut into mainstream, corporate heads began to turn. Enterprising brand managers embraced the culture and soon realized substantial results.

In an effort to be a hip drink of choice, Coca-Cola’s Sprite brand began using rap music in commercial ads in 1994. Sprite Brand manager, Pina Sciarra affirmed that Sprite’s appeal as a favorite soda quadrupled as a result of the ads. Taking notice of Coke’s commercial success, Burger King and several restaurant chains followed suit with similar advertising approaches. By bringing the edgy styles (more…)

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How to Open a Clothing Boutique

June 18th, 2007 Fashionista

By Emma Drosy

Find out more on how to open a clothing boutique

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketA boutique is a small retail shop that generally offers specialized products and services. The most common boutiques sell crafts, gifts, accessories and apparel. Boutiques have always been popular for the variety that they bring to a mall or shopping center and that popularity has increased as the number of small business owners has likewise increased. Customers come to boutiques in search of unique merchandise at reasonable prices with a quality service experience.

In order to open a boutique a potential owner must start with a desire to work in the retail industry and enjoy interacting with the public. Most boutique owners are those that choose to break away from the day-to-day grind of working for someone else and take the plunge into small business ownership. These owners are looking for flexibility in their schedules and to have control over their lives as well as financial stability. Boutique ownership can be a major step on this path. Making the decision that you want to open your own boutique is the first step and one that should be applauded. You will want to start by putting a business plan and financial plan on paper before you physically lease a space or buy your inventory. This paper version will not only help you to focus your efforts, but as you look for financial assistance you will be asked for your business plan by just about everyone you deal with.

Before anyone wants to put money into your efforts they want to see that you’ve thought about where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.

As you create your business plan you will need to consider such factors as:

What niche will my boutique fill? Where will I get my merchandise? (more…)

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Inspiring Leadership Lessons

June 13th, 2007 Fashionista

by Glory Borgeson

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Several years ago I watched the Academy Awards show from start to finish for the first time. In the years before that, I could only watch about 30 minutes of the show before I got bored out of my mind. But this particular year I didn’t have to work the next day, and after 30 minutes I wasn’t bored. Billy Crystal was hosting and he was hilarious. At the time, I just wanted to be entertained.

I don’t think I’ve watched many more “Oscars” shows from start to finish since then. However, once I added TiVo to my electronic equipment collection so I could record shows on the TiVo hard drive (and fast-forward through commercials and any boring parts), watching a long show such as the Academy Awards became easier. So in 2005, I intended to watch the Oscars for only an hour or so (which, with TiVo, would mean I would get to see about two hours of the show!). Yet, I found that I kept watching it beyond the first hour.

Why? I’m not a big movie buff. I certainly don’t care about Hollywood. And Chris Rock, who hosted that year, is funny, but he’s not funny enough to keep me glued to the tube for 3 hours (TiVo or no TiVo). (more…)

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(Offer) Mignonette Designs

June 13th, 2007 Fashionista

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Mignonette is dedicated to making beautiful clothing that combines girly elements with modern shapes. We like to unite patterns and fabrics in unobvious combinations, or reclaim a piece of fabric in a completely unexpected way. We try to use reclaimed and recycled fabric or trims in every piece, and when possible, we are working towards only using fabrics dyed with soy-based inks or made in other sustainable ways so we can minimize our impact on the Earth and maximize the feel-good factor of wearing our clothes.

We always listen to the fabric before deciding what to turn it into and every piece is lovingly handmade using high-end sewing techniques and tricks learned from our backgrounds in tailoring, fine arts, and architecture.

Mignonette means cute girl in French, and we want people to feel cute and confident in our designs.In a world of homogenized fashion we want the clothes we make to have unique personalities. (more…)

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Angel Investors – How to Interest Them in Your Business

June 11th, 2007 Fashionista

By Lee Lister
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Angel Investors are considered by many to be the best type of investor in your business. Angels are usually successful business owners and entrepreneurs who can also bring you valuable industry experience, executive knowledge, creative ideas and contacts. They can usually afford to indulge their love or risk and are often seeking new business challenges. To be an angel in the USA, one must be an “accredited investor,” which the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as someone with a net worth of at least $1 million or an annual salary of at least $200,000. Similar rules exist in other countries.

So how do you attract and investor to your business and are they really what you want?

Build a Convincing Case: Angel investors may be willing to take on more risk than most, but they still need to see a well thought out business plan with a proven product that has a recognizable and eager market need backed by a competent management and development team.

Establishing Your Market: Your angel will need to be convinced that your business will meet the market need and that there is a clear “barrier to entry” from competing companies. They will hardly want to invest in your company only to see your marketing advantage disappear.

Typical barriers to. (more…)

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