• Starting My Own Clothing Brand in the UK
    108 replies, posted
So yeah I've decided I finally want to do something with my life, so I thought hey why not start up my own business. Since a young age I've been heavily influenced with music and due to my less than perfect upbringing I've always looked to music to control my mood. Now I've kinda decided to create a clothing brand which will focus primarily on the emotion and feeling that music invokes into clothing (sounds difficult I know). I'm still struggling to come up with a name, ChaseClarity was one suggested to me that I liked, but not sure it's catchy enough. I have aspirations of hosting big festivals and possibly a record label at some stage down the line. I'm a content and community manager for a social media company, but the only thing it's inspired me to do is something else. Like most people I want to do something that revolves around something I'm passionate about and I feel like this is that direction. I've got £10,000 to invest in the business to start off with, I've got a photographer signed up from Australia to provide images for my website and possibly my clothing range later on. I got in touch with him because he's got a distinct style which matches my idea of the brand. [url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/christianbenetel/[/url] [img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8244055986_19180e254c.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8245725545_e05a58f4ff.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7751721702_8630538e24.jpg[/img] Does anyone have experience in any of these business fields? I'm open to any form of suggestions, I'm really just looking for name ideas. If you think it's a shit idea then please say so but keep it constructive. I'm also looking for writers to blog for me when I get the website up and running, so if you're as passionate as music as I am then get in touch! Types of music my idea is really influenced by: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PuRi3d2Ock[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_MW6Xf5dTo[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q880CS76MT4[/media]
name it Veil
[QUOTE=NixNax123;41129438]name it Veil[/QUOTE] That's actually not half bad, and that ladies and gentlemen is why I posted this on here. Some great minds floating around on this forum believe it or not. Oh by the way, slogan - Close your eyes and see clearly. Beautiful quote that I found while wading through naked women on DeviantArt...
Clear Skies edit: The quote made me thing of closing your eyes and dreaming, which in that case made me think of flying in a dream. Dreamscape could also work
[QUOTE=Gustafa;41129589]That's actually not half bad, and that ladies and gentlemen is why I posted this on here. Some great minds floating around on this forum believe it or not. Oh by the way, slogan - Close your eyes and see clearly. Beautiful quote that I found while wading through naked women on DeviantArt...[/QUOTE]The slogan definitely fits with the image of a veil too.
if you need a shirt designer or something pm me portfolio on the left under the avatar
Are you aiming for any particular style of tee?
[QUOTE=WeekendWarrior;41130685]Are you aiming for any particular style of tee?[/QUOTE] Not particularly, if the style is right and I feel it's in keeping with the brand I don't see why it shouldn't be put up. [editline]21st June 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=WeekendWarrior;41130685]Are you aiming for any particular style of tee?[/QUOTE] And to add to that by the way, I'm not limited to tees. I'm talking hoodys, shoes, sweaters/jumpers, hats, jewellery, jackets, coats, scarfs, anything really.
Why pay for a photographer from australia when someone in the UK could do the same style very easily and not cost you a fuck ton?
[QUOTE=Angoose;41130973]Why pay for a photographer from australia when someone in the UK could do the same style very easily and not cost you a fuck ton?[/QUOTE] Im a UK tog and id do it for transport costs :P
Save the money and spend time looking in the UK. Perhaps uni students? Dirt cheap gives them something to put on their CV and if they are shit you can always go to a "pro" And people complain there aren't any jobs in the UK!?!?!? Sorry im ranting now. Best of luck OP
"Gusta." Sounds clean cut and kinda italian
I'm on a editoral and advertising photography course, and there's plenty of students in the above years who'd be more than willing to give it a crack. Some fantastic photographers too.
It's not like I'm closed off from UK photographers guys, I just found him on Flickr and got in touch so I could use some of his stuff. He's not on a contract or anything. If you feel you've got stuff or know anyone of a similar style feel free to post it. [editline]21st June 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Angoose;41131155]I'm on a editoral and advertising photography course, and there's plenty of students in the above years who'd be more than willing to give it a crack. Some fantastic photographers too.[/QUOTE] Hook me up!
messaged you Also considering you have quite a big budget, you should consider using more fine quality materials (nappa leather, organic wool/cotton), anyone can make a brand these days and a lot of people have, you should make something that's above average to the normal market. Or give yourself some sort of hook that will get recognition (eg. using fairtrade materials)
Nothing to do with design etc. I'm afraid, but a good piece of advice I once picked up is that a successful startup should sets up it's accounts as soon as possible and keep well on top of finances. (The actual advice was to get an accountant straight away, but I don't think a small business needs to) Also an economic downturn is considered a fairly good time to start a business as you will be looking to be more efficient and get better deals, so you and your business will have a better focus going forward.
Take out an ad in Front once you get some products made (or any other magazine really, either way a bit of advertising can't hurt).
[QUOTE=Gustafa;41130753]Not particularly, if the style is right and I feel it's in keeping with the brand I don't see why it shouldn't be put up. And to add to that by the way, I'm not limited to tees. I'm talking hoodys, shoes, sweaters/jumpers, hats, jewellery, jackets, coats, scarfs, anything really.[/QUOTE] I have no idea of how businesses work but if you want to start a clothing brand shouldn't you have experiences with fashion? Or are you planing on hiring designers?
[QUOTE=Cranefield;41131125]"Gusta." Sounds clean cut and kinda italian[/QUOTE] no thats sounds like some awful meme
[QUOTE=Desuh;41131522]I have no idea of how businesses work but if you want to start a clothing brand shouldn't you have experiences with fashion? Or are you planing on hiring designers?[/QUOTE] You don't necessarily need experiences with fashion, it helps, having an awareness of current trends is paramount. You just need to be fashionably aware.
Name it Gucio and sell in Poland
[QUOTE=Desuh;41131522]I have no idea of how businesses work but if you want to start a clothing brand shouldn't you have experiences with fashion? Or are you planing on hiring designers?[/QUOTE] My experience is primarily in branding and business. I'm currently heavily involved in running the social business consultancy I work for and have seen our turnover triple in the last 2 years. I've always been fashion concious, people always tell me I wear nice clothes etc. I spend a lot of time in London and Brighton, so it's quite difficult not to know people who are in the fashion industry. I've got plenty of people up my sleeve ready to start creating stuff for me, so don't worry about anything on that side of things.
[QUOTE=Gustafa;41131646]up my sleeve[/QUOTE] i get it also are you starting off with a website or retail
[QUOTE=NixNax123;41131729]i get it also are you starting off with a website or retail[/QUOTE] Website, then IF things take off, I'll be relocating and opening a branch in London.
you should probably put a lot of your money into advertising then (just to start off), then once it becomes semi-popular tone the advertisements down and let word of mouth do your advertising for you. and once you do get a retail store up, people will recognize your name and flock to it, just so they can get the material faster
[QUOTE=NixNax123;41131771]you should probably put a lot of your money into advertising then (just to start off), then once it becomes semi-popular tone the advertisements down and let word of mouth do your advertising for you. and once you do get a retail store up, people will recognize your name and flock to it, just so they can get the material faster[/QUOTE] I think you should exhaust every avenue of free advertising first, like local newspapers etc. they love free interesting stories
[QUOTE=butt2089;41131923]I think you should exhaust every avenue of free advertising first, like local newspapers etc. they love free interesting stories[/QUOTE] I know reporters who'd probably do an article, but as far as advertising goes, I'm pretty sure they'd charge me.
[QUOTE=Cranefield;41131125]"Gusta." Sounds clean cut and kinda italian[/QUOTE] That's Spanish.
[QUOTE=Angoose;41131452] Or give yourself some sort of hook that will get recognition (eg. using fairtrade materials)[/QUOTE] You should strongly consider this idea. It will definitely set you apart from other brands, even if it means making fewer pieces at the beginning due to cost.
[QUOTE=D3TBS;41130654]if you need a shirt designer or something pm me portfolio on the left under the avatar[/QUOTE] i'm willing to help out as well
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