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This question came to us ... recently...
" I was contacted by Brooklyn Fashion Weekend. Is this run by the same people who to run Brooklyn Fashion
Week?
Thanks...I am a designer."
Below is the conversation that ensued! It's a quetion we always get and we diplomatically answer...
Or when is brooklyn Fashion Week?
I can tell from many of the pitches that the applicants are NOT ready... I cannot submit the queries on a business level! There is a Fascination wwith "doing a Fashion Week". Many are in fact surprised that I ask why do you want to do a fashion week?
BROOKLYN FSHION WEEK IS ABOUT BUILDING A SECTOR... simple
This Morning an article in Huffington Post " Joah Spearman: Fashion Weeks and Trade Shows: The Has-Beens of the Fashion Industry? http://j.mp/mQmRjh' came across my desk. Later I listened a designer aftre designer complained...
The fact is we need to show ... somehow designers believe the "SHOW" will be a miracle solution, when it is merely the start of a process! Should I do a fashion week... I answered that question for Top Stitches magazine, while at the same time working with local designers towards a viable solution!
Designer:-
Recently I was contacted by Brooklyn Fashion Weekend. Is this run by the same
people who to Brooklyn Fashion Week?
Thanks,
I am a designer.
BFW (www.brooklynfashionweek.com):-No Brooklyn Fashion Week is run by designers we secured
the name as an open format with the intention of ensuring all designers
had access to the use of the name in 2004/5. We subsequently explored format/s has served or serves the
interest of independent designers! We do not believe as designers that
the traditional fashion week is working… The Name was secured to leverage the brand potential
for independents!
At the same time many independent designers are
NOT positioned to leverage their creative collateral challenges we
identified!
So we have thus far concentrated one on one events
with a few designers We now have a program and solutions that address
some of the core issues we identified! Our focus i s quality and BUSINESS of FASHION! We are determined to explore business development,
Product development
branding etc and to sell on merit rather than hype or celebrity!
I will not comment on other “fashion week’, save to say that
there are four Brooklyn events I know of www.Williamsburgfashionweekend.com has always contacted and informed
us of their events and we share their info with designers!
Designers are the only ones who can decide if they are ready!
I simply ask the following …
o Are you ready to do a fashion week?
o Do you have production in place?
o Is your sizing, tested and are you comfortable
with what sizes and numbers you need to produce
o Do you have your business in order
and financing and funding organized!
o If you get orders … How will
you deliver!
o Do you have line sheets
o Pricing etc
o In fact if i were to ask you to send
me your sales or marketing collateral in 24 hours can you deliver!
We have also seen designers step up and NOT make the changes necessary to sell product.
Designer:- I have been selling to
store for years, but my method is one on one with the stores buyer with the
samples in hand. I do not do sketches and I do not do line sheets. I produce
everything myself and when needed hire extra help for the sewing.
BFW:- I look forward to reviewing your
line, can you send me a link to your web site!
I am familiar with that method... I grew up within that practice! It’s what my mom practiced as I did
... in the early days!
First up...
Thanks for opening up, it gives me a chance to address core
issues and misconceptions ( I will actually make a post on this sans your name of course) I have also
been a buyer and ran the incubator program at 4w Circle 2006-2007!
So I've stood in every role in the fashion supply chain.
EVERY designer needs to hit the streets, especially in the
early days and maybe one day you can share some tips with others! But after
the first year or two, your business should have grown and someone else is
hitting the streets.. Since YOUR time will be needed elsewhere!
On the other hand
The method you describe limits your earning potential... a sole entrepreneur
need to bring in $50,000 (min) for the first person in the operation
(self) and $40, 000 per additional person to
· Live at a fair standard
· B) Pay someone a fair wage and life
at some level of comfort ...
It
Is Possible to Earn Six figures in the first year of a fashion business… if one is
prepared and understand what needs to be done! I threw out the number so
you can gauge where you are… You are the only one who can honestly decide your
success and needs. Now Line sheets and sales collateral are not for YOU!
They
are for your buyer!
You are NOT the only person/designer they will interact with nor see... It
helps them when they need to make a decision... It can be a simple one pager. The
other reason small labels need this is growth and scaling your business
That
admission tells me you most likely sell to local “mom and pop”
operation!
Retail stores and chains REQUIRE sales collateral! Marketing collateral is
about building brand awareness! When the sales team sits down to make a decision
they will look at that info! If you
do not have it you will not be considered.
They will not attend your fashion show, but they will look at your
selling info!
It is perfectly acceptable to make a conscious decision to service only a
few small boutiques! But if you plan to grow and take your line as far as it
can go ... it means making decisions for the line...
I
do not mean to offend, but frankly, length of time (in Business) is not a guarantee or indication of successful
methods... especially in a changing world. I have a boutique in Australia asking for
fashion lines... I cannot send you to her door but I can send your
package! On the other hand, I really would love designers with a track
record of sales so I'll send you info!
Designer:-
I am definitely not at the point you are describing yet, but am still
interested in being on your mailing list. Maybe soon, but I still work a full
time job. My plan is to grow to a few more stores each season.
Now
you have touched at the core of what makes www.BrooklynFashionWeek.com
different! We offer the 28squared program,
support and services! We
designed our program to move creative’s form a 9-5 to a full time full
time business! The fact is many do NOT
know the steps to take… nor can they afford the professional services needed,
as a collective we can negotiate better pricing in sourcing! We also focus on Technology and have
been working on video and social selling
techniques… since 2006 and as such … we
are prepared for the transition and are preparing designers!
The core concepts within the 282AC Virtual Global Incubator and Artist
Collective are designed to support global physical initiatives around the world
providing workshops, seminars, programs and sourcing
- Tools and resources for research
- · Sourcing inspiration/ trends; Fabrics/
Material
- · Facilitating Product
development and Exploration
- · Conceptual Design,
Exploration & Development=
- · Seminar and workshops in
Business strategy, development and execution!
- · Line Development &
Merchandising
- · Production and Finishing
services
- · Branding & Intellectual
property Management
- · Funding and Financial
Service and Support.
- · Schools, Education
& Training
- · Niche (specialist in this
sector) Service Professionals & Professional Association
- · Pr/Marketing & Press;-
both to Consumer/Trade
- · Development of promotional
press kits, portfolios,
- · Space & Platforms for
sales
- · Funding, Financing grant and
loan solicitation.
- · Warehousing &
Fulfillment Export/shipping
- · Development of digital
skill-sets
- · Development of Mentor &
Experts to present on topics
- · Presentation Opportunities
Exhibits, whether kinetic or static, will be sought and/or developed
- · Direct audience presentation
at a critical stage. Effort is made towards
- · Retirement & Legacy
Planning
- · Archival documentation
of processes
- · Collaboration- barter
& Volunteers
- · Cultural Crafts &
Artistry: -Utilitarian Arts
- · Community, peer support and
collective responsibility Virtual enterprise
We also created the Artist Collective
Program and stocklist… we do not simply list we ensure that each product listing is maximized
for search and digital distribution and we are working on heavy offline
marketing program as well as selling programs via for various affiliates
networks globally! I have personally successfully one fashion businesses from
zero to six figures in a Year: Took an Artist collective from the threat to
closing to it’s Best sales season in three years and artist within that
collective to personal records;
We have found this successful initiatives require artist designers and
crafters be ready for distribution at various levels and so we will be working
with them to optimize their listing… see Initial samples www.28squared.com/AC
In the meantime;- work on your line we’ll be offering product
reviews; start building your network: Social online and offline, build your mailing
list organize your email and touch base with past customers! Get a
website and Facebook page and twitter and engage with your customers!
Most importantly start sourcing production!
Define your pitch make sure other understand, believe and
support what you are selling!
We have an open call for Seeking Artist Designers and crafters who wish to
work together towards change!. For a Full walk through of our program offering; or to be be considered for
our program-
Please submit request here http://www.282ac.com/call/Related items
Last update : 04-07-2011 19:26
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Brooklyn Fashion Primer 
