Do you want to stop working for others and build your own fashion empire? Then you’ve come to the right place! The global fashion market is huge and offers endless possibilities.
In this guide, I will show you how to start your own fashion label step by step.
1. find the perfect name for your brand – branding
Your brand name is more than just a word.
It is your image, your values and the first impression you make on your customers.
Use the BRAND formula to make sure your name meets all the important criteria:
- Short & easy to remember: Easy to remember and pronounce.
- Reflective: What does your brand represent?
- Authentic: Connect with your target group.
- Available: Check whether the name is still free and available on all social platforms.
- Unique: stand out from the crowd.
Example: My husband has named his brand “nie”, which stands for “New Identity Evolution”.
He survived a stroke and his brand is intended to inspire people to break new ground.
2. define your style
From streetwear to luxury – the possibilities are endless.
Choose a style that suits you and appeals to your target group.
When someone hears your brand name, they should immediately know what kind of clothing to expect.
3. design your logo
Your logo is the face of your brand.
Here are a few options:
- Free: Canva offers numerous templates for model logos.
- Paid: You can find designers on freelancer platforms who will create a logo for you for little money.
Different logo types:
- Word logos: Your brand name in a special font (e.g. Coca-Cola)
- Letter logos: The first letters of your brand name (e.g. NASA)
- Icons/symbols: A graphic element that represents your brand (e.g. Apple)
- Combinations: A mixture of text and symbol (e.g. Lacoste)
Tip: Keep it simple and distinctive.
4. create your designs
Now it’s time to get creative!
You can design T-shirts, hoodies, pants and more.
Here are a few tools to help you:
- Free of charge: BrandCrowd offers free mockups for download.
- Free: Photopea is a free alternative to Photoshop.
5. create your online store
Shopify is a popular choice, but there are also other platforms such as Shopware, WooCommerce (for WordPress users) or Squarespace.
Each platform has its own pros and cons.
Think about which features are most important to you (e.g. payment methods, shipping options, design options) and compare the offers.
Important aspects when setting up your online store:
- Design: Design your store so that it matches your brand and offers a pleasant shopping experience.
Pay attention to a clear structure, intuitive navigation and high-quality product images. - Products: Add your products with detailed descriptions, high-quality images and different size and color variations.
- Payment methods: Integrate various payment methods such as PayPal, credit card, Apple Pay or Klarna to offer your customers as many payment options as possible.
- Shipping: Set up your shipping options and costs.
Consider whether you want to use a shipping partner such as DHL or Hermes or whether you want to organize the shipping yourself. - Marketing tools: Use the integrated marketing tools of your store software to promote your products and attract customers (e.g. email marketing, social media integration).
6. find a manufacturer
Finding the right manufacturer can be time-consuming.
Here are some tips:
- Made-in-Germany manufacturers: If sustainability and quality are particularly important to you, look for manufacturers in Germany.
- Trade fairs: Visit fashion fairs to meet manufacturers in person and see the quality of the products for yourself.
- Network: Talk to other entrepreneurs and designers.
They may be able to give you good recommendations.
Important aspects when choosing a manufacturer:
- Quality: Request samples to check the quality of the products.
- Prices: Compare the prices of different manufacturers and look out for hidden costs.
- Minimum order quantities: Find out about the minimum order quantities and delivery times.
- Communication: Ensure good communication with the manufacturer.
- Sustainability: If sustainability is important to you, look for manufacturers who use environmentally friendly materials and production processes.
7. promote your brand
There are many ways to make your brand known:
- Social media: Create engaging content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest.
Use hashtags to increase your reach. - Influencer marketing: Collaborate with influencers in your niche to present your products to a larger audience.
- Email marketing: Build an email list and send out regular newsletters with your latest products and promotions.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your online store and your blog posts for search engines to be found better in search results.
- Paid advertising: Place ads on Google, Facebook or Instagram to reach your target group in a targeted manner.
- Public relations: Press releases, interviews and cooperation with the media can increase your brand awareness.
Additional tips:
- Build a community: Build a strong community around your brand.
Interact with your customers and encourage them to share their experiences. - Collaborations: Work with other companies or influencers to increase your reach.
- Events: Organize events or pop-up stores to bring your products directly to customers.
- Customer loyalty: Reward your customers with a loyalty program or exclusive offers.
Conclusion:
Starting your own fashion label is an exciting adventure that requires a lot of work and passion.
With good planning, perseverance and the right strategies, you can make your dream come true.