In design school, your inner design diva is nurtured to not restrict your creative freedom, to help you grasp your inner vision, and to get to know your aesthetic. Then you might learn how to keep that creativity in check and consider the business side of fashion. I went to Pratt in the early 90’s, and had a wonderful experience, but I did not learn anything about the business of fashion until years later.
[ctt tweet=”Your price point ensures your garment will actually be sellable, and make it to market. via @MakersRow” coverup=”2DIfK”]
It is crucial to learn how to control the cost of your garment. Your price point ensures your garment will actually be sellable, and make it to market. These 4 important items will affect the price of your garments. Â
1. Fabrication
60% of your garment cost comes from the fabric chosen. So when designing and planning that piece, it is key to know the fabric price point per yard. The trims are also an important factor, and being aware of the price added by each buckle, bow, and binding placed on the garment will help you control costs from the start.
2. Construction
Taking into account the finishes, specialty stitches, and amount of seams within a style will help to control your price point.There will be times that the more seams you add to a piece the price will increase (in labor cost), and sometimes the lack of a seam will cause a higher price (in fabric consumption).So weighing in on the better route first, is very important.
Adding in French seams, baby merrow stitches, 5 needle flat locks, all take specialty machines. These types of construction, also dictate where your line is produced.
3. Location
Fully lined garments with inner support construction, and hand work will most certainly be produced in a different factory location than a 4 way stretch legging with 5 needle flatlock seaming.
You also need to be aware of who will be able to produce the garments you are designing. An NYC based factory that specializes in constructed jackets, will be a key asset in getting and controlling that fabulous piece you just designed, rather than trying to produce that garment with your novelty knit supplier.
The right contractor for the right garment produces the right results.
[ctt tweet=”The right contractor for the right garment produces the right results. via @MakersRow” coverup=”V3H_2″]
4. Quantity
The amount of items that you are purchasing from a contractor will always affect the price of that garment. The higher the quantity, the less the price. Learning how to produce apparel with your intended aesthetic, fit, finishes, and market level, while simultaneously staying within your price point, are invaluable to a designers success. Following these 4 simple guidelines will help you achieve that success.
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