June 3rd, 2015
Figuring out the cost of production can be tricky. However, with this guide, we break down how to figure out how much to budget for your production. How much is it going to cost to…
June 2nd, 2015
Transforming your design from a sketch to a sample can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be a challenging part of the process. This…
June 1st, 2015
You’ll spend countless hours working alongside your manufacturer. But like any…
May 28th, 2015
Lingerie design is a whole philosophy in itself. This article will help anyone interested in starting a lingerie brand understand some…
May 27th, 2015
I left the world of early stage tech to launch Heath Paine, a brand that takes fabric innovations from activewear to classic styles…
May 25th, 2015
Independent showrooms are an important part of the fashion business. Most designers…
May 21st, 2015
One of the very first steps we take with any of our clients is to go through a costing exercise. We know this is not the most glamorous or…
May 20th, 2015
Most entrepreneurs are familiar with (and have possibly used) crowdfunding sites like…
May 12th, 2015
For the past 4 years, I’ve been working as a fit model in New York City. What is a fit…
May 8th, 2015
Join our blog mailing list to receive a new post in your inbox each day! When it comes to getting found on the Web, content is king—if…
May 1st, 2015
At this very moment, a fabric supplier at 347 W. 36th Street is breaking down metal racks, preparing for their move to Queens near JFK…
April 30th, 2015
Apparel production is an intimidating industry to dive into. One of the toughest obstacles is learning the lingo. To help you out, we’ve…
April 27th, 2015
So, you’ve come up with a great product idea, something people need, or will be excited to buy. In this super-saturated market of makers,…
April 25th, 2015
Hands On Volume 9 took us to Plain Stitches in Lancaster PA, 75 miles west of Philadelphia in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. We…
April 6th, 2015
The retail industry is an ever-changing market and as a manufacturer you have to stay on top of what’s happening in your niche. The…
April 3rd, 2015
I was only 25 when I opened my retail store in Chicago selling my womenswear collection. I designed everything in the boutique and had it…
April 2nd, 2015
Starting a successful clothing brand can be done. But does it take a disruptive idea or…
March 31st, 2015
As a new business owner, and self-funded as most of us are, it makes a lot of sense to keep your marketing costs low. Social media is a…
March 20th, 2015
When Jasmine and I decided to launch Marielle|Ejiama, we knew that we had a lot of…
March 19th, 2015
The fashion and apparel business has a ton of moving parts. 1/8” error on a pattern can throw the fit of a garment off and ruin an entire…
March 18th, 2015
Branding involves relaying a consistent message across all of your channels of communication with your target audience. This message should…
March 17th, 2015
The apparel and fashion industry is constantly changing. The entire industry is based on…
March 16th, 2015
The Burks & Bailey story was born in rural town Tuskegee, Alabama–home to curators,…
March 11th, 2015
So you’ve got your business plan, product concepts, and maybe even final samples. Do you ever ask yourself, who is actually doing the…
March 8th, 2015
The American manufacturing sector is one of the biggest contributors to job growth (nearly 700,000 added since 2010), research and develop, and is essential to maintaing a thriving and competitive…
March 7th, 2015
Making physical things is hard. Plenty can and will go wrong, so it’s crucial to stay…
March 5th, 2015
T-shirts are durable, classic, and versatile garments with mass appeal as a staple closet item. The life of a T-Shirt begins in cotton…
March 4th, 2015
Retail is an industry driven by results. There isn’t a magic formula, especially since consumer wants and needs change constantly. While…
March 2nd, 2015
As a new designer and business owner, it can be challenging to get all the aspects of your creative, production, and business processes in…
February 24th, 2015
“Should I sell to department stores or boutiques?” This is a common question design entrepreneurs ask. The argument is strong for both…
February 22nd, 2015
MAGIC is the world’s largest fashion marketplace, comprised of ten unique communities showcasing the latest in apparel, footwear,…