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 10th, 2015
I began Brooklyn Tweed as a blog for knitters and wool-lovers after my relocation to New York City in 2005. I never dreamed it would grow…
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 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 23rd, 2015
There are a lot of “hardest parts” about getting an apparel business off the ground. A lot. Arguably, the single most challenging…
February 19th, 2015
During the depths of the winter, come thoughts of summer, sand and sun. Right after the holidays, swim line development should be starting….
February 16th, 2015
Before I’m a designer, I’m an artisan in love with the traditions, heritage, tools and artistry of a craft that goes back centuries. In many ways, Slightly Alabama’s designs are a…
February 14th, 2015
There are hundreds of ‘How-To’ articles out there, from starting a collection, to succeeding as a designer, to growing your…
February 12th, 2015
Black History Month is an opportune time for me to reflect on the contributions from the…
February 11th, 2015
If you want to know when the fashion industry first became digitalized, think Donna Karan. In early 2007 fashion editors around the world…
January 29th, 2015
It’s been a little over two years since we launched Mizzen+Main with the goal of becoming the next great American brand. I get asked a lot of questions about starting a company, about bringing…
January 28th, 2015
I’m a former buyer turned buying and brand consultant. I’ve been emailed, visited at work by eager brands, and stalked on social media….
January 17th, 2015
My parents were entrepreneurs, so I thought I knew exactly what to expect — operations, budgeting, sourcing and so on. The difference…
January 13th, 2015
A few months ago, Avantūr was nothing more than an idea. Two friends with a passion for design and a desire to create. Today, Avantūr is…
December 29th, 2014
As a designer, it’s easy to get hyper-focused on the creative side of your brand. Where is this pocket going to go? What weight…
November 18th, 2014
On Maker’s Row, factories are categorized into 5 segments: Ideation, Pattern-Making, Materials, Sample Making and Production. Just as the term ‘factories’ categorizes many different…
November 13th, 2014
Just like relationships with your customers, the relationship you have with your manufacturer can make or break your company. A strong…
November 6th, 2014
The fashion industry is notoriously cutthroat and competitive. From magazines to emerging designers, popular media sells us the picture of…
October 30th, 2014
Being veterans of numerous trade shows across several different industries, venues, and continents, we have run the gamut of experiences. From unexpected success, to grand disappointment, we have…
July 30th, 2014
dog·ged1 [daw-gid, dog-id] adjective: persistent in effort; stubbornly tenacious: a…
July 29th, 2014
If you are new to the garment industry or having trouble with continued development of…
July 27th, 2014
The world of apparel design is never simple and, more often than not, it requires years…
July 26th, 2014
Making a sample is an essential first step for each season, and is generally doable even with limited resources. However, taking that…
July 25th, 2014
“Time flies when you’re having fun!” The old saying held true for the Maker’s Row team this week at Texworld USA 2014. This was our…