designer resources
Stand Out Amidst Tight Spending
This year brings us a growing new challenge: How to stand out amidst the holiday rush in a tight economy. We all know that consumers are still going to buy. But what they buy will be the result of more research and considerable planning.
This was certainly confirmed during Black Friday shopping this year as reported by Mashable.com. The good news was that online retailers saw an average purchase of $170.19, a 35% increase over last year. This report also indicated that online retailers had an average bounce rate 40% higher and browsing sessions 5% lower than last season. This suggests [...]
Should You Make Time for Social Marketing?
Last week I attended a very successful women’s networking group in L.A. sponsored by Bag Lady Promotions. We have written about BLP on the blog before. Laura, the event coordinator and founder does a great job of bringing together some of the smartest and most connected women in L.A. While I was there, I mingled with a few new designers and had the chance to hear their stories…their successes and their challenges.
What I continue to hear over and over again is that making the time for sites like Twitter, Facebook, fashion blogs and social networks is nearly impossible when orders [...]
What Does the CIT Bankruptcy Mean for Indie Designers?
The short answer is…it depends.
If your business has been fortunate enough to do a 1/2 million dollars in sales each year, then you may want to consider another factor for financing your accounts receivables. However, if your line is relatively new and working with smaller accounts, then financing could be a little harder to find.
However, there may still be resources available to help you. Here are some tips:
1) Start Local! Check into an SBA chapter in your local community. These offices are 50% funded by the federal government and 50% funded by the local governments to help stimulate economic growth. [...]
Looking for Hot Holiday Giveaways!
‘Tis the Season…for Style!
Since April, we have had the pleasure of meeting over 100 incredibly talented designers.
Now we are approaching the holiday season, and to say thank you to our amazing designers and readers, we are organizing a holiday giveaway event to benefit everyone.
We are kicking off the holiday season in style with weekly giveaways that showcase your talent as a designer and get the word out about your business.
Our weekly giveaways will be launching soon. As a participating designer,your contest will be advertised on our homepage for a full week with a link to your contest. LDB will promote [...]
6 Tips Toward Success in Fashion Design
Last week, we introduced you to Ken Wengrod the President of FTC, a fashion financing company in Los Angeles that works with contemporary brands such as William Rast/Justin Timberlake, 291 from Venice, Society For Rational Dress, Black Orchid, J. Lindeberg and Sally Hershberger (hair care products).
Our interview was full of such great info that we had to break it up into two posts. Last week Ken shared his thoughts on financing in today’s world of fashion design. (Click here for the full article). In addition to his experience in the start-up and management of large factoring companies, apparel companies and [...]
Opportunity for Emerging Designers in the SE
Charleston Fashion Week® is quickly becoming the place to see and be seen in fashion in the Southeast. Specifically, the emphasis they place on emerging designers is what we love to see! Previous winners of Charleston’s Emerging Designer Contest have seen opportunities on Project Runway and at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NY.
If you’re a designer in the Southeast, we have an amazing opportunity for you to show off your designs on the runway of Charleston Fashion Week®!
Click Here for the Initial Application. The committee will then choose 8 semi-finalists to showcase their designs on March 16, 2010 on the [...]
The New Economy in Luxury Fashion
We are doing our best to keep up on fashion news…specifically as it relates to your pocketbook! But the news hasn’t changed much lately. High-end fashion is adapting to the economic climate in ways it hasn’t before! The avant-garde looks on the runway five years ago were pieces of art that the rich and fashion-forward could occasionally indulge in. But today, they are overshadowed by the simple cross-seasonal designs that the high-end market is playing to. This recent article from the Associated Press describes how a member of the Spring 2010 audience at NY Fashion Week might have just as [...]
FREE 3D Virtual Apparel Seminar
I just learned about a great opportunity to learn more about 3D Technology for the apparel industry from our friends at Fashion Business Inc. This could be a valuable tool to decrease your costs. Has anyone had experience with 3D tech for fashion before? Comment below. I would love to know what you think!
Topics include:
- Virtual Sample Making
-Virtual Merchandising and Sales
- Virtual Fitting Rooms (WOW!)
Dates: Sept 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 (all shows are the same)
Time: 6:30pm
Location: 5527 E. Slauson Ave; Los Angeles, CA 90040
Details: Come prepared to hear all about it. Food and drinks will be served. Please register [...]
Need a blog for your business?
If you’re a boutique owner, designer, photographer, stylist or just a lover of fashion and design you may have thought about starting your own blog to share your new ideas or promote your business. If you’ve thought about it…and that’s about as far as you’ve gone, I have a great resource for you!
When I first got started in the world of blogging and social networking I was incredibly overwhelmed. Do I use Blogger or Wordpress? To link or not to link? What is SEO and why should I care? What do all of these html buttons mean? And then I [...]
Feature Your Line at LA Market Week
Fashion Business Inc is still excepting applications for the Designer Launch Pad we told you about a few weeks ago. But, there are just a few spots left, so don’t miss this opportunity! Submit your line sheets for consideration in their fashion show on October 16th, the first Friday of L.A. Market Week.
I attended their last fashion show in June ‘09 for Ximena Valero (another LDB favorite) with 200 other attendees and it was a huge success.! Ximena’s show was even featured on the cover of Apparel News. This would be an excellent opportunity to show off your talent to [...]
