It's been said that fashion revolves after a cycle of twenty years but it seems to be revolving a lot faster than the duration predicted. I remember doing fashion shows at functions and clubs in the 80s. Though its the millennium now, some of my fashion designer friends also started out that way back in the 90s. Eager to get their creations showcased to the public at any chance they can get without having to pay for a proper trunk show. That seems to be the few 'first steps' into getting your collection into the public eye literally but now we have blogs. Though the latter is still being used till this day, it creates a platform to network and become fashion-savvy with the new designs presented today.
Through blogs or community websites like facebook, myspace and alike are good networking tools to keep your friends in touch with an event or a party or a birthday or even a group that you might be acquanited to. I found myself attending fashion related events through blogs and facebook. It was well attended by people of the same interest though some of the attendees were there for other reasons besides being labeled a fashionistas.
Fashion flea-markets were also organised and announced through blogs or facebook. It generated sales for the fashion-wannabes to sell their creativity and motivates them to bring more items to sell. Though I must say that if you're not into bargain hunting, you might want to miss this and maybe someone will soon come out with a private sale for really branded items that are either samples or knock-offs. This private sale would strictly be for the truly fashionistas that want exclusivity and would pay good money for. Maybe I should dwell deeper into this myself.
But coming back to the launching of your label, you need to research and test the market of what the responses you'd get to understand who are your customers. Ofcourse if you collection is positioned to the middle to high income group, you still need to select carefully the kind of event that you'd want to showcase your clothes or designs to. If the club or event is of high calibre that targets to the income group that you're targeting, then it'd be a good partnership. Explore further on the publicity that you'll get from this partnership, explore the possibilities of new customers that you could pick up and most of all explore the first hand response and feedback that you'd get from this event. You have to be your own PR and marketing person to generate awareness of your label unless you have a rich daddy, hire a good and experienced consultant that can cover both marketing and PR for you.
I happen to be in that field and have had the experience with two renowed Malaysian fashion designers that are of international status. If you're interested to know more about what I do, please email me at alison@clarity.com.my or alrod1965@gmail.com for a private consult.
Back to the clubbing and blogging. I find blogging a fantastic way to connect with people who might or might not be interested in what I have to share but I know that eventually I will have feedback or comments be it positive or negative. At least it's getting attention.
Be in the know as much as you can so that you can generate new ideas, create new designs or devise a good marketing or promotional campaign to sell your goods. The times are down but it's the time to seize opportunities though retail is slow. Not everyone has stopped shopping, its just how they shop has changed so you need to feel them out and know what's happening around you and also find out what your competitors are doing.
Happy blogging or clubbing.....don't be lazy......get creative!
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