3rd September 2019
FREE LIVE MASTERCLASS
Free Live Webinar: How to Successfully Launch & Run an Apparel Brand in 6 Simple Steps - A step-by-step guide: from building your foundation to selling your products
28th August 2019
THE IMPORTANCE OF A BILL OF MATERIALS
Don’t start any manufacturing before making a complete Bills Of Materials. You need it together with a solid tech pack for each and every garment.
26th August 2019
FINDING YOUR FASHION BRAND NICHE – IN 7 EASY STEPS (2019)
The fashion industry is a 3 trillion dollar industry. This means huge opportunities for both existing brands and newcomers. To get off the ground properly, startups need to place themselves in a fairly small niche, where their target customers are, and where there is a healthy amount of competition. By doing this, startups increase their chances of growth.
19th August 2019
ATTRIBUTES OF A RELEVANT & THRIVING APPAREL BRAND
Clothing brands need to take a fresh look at all components of the business to stay relevant 2019.
9th August 2019
WHAT IS A TECH PACK & WHY DO YOU NEED IT?
A builder would never build a house without a blueprint, this is exactly the same thing for a garment. The manufacturers need to know what you have in mind, what the garment looks like front and back incl details, what materials you have in mind, what trims you want on your garment and what type of fit it should have.
1st August 2019
QUALITY CONTROL
Quality control means ensuring, at a minimum cost, that the quality requirements of a product is being achieved at every stage of manufacturing, from raw materials to boxed stock.
25th July 2019
WHAT YOU NEED TO START & RUN YOUR APPAREL BRAND
10 years ago we started our first apparel brand. Even though we had experience from working in the apparel industry, it was a challenge getting a good grip of starting up a business. Then the big question: how do we do this? Now we've made it easier for you to start and run an apparel brand.
24th July 2019
TIPS FOR BOOTSTRAPPING YOUR STARTUP
Starting a new apparel brand can be challenging. It is even more challenging to do it with limited funds. However this is a reality many of you are facing, but you don’t want it to stop your plans. So how are your money best spent? What should you pay for and where can you save your money? Read our guide
19th July 2019
FREE SEMINAR IN NEW YORK
Ana from Apparel Entrepreneurship will present the free seminar How To Optimize Your Brand For Growth at the Functional Fabric Fair in New York, July 22nd.
16th July 2019
HOW TO CREATE A MOOD BOARD
A mood board is a visual summary of inspirational images, objects, material swatches, trims or product examples that explain the concept and feeling of your brand, collection or customer. Basically a brain dump of whatever you are inspired by.
6th July 2019
MARKETING TACTICS FOR APPAREL BRANDS – FREE E-BOOK
Download this free e-book to get loads of tips on how to market your clothing brand and get true, authentic and long-lasting relationships with your customers.
3rd July 2019
9 STEPS TO BECOME A SUSTAINABLE APPAREL BRAND
Sustainability in the apparel business is not a trend anymore. The clothing industry is the 3rd most polluting industry after the meat and the oil industry. We can’t go back and undo the harm, but we can make things better now, and in the near future, by deciding. We want to make a change, we want to make as little
25th June 2019
USE A PRODUCT RANGE PLAN FOR YOUR APPAREL BRAND
A product range plan is a detailed written overview of your entire collection. It helps you keep track of product parameters such as style numbers and names, number of styles, colors, variations, and features. It also includes financial information and sales forecasting.
11th June 2019
HOW TO DEFINE YOUR CUSTOMER
By identifying your target customer for your apparel brand, it will be easier to design, strategize your segments and develop an effective marketing plan.
4th June 2019
HOW TO DESIGN WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO DRAW
We have received some questions about this topic and we feel the need to address it. The question is: Do I need to know how to draw to start a clothing brand? The short direct answer is No, you can start and run a successful brand without knowing how to draw. Here are our thoughts on this and a couple
4th June 2019
FASHION TRADE SHOWS AND SOURCING FAIRS 2019 (-2020)
A list of international trade shows divided into 2 segments: Material sourcing - fabrics and trims & Exhibiting fairs - where you can exhibit and sell your brand
27th May 2019
LIVE Q&A
We are having a Live Question & Answers session. Send us your questions and join us on Thursday.
27th May 2019
WHY YOU SHOULD USE TERMS OF AGREEMENT
When you have found suppliers and manufacturers to work with, we recommend that you write an agreement with them. Not just emails, but a signed contract. What you need is TOA, or Terms Of Agreement. This is a contract between you and the supplier or manufacturer that clearly states what both of you should deliver and what the expectations are.
22nd May 2019
HOW TO DESIGN USING CROQUIS TEMPLATES
Video Showing You How To Design Using Croquis Templates
7th May 2019
THE APPAREL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PODCAST
Today is the start of The Apparel Entrepreneurship Podcast! On each episode of The Apparel Entrepreneurship Podcast, we will discuss hands-on tactics touching on all areas involved in running and growing a meaningful, successful apparel brand. Learn practical strategies about sustainability, design, product range planning, marketing, sales, community growth, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship. You’ll also hear inspiring interviews with apparel industry
2nd May 2019
LECTURE – OPTIMIZING YOUR BRAND FOR GROWTH IN 2019
Apparel Entrepreneurship Lecture at Performance Days Munich - Optimizing Your Brand For Growth In 2019
29th April 2019
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN LAUNCHING AN APPAREL BRAND
You have a great idea and a vision of what you want to do with your brand. If you haven’t been in the game before, it is difficult to know what to expect. It is going to be the best journey of your life, but to make it less stressful, we suggest you take a look at your expectations. Disappointment
11th April 2019
WHAT IS A LINE SHEET AND WHY DO YOU NEED ONE?
If your business model includes retail, you will eventually have to present your collection to buyers, for wholesale purposes. The buyers will need all the product information necessary, to place an order.
8th April 2019
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR PRODUCT PRICE
Your product price is directly related to your market position, your target customer, and your profits. The price should fit in your product range strategy and allow the margin you desire. To create a proper collection plan and to be able to make strategic decisions for your business, you need to calculate your product price early on in your product
4th April 2019
FIND OVER 280 SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS
A common challenge for clothing brands is to find material suppliers that can provide fabrics and accessories, exact matching their needs. As most modern brands also have an environmental strategy, it can be a time-consuming process to find the right materials. To make it easier for you we have added over 280 new suppliers worldwide to the searchable database in
2nd April 2019
HERE IS THE TOOL YOU NEED FOR GREAT RESULTS
As an apparel entrepreneur you need to be on top of your financials and already from the start keep track of your costs. If you are not in control of your numbers, you’ll soon find yourself out of business. Since your apparel is the core of your business, and product development such a big part of your operations you need
29th March 2019
READ THIS BEFORE STARTING A CLOTHING LINE (LESSONS LEARNED)
Encountering problems and making mistakes is part of running an apparel business. Are there any lessons learned from the mistakes made? For everyone who is about to, or already run a clothing brand, we have made it a bit easier for you. We have put together a list of 37 common mistakes, and what you can do to avoid them
27th March 2019
ORGANIC COTTON 101
Cotton plays a big part in every human's life. We wear it, we dry ourselves with it, we sleep on it, we even walk on it, and our kids may play with it. In this article, we explain what organic cotton is, why you should use it, and how to find it.
26th March 2019
HOW TO SET YOUR STYLE NUMBERS
When you are designing your collection, you need to assign style numbers to each design. The style numbers will help you to better communicate with your retailers, agents, distributors, suppliers, pattern makers, and everyone else you are working with. Here is a style number system for you to use.
15th March 2019
HOW TO DESIGN YOUR CLOTHING LINE
When running an apparel brand, clothing design is the core of your business. Designing your clothing line can be challenging. There are many aspects to think of to make it stand out in a crowded fashion market. You want to create clothes that represent your point of view as a designer, at the same time as the collection sells. To
11th March 2019
SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION GUIDE
The Apparel Entrepreneurship guide to textile certifications and standards for sustainability. There are many certifications and standard out there helping us consider the environment and ethical work environments. Read up on the certifications organizations in this guide and determine which are important to you and your brand.
7th March 2019
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FASHION
The apparel industry has a significant impact on the environment. Fashion is a 3 trillion dollar industry, and it is continuously growing. Unfortunately so is the environmental impact. We should all ask us the questions: what do we want to do & what can we do about the harm caused by our industry. To be able to take action, we
4th March 2019
14 WAYS TO SECURE MORE WHOLESALE ORDERS FOR YOUR APPAREL BRAND
Here are 14 points to work on, and to make sure you have ticked off, before contacting buyers, for a sales presentation.
27th February 2019
33 WAYS TO GROW YOUR APPAREL BRAND IN 2019
Small brands, medium-sized brands, and big brands all have one thing in common: they want to grow. This is a list of 33 ways to grow an apparel brand divided into 3 sections: Entrepreneurship, Collection & Products, and Marketing & Sales. Addressing all the points at the same time would be extremely ambitious, but even the smallest improvements, can
4th February 2019
33 STEPS TO BUILD A GREAT ONLINE STORE
Selling online means you need to have an online shop. Whether it is your main selling channel or not, you want to create the best customer experience possible, that maximizes your online sales. How can you make your apparel online store as great as possible? We have put together 33 points that will dramatically increase your chances of creating returning,
28th January 2019
FIND A GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Are you looking for a graphic designer? Do you need help with logo design, your graphical profile, prints, hand-outs, or t-shirt and hoodie designs? Then 99designs can be an option for you. They allow you to find and work with talented freelance designers online, worldwide.
25th January 2019
FASHION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PODCAST TIPS
A curated list of podcasts we recommend, that we think you will enjoy, divided in 3 categories: Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Fashion.
23rd January 2019
MARKETING TACTICS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BRAND SUCCEED IN 2019 [PART 3(3)]
Offline marketing refers to activities that are not directly dependent on computers and mobile devices. Here you find the more traditional tactics. However, these can still be very effective and help you succeed with your brand.
22nd January 2019
MARKETING TACTICS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BRAND SUCCEED IN 2019 [PART 2(3)]
Online marketing is as it sounds, every bit of marketing you do online - computer, mobile, and devices. Nowadays, this is where you should spend most of your focus. Read about online marketing tactics that will make your brand succeed in 2019.
21st January 2019
MARKETING TACTICS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BRAND SUCCEED IN 2019 [PART 1(3)]
The global apparel market is valued at $1.39 trillion and in 2020 the market is projected to grow to $1.65 trillion. What do these numbers say: HUGE opportunities for everyone in this industry (if you know how to tap into the opportunities and possibilities out there). Learn about marketing tactics for your clothing brand in 2019.
17th January 2019
WHO DO YOU NEED ON YOUR TEAM?
When you have a clear vision of what the brand should be about and who your ideal customer is, you need to figure out how you’re going to do it and the size of it all. If you’re the creative type, you’ll probably focus on the product and everything related to it—but of course the other side needs attention too:
17th January 2019
ISPO MUNICH 2019 – THE WORLD’S LARGEST SPORTS EXHIBITION
14th January 2019
CONTEST – WIN THE APPAREL ENTREPRENEURSHIP E-BOOK
Enter the contest to win the Apparel Entrepreneurship E-Book.
27th November 2018
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO RUNNING AN APPAREL BRAND
14th November 2018
23 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING AN APPAREL BRAND
You will be your own boss, no one will be there to make sure you put in the work and stick to your deadlines. You will live your brand, working 24/7. Focus on your dream, your vision and mission of the brand don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. Here are some questions that can help you see
6th November 2018
HOW TO GET YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION GOING
Where do you find your inspiration? Here is an answer plus hopefully some inspiration to the ones who want to get inspired.
30th October 2018
STAND OUT – DIFFERENTIATE YOUR BRAND FROM THE COMPETITION
The market is crowded out there and it’s vital that you differentiate your brand and stick out. Too many waste their energy checking out their competition. This can be a good thing in moderation, mostly to see what you should NOT do. When a company does their thing and you end up copying their selection, product, marketing strategy whatever, you
21st October 2018
FREE FABRIC SWATCHES & NO MINIMUM ORDERS
SwatchOn is an online fabric supplier from Korea with a selection of over 100.000 fabrics. To fully feel the selected swatches, they send you them for free. They have no minimum order quantity.
12th October 2018
FABRIC SCHOOL
Fabrics are a very big part or your business and your brand’s story. Fabrics are what your products are made of and therefore a huge opportunity for you to differentiate your brand from the competition. By working with suppliers and mills directly you can make your own special fabrics that don’t exist anywhere else. To learn about fabrics and to