Hi there all. I have no idea how to go about being a “fashion designer” but i do have some things I’d like to have made. Whats to keep whoever I take my drawings to from stealing my ideas? I thought I’d have like 3 sizes of one style of dress and maybe a couple of tops made and sell them in my friends store.just as an example. i have a sewing machine and even a serger but im a little uncomfortable with both. what i see in my head im much too unskilled to create.
I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this. thanks so much!
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Given that clothing design, construction, and sales are all very complex, very different processes, and all are very risky financially, protecting your designs is probably one of the last things you need to worry about at this point. Even if the person constructing your garments stole your ideas, it wouldn't hurt you unless he/she offered them for sale at a lower price in a shop that competes directly with your friend's shop.
Instead, you need to research fully all the aspects of clothing production and its costs. In our area, to get someone to draft patterns from a sketch, buy the fabrics and make three sizes of one dress and some tops would cost a minimum of $700, and you would probably need to split profits with the store owner as well. If all the samples sold quickly, you might make little or no profit, and if they happened not to sell, you'd lose your entire investment of time and money.
Even if you had a lot of drafting and sewing skills and did all the work yourself, you still might find that it's a very expensive and risky project. If you want to do it as a hobby, you might want to consider teaming up with someone with drafting and sewing skills who would be willing to work with you on bringing your ideas to the market.
Thanks for your reply. thats helped me alot. but...ugh! there must be a way to do it. im giving much thought to putting myself out there as a stylist also. young people in my city (im 32) need serious help and i love fashion and i know i could affect my particular scene.i just want to be able to make a living doing what im best at. dont we all ha ha.
anyhoo, thanks for the advice
Have you considered working for a major retailer as a personal shopper? It sounds as if you have the eye for it!
I wonder how youd go about such a thing. thats an awesome idea though. I will try to learn more about it. I guess I could go over to the Saks and see if they have any.
Hi. It wouldn't hurt to take Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising at an accredited school. That way, towards the end of the school year, you will have produced a collection, and you get to showcase your creations at your graduation fashion show. Also, the fashion school is one of the best places to meet someone who might be interested in teaming up with you, and he/she would already have the skills (designing, patternmaking and sewing) that you have already acquired. You have the basic equipments, and it wouldn't hurt to add dressform(s), industrial iron, etc. to name a few to your list. And keep your Threads subscription! I'm a recent Fashion Design graduate, but there are tons of stuff I wasn't taught in school - things that I learned on my own, things that I learned from Threads. Don't worry about someone else stealing your design ideas. A lot of renowned designers's designs have been copied and revised. As most designers say, it's all about the fabric, anyways. Good luck.
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