Common Misconceptions
about Marketing Your Designs

What are the biggest misconceptions about marketing you fashion designs?

Given the many questions I’ve received by email over the years, from aspiring designers of all ages, I’d say the top three biggest issues I’ve seen include:

1.  Underestimating What You Need To Know

“I have tons of drawings that my friends and family rave about.  Where can I send them to see if they will sell?”

H-o-o-o-ld on there!  Illustrating your ideas is just the first step in designing clothes.  What fabrics and trimmings will you use?  Have you made the pattern?  What are the construction details?  Could a seamstress with basic skills reproduce the garment from your  instructions? How much does it cost to produce each garment?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you're not ready to approach anyone with your drawings.

2.  Being Too Trusting With Your Designs

“Can I send you copies of my drawings?  I'd like to know your opinion.”

While copying others’ designs has been a part of the industry since its inception, don't make it easier for someone than it is.  While you can't copyright the cut of a garment, original textile prints, patterns, and graphics designs (even when incorporated into a garment) CAN be copyrighted by registering the work with the U.S. Copyright Office of the Library of Congress (check with the appropriate agency in your country if you don’t live in the United States).

So don't be so free and easy with your designs.  Use them in your portfolio or to show prospective clients, but supervise who and for how long someone sees your materials until they buy them. Don't release them to some unknown entity and just expect them to do right by you, because they probably won't.  Protect your intellectual property and get fair market value for all of your work.

3.  Not Being Professional

“I wont 2 dezine but my paronts laff at me.” (Actual email I received)

Well honey, they aren't the only ones laughing.  Did you cut English class, or did you just turn off the spell checker because it kept  highlighting every other word?

If you want to be taken seriously in this field or any other, you need to show some professionalism--which in this case means communicating effectively.  If I were a prospective buyer, client, or employer, and you sent me something with this many spelling and grammatical errors, I'd chuckle and promptly throw it in the trash.  You don't have to be Hemmingway, but a basic understanding of the written word IS required. 

In this business in particular, first impressions DO count—even if it's only written correspondence.  Remember that.

All in all, these are the biggest issues I keep encountering come from people “jumping the gun” to get started.  While there's certainly nothing wrong with being excited about your future in fashion, you need to slow down a little and properly prepare for what's to come.

You aren't ready to perform surgery a week after you get to medical school, you don't get to Carnegie Hall after three piano lessons, and you don't make it into the big leagues of fashion without learning what it takes to design and manufacture clothes.  Slow down a little and learn your craft.  You'll substantially increase your chances for success.

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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a fashion writer and image consultant and a contributing author to FabJob’s Guide to "Become A Fashion Designer.”  You can visit her online at FashionJobReview.com .