The Best Way To Start Designing

Answer:  With the one category you like the most. 

While your long-range plans may include a whole collection of items, it's best to start with a single item to establish your name and to keep expenses down.

Why?

When you're just starting out, you lack credibility.  No one knows who you are, much less why they should buy from you.

If you offer them a unique, attractive, quality product at a fair price, they may give you a try.  If they like what you have to offer, they may come back for more and even tell their friends about you.

So your goal, at least initially, is to become “known” for something.  Strive to be number one or number two in your particular category.  If you work towards dominating your niche (market category), you'll gain a solid footing in the marketplace and establish a name for yourself.  Once that's done, you can then branch into other areas.

If you look at some of the most successful designers and apparel companies, you'll see this pattern again and again.  For example:

• Kate Spade started with handbags.  Now she does shoes, small leather goods, and stationery.
  
  
• Ralph Lauren started with ties.  He later moved into menswear, womenswear, perfume, and home decor.
  
  
• Giorgio Armani started with menswear.  He's since gone on to womenswear, perfume, and makeup.
  
  
• Vera Wang started with bridal gowns.  Now she does bridesmaids, eveningwear, and perfume.
  
  
• Salvatore Ferragamo was a shoemaker.  His company now does handbags and clothing as well.

Burberry's, Levi's, Donna Karan, Chanel—if you look around, you'll see this game plan again and again.  Why?  Because it works!  And if it works for large, international companies, it will work for you, too.

So don't bite off more than you can chew in the beginning.  Start small, make a name for yourself, and THEN move on to the other things.  It's a smart way to build a business.

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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 .