Setting up and running your own fashion label- helpful tips from StitchLand [Part 1]

Today we are starting a series of blog posts about setting up and running your own fashion label. It is not a course and therefore won't teach you everything you need to know but we'll touch a few subjects and you might just find certain bits and bobs of information that may prove helpful if you plan or are in a process of setting up your own label. 

StitchLand London, UK - Pattern cutting, sampling and clothing manufacturing 

It is rather frequent that creative fashion designers with very little business knowledge start up their own labels. Sadly, setting up a fashion label is not only about the creative flair of the designer. A fashion label is not just art, it is a business. And for a business to be successful simply producing an attractive product isn't enough. However, a fashion label which is set up by someone with great knowledge in business yet no creative flair or a designer in place wouldn't work either. 

We hope the 'Setting up and running your own fashion label- helpful tips from StitchLand' series in our blog will be at least a little bit helpful!

We shall start with the very basics. 

Break down of the fashion market

Haute Couture

The direct translation of Haute Couture would be 'high sewing'. Haute Couture pieces are exclusive, made-to-measure and sewn by hand. Haute Couture garments are one-off, perfect fitting and finished with attention to even the tiniest of details. With such exclusivity and luxurious fabrics comes a price tag that is unaffordable for many. 

Considering being a couturier?

Legally, a design house can only identify itself as an Haute Couture label if it adheres to the strict requirements of the French Ministry of Industry and the Fédération Française de la Couture. First, a designer must create made-to-measure clothing for private clients and offer personal fittings. They must also have a full-time workshop in Paris that employs no fewer than twenty staff. Finally, the fashion house must present two collections a year - in January and July - comprising both daytime and formal evening wear. [source:http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG10147014/Haute-Couture-fact-file.html]

StitchLand London, UK - Pattern cutting, sampling and clothing manufacturing 

Prêt-à-Porter

Prêt-à-Porter is also known as 'ready to wear'. These are designer collections that are not made to measure (use standard sizing) and are simply ready to wear. They're manufactured using machinery rather than sewn by hand as Haute Couture. Prêt-à-Porter is also a lot more affordable than Haute Couture, however the prices are still a lot higher than High Street clothing.

High street or mass production

High street or mass production clothing is significantly more affordable. Manufactured around the world in set sizing and large quantities. It is not exclusive and often designed by in-house designers following current trends and (more often than not) copying current designer collections to a certain extent.