Visit this fashion design career blog to get real life, up to the minute insights from a young designer who likes to share tips and experiences from her own life and other design professionals. It's the perfect blog for fashion design entrepreneurs.
Contents:
Start a Fashion Line & Get Noticed - 3 Quick Tips!
Ok, so whats the deal with breaking into the fashion design business? My good friend Minna Kao is definitely getting the press to notice her designs. Shes been reviewed in so many fashion articles as someone to lookout for in the bridal scene. Shes a designer in NYC who is super talented. Her label is MinnaK. She designs the most beautiful evening gowns and she does this all while working a full-time job in fashion as a Production Associate for a major corporation.
Minna shares a few tips with you that you can use to start your own fashion line and propel your career!
1) Finding Your Target Audience
Go to the stores that you think your customers go to and research price points, style, what's in (not the sales rack), and the color scheme.
2) Cutting Costs
Start by silk-screening t-shirts or making things from your home. If it looks professional, no one would know it came from the garage, and you can possibly find backers to help support your love of design. The internet is an economical way to spread the word, and the most popular. It is extremely saturated, but research all the social networks, and put yourself out there.
3) Designing and Promoting Your Biz while Working Full-Time
It is extremely difficult to work full time AND come home and work. When I have an idea, I need the mental space to conceptualize it so, I've created a schedule for myself in order to stay disciplined. I love designing. I won't ever stop, so for me, it's worth those extra hours to do what I love until I can do it full time.
In addition, I find inspiration in the strength of women and children, so I want my love of design to generate money so that I can return it to my favorite organization - Foundation For International Medical Relief of Children.
*Minna Kao pictured in the center with two models wearing her gowns.
Fashion and Health- 15th Day Master Cleanse
What a journey! Fashion and health really does go hand in hand. Now I'm ready to eat again. 15 days of the Master Cleanse is such a wonderful detox. I got rid of a lot of toxins. Now it's time to re-build with super nutrition and enjoy eating again. Wow, I wonder how my first complete whole meal will taste?
Staying focused and determined was key and not giving into cravings. This type of discipline is great for improvement in other areas of life such as running your own business. There's a feeling of confidence and clarity that shined through towards my last week of this detox.
This short video shows you how easy it is to have the Master Cleanse ingredients on the go! There's no excuse for not detoxing periodically. You might just love the experience.
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Fashion and Health-10th Day Master Cleanse
Check out inspiration for a 10 day Master Cleanse. Congrats!!! I've completed the minimum time period for the Master Cleanse. Ten days of no solid food, only the lemonade drink. If I can do it, you can too!
I've decided to extend my cleansing for a few more days longer though, to improve upon what I've started, a deep cleansing. I am on a journey to make sure that my outside fabulous self really does match my inside fabulous self!
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Throughout Your Day I have a question for you. Does anyone repeat affirmations or declarations as you go about your normal day or even on weekends? I find it fun to keep reminding myself of a few key affirmations while I'm working or even while commuting to work. It reminds me that I'm really in charge of my life. Even when hit with a challenge while working, repeating affirmations helps me get through them. How about you?
Hope that you are having a wonderful summer! Here's a quick video that I'd like to share about looking good and feeling good.
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Getting lots of sleep at night has proven to be really beneficial for me and is one of the ways that I have good energy the next day. Juggling a full-time job and a business, it's easy and enticing to stay up all night to work on your own entreprenurial endeavors. I must say that I've learned the hard way. If I consistently do late nighters, I feel worn out. I can do one late night a week but more than one late night per week is asking for big trouble down the road!
So what's the solution?
When I go to bed before 11:00PM I wake up earlier with good energy in the morning and I have the time to devote an hour or so to the business. It's much better than staying up late and feeling tired the next day.
Having dinner before 8:00PM and not going to bed with a full stomach and also going to bed before 11:00PM are two main things that I struggled with last year but, I am definitely making them a priority this year. I've learned to eat a lighter meal at night and have lunch as the main meal since this is when our digestive systems are at the highest. It's all about adjusting our schedules. When we make something a routine for a few days it becomes a habit. These are two habits that I'm looking forward to keeping.
Are you an entreprenuer and work full-time? How do you spend your evenings after work?
I've definitely been out of the blogging world for the past three months and have truly missed it. Now that I have a few days off. I just wanted to let you know what's been going on. My freelance fashion job has hired me full-time and my business, http://www.newyorkaccents.com has been really picking up so, I haven't been posting as often as I would like.
Now's a good time to post and wish everyone who visits a Happy New Year. The one thing that I would truly love to do more consistently in 2010 is to publish more posts. I do have a lot to share with you regarding being an entreprenuer and a full-time employee in the fashion industry. So much is going on which is a very good thing.
Time Management for Entreprenuers
Time management can be tricky while freelancing and working a business. As you can see, I have not posted in a while! I've found that making sure that I do at least one or two major tasks for my business each day continues the flow of operations and keeps me in track with my goals.
Now, I just have to allot time for new posts! There's so much information to share. I'll post again soon.
If you are working and running your own business as well, please share your experience of what works and what doesn't in managing your time.
Handbag Fashion Exhibit
For handbag enthusiasts and designers, the Museum of Design in Atlanta currently has an exhibit entitled, "In the Bag". This exhibit describes the makings of handbags, the history and showcases handbags from leading designers.
This exhibit ends May 2, 2009 so catch it while you can.
New Economy-Fashion Resume and Interview Tips
If you are looking for fashion related resume and interview tips in this new economy, 24 Seven, a major job placement agency for the fashion industry has just published this very in depth and detailed pamphlet titled, "Confessions of A Recruiter, Insider tips on what it takes to land a job". It gives resume writing tips, interview tips with ways to follow up, and tips on how to work with a recruiter at an agency. It's definitely worth the read.
I haven't posted in a month. I knew that it was a while ago but, I did not realize that it has been this long. What have I been up to? Well juggling my business and freelancing in the fashion industry up until early February. My freelance job ended and I've been focusing on the business full-time. It's great because, the business has been good since December. I'm excited to be giving my 100% focus to my dream and goal. I love designing fashion accessories, costing my product, shipping to my customers and following up with them.
What happens when you put your full time and energy into a dream? I think, ultimate achievement and happiness. This is when you can be yourself all of the time and let your true talents shine. When I was freelancing I felt guilty about not putting enough time and energy into my business.
The snake necklace that I offer has been doing extremely well so now, I'm offering it in two sizes. I'm also excited because, I now offer it in black which is my favorite. I did not design this necklace but, I absolutely love it. You can also wear it as a bracelet. It's a fun piece to own.
I'll keep you posted on what's going on with New York Accents business wise this year and of course, I'll interview associates in the industry and post about other topics of interest regarding a design career.
Show Your Apparel Collection Next Month This just in, DC Fashion Week has spots open for 3 more fashion designers for the 10th International Couture Collections Show on February 22, 2009.
Here's the link for more info and to apply. The original deadline was January 5th but, there are still spots open. If you have a line ready to show, click this link to sign up!
Dreams and Passion
Hope that your new year is off to a spectacular start!
I'd like to share this video, as a reminder to live your passion. As artists, we're need to share our work with the world. Your work will touch those who you're supposed to connect with.
Tomorrow is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's. birthday. Talk about passion and determination, this man had it all. Hope that this song is a good reminder that we all have a role to play in this life and to never let go of your dream.
Happy New Year May you reach all of your goals and desires this year. Challenges may arise but they are only opportunities to grow stronger and advance.
