AEP065 - 13 HUGE Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A Clothing Brand

In this episode of The Apparel Entrepreneurship, Ana & Klas interview Pascale Moreau, Founder and Managing Director of Ohana Public Affairs, and discuss the importance of understanding and complying with the upcoming legislation and regulations in the textile industry. The industry is experiencing a shift towards sustainability and circularity, and brands need to be prepared for the changes. There is a need for companies to gather data and implement traceability strategies to comply with the eco-design legislation. You will also learn about the digital product passport, which will serve as a tool to capture and showcase product compliance. Brands must start with eco-design and forced labor legislations as key priorities. The conversation explores the impact of upcoming legislation on the fashion industry, focusing on sustainability and circularity. The discussion covers the need for brands to comply with the legislation and the challenges they may face in implementing the required changes, as well as the importance of education and consumer behavior change in driving sustainability. The conversation highlights the opportunities for innovation and differentiation that the legislation presents. This episode provides resources for brands to find more information and support in navigating the new regulations. Takeaways ✅ The textile industry is undergoing a shift towards sustainability and circularity, and brands need to be prepared for the upcoming legislation and regulations. ✅ Compliance with the eco-design legislation is crucial, as it sets requirements for product performance and environmental impact reduction. ✅ The digital product passport will serve as a tool to capture and showcase product compliance, and brands need to invest in IT systems and traceability strategies. ✅ Certifications and data gathering will be important for compliance, and non-compliance can result in fines, withdrawal of products from the market, and restrictions on business opportunities. Brands should prioritize eco-design and transparent communication/content and start gathering the necessary data to ensure compliance. Brands in the fashion industry need to comply with upcoming legislation on sustainability and circularity. ✅ Education and consumer behavior change are crucial in driving sustainability. ✅ The legislation presents opportunities for innovation and differentiation. Resources like industry associations and blogs can give guidance and support for brands navigating the new regulations. Links Ohana Public Affairs: https://www.ohanapublicaffairs.eu/ EOG: https://www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/ Sustainable Apparel Coalition - Cascale: https://cascale.org/ 🔥 RESOURCES WE CREATED FOR YOU! ⚡️💻 6-Step Clothing Brand Startup Course - To 6 Figures And Beyond https://academy.apparelentrepreneurship.com/step/clothing-brand-startup-course/ ⚡️💻 The Apparel Entrepreneurship Members’ Club - Tools, Resources & Community https://memberzone.apparelentrepreneurship.com/membership/ ⚡️💻 How To Write A Business Plan Workshop https://academy.apparelentrepreneurship.com/step/business-plan-workshop/ ⚡️💻 Find Your Brand Niche & Unique Value Proposition https://academy.apparelentrepreneurship.com/step/find-your-brand-niche/ ⚡️💻 Apparel Entrepreneurship Tools & Templates https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/shop/ ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️ ⬇️ More stuff you should check out ⬇️ ** FREE 6-STEP APPAREL BRAND FRAMEWORK WEBINAR ** https://youtu.be/jlnm6Pd7zLk ** JOIN THE APPAREL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NEWSLETTER GIVING YOU INDUSTRY UPDATES, CONTENT, TOOLS, INSPIRATION, GUIDES, AND SPECIAL OFFERS! ** https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/newsletter/ ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️ SAY HI ON SOCIAL: APPAREL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Website: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apparelentrepreneurship/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apparel-entrepreneurship/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apparelentrepreneurship Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apparelentrepreneurship DESINDER - Strategy, Branding & Design Agency Website: https://www.desinder.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/desinder/ Transformers Foundation: https://www.transformersfoundation.org/

We’ve worked with hundreds of brands and many of them have this in common 👇 ONE problem we see all the time: They are unable to communicate clearly and concisely on who they are and what they are about. In this episode, we talk about the importance of figuring out what your clothing brand is about. Apparel Entrepreneurship: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/ Desinder: https://www.desinder.com/

If you're aiming to elevate your clothing brand, this episode "How To Grow Your Clothing Brand - Part 2 - Collection & Product" is a must-listen. Ana & Klas from Apparel Entrepreneurship and Desinder talk about: ✅ Emphasizing sustainability is non-negotiable. With 67% of consumers prioritizing eco-friendly purchases, it's clear that environmental consciousness is central to your brand's appeal. ✅ Adopting a quality-over-quantity approach to your product line is crucial. Remember, a significant portion of your brand's success is likely to come from a small percentage of your offerings. ✅ Building strong relationships with your suppliers is key to ensuring product quality and operational efficiency. These partnerships are foundational to your brand's ability to innovate and respond to market demands. ✅ Collecting and acting on feedback from both customers and suppliers is essential for continuous improvement and alignment with market needs. Innovation should be at the heart of your strategy, involving new materials and designs to keep your brand at the forefront of the industry. ✅ Consider consolidating your suppliers to streamline operations, reduce costs, and foster closer partnerships for enhanced quality and sustainability. ✅ Smart use of colors and diligent data analysis can guide your decisions on which styles to continue and which to revise or discontinue. ✅ Carefully planning your product range to ensure a coherent collection where each item complements rather than competes with the others will optimize your sales potential. This guide is a concise roadmap for any clothing brand looking to grow in a sustainable, strategic manner. Watch the full video for detailed insights and actionable strategies to take your brand to the next level.

In this episode "Why You Should Build a Collection with an Outfit Perspective," we talk about why you should look at your fashion collection through the lens of complete outfits rather than individual pieces. This perspective shift not only aligns more closely with consumer behavior but also offers invaluable insights into the cohesion of your collection, optimizing material use, and streamlining marketing and sales efforts. See the impact this strategy can have on your brand's aesthetic appeal, operational efficiency, and market success. This approach can transform your collection presentation, making it a powerful tool for both marketing and website engagement. Apparel Entrepreneurship: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/ Desinder: https://www.desinder.com/ #FashionDesign #CollectionDevelopment #clothingbrand

Welcome to the first part of our series dedicated to growing your clothing brand. This episode focuses on the foundational elements of business and operations, crucial for navigating the complexities of today's fashion industry. In this episode of the Apparel Entrepreneurship Podcast, we provide a comprehensive look into the strategies and practices essential for the growth and sustainability of your apparel brand. With a focus on addressing current global challenges and the importance of a solid operational backbone, our aim is to offer insightful, applicable guidance for brand owners across the spectrum. Highlights Include: Building a Purpose-Driven Brand: An exploration of how to define and integrate core values into your brand identity, ensuring resilience and relevance in a competitive market. Enhancing Operational Efficiency: Practical advice on streamlining business processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain quality. Goal Setting and Strategic Planning: Guidance on establishing clear, actionable goals and developing a roadmap for achieving them, critical for focused growth. Financial Management Insights: Tips on managing your brand’s finances, from optimizing margins to strategic investment, ensuring financial health and the potential for expansion. Engaging with Your Audience: Strategies for cultivating a strong relationship with your customer base, building loyalty, and a sense of community around your brand. This video is for fashion entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their brand’s foundation and navigate the path to growth with confidence. Our approach combines industry expertise with practical solutions, designed to be directly applicable to your business. Apparel Entrepreneurship: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/ Desinder: https://www.desinder.com/ Costing Sheet: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.c... 6-Step Startup Course: https://academy.apparelentrepreneursh... Stay connected with our newsletter: https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.c...#clothingbrand #clothingbusiness #fashionbusiness

In this episode of the Apparel Entrepreneurship Podcast, we talk about how to start and run a sustainable clothing brand. You'll learn the fundamentals of starting and running a sustainable and responsible apparel business. We cover what it means and how to implement sustainability in: ✅  Brand values & mission ✅  Marketing ✅  Collection & design ✅  Sourcing & manufacturing ✅  Packaging ✅  Logistics ✅  Product care & afterlife ✅  Sales & communication Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers, and the fashion industry is no exception. We discuss how a clothing brand can be more sustainable in all stages from idea to sales. We start by discussing the importance of sustainability and the challenges the fashion industry faces. We then discuss the different ways that you can make your brand more sustainable, including: ✅  Choosing sustainable materials ✅  Using sustainable manufacturing processes ✅  Reducing waste and pollution throughout your supply chain. ✅  Packaging your products in sustainable materials. ✅  Marketing your brand in a sustainable way. We also share tips for building a loyal customer base and positively impacting the environment. We talk about the importance of transparency, storytelling, and community engagement. 🔥 Apparel Entrepreneurship - https://www.apparelentrepreneurship.com/ 🔥 Desinder - https://www.desinder.com/

In this video podcast , Ana Kristiansson from Desinder and Apparel Entrepreneurship presents the Masterclass: How To Design A Clothing Line. You’ll learn how to create a cohesive collection that speaks your unique values and language. An apparel brand's design language is like a person’s personality. It makes your brand UNIQUE! This strengthens your brand and it keeps it cohesive for customers to recognize you. It will help you attract new customers who can identify & relate to your brand. It also helps you stay consistent season after season, year after year. In this Masterclass Ana teaches you:  ✅  Why design language matters  ✅  What your designs should include  ✅  Satisfaction points and what to always consider in your designs  ✅  The essential building blocks of design  ✅  How to find inspiration  ✅  How to create your unique design language  ✅  How to integrate sustainability when designing     Ana is an accomplished apparel designer with over 20 years of experience, a BFA from Parsons School of Design, and education from the Academy of Tailoring and Cutting in Stockholm. She founded the design agency, Desinder in 2007, has created award-winning designs, and worked with renowned brands such as Peak Performance, Salomon, Helly Hansen, and Orage. Ana's commitment to excellence and innovation has earned her a reputation as one of the most influential designers in the sports and outdoor field.

There are many roles that need to be filled in your clothing business. As a small clothing brand, you can and probably will take on several of them. But ask yourself which roles you actually can fill and which ones you need to outsource. In this podcast, we are going over the typical roles you need to fill in an apparel business. Apparel Entrepreneurship Courses

In this episode, we delve into the world of clothing manufacturing and provide you with all the information you need to successfully find and work with a manufacturer. Before even beginning your search, there are important factors you need to consider, and we cover these in detail to ensure you are fully prepared. We then move onto the nitty-gritty of finding a manufacturer, from where to look to the steps you need to take to ensure you find the right one for you. Once you have found a potential manufacturer, we discuss the key questions you need to ask them to determine if it's a good fit. This is crucial in ensuring that both parties are on the same page and can work together effectively. Finally, we provide you with tips and advice on how to make the partnership work, ensuring that your clothing line is manufactured to the highest standard possible. So, whether you're just starting out in the fashion industry or are an established clothing brand looking to switch manufacturers, this episode has something for you. Join us as we share our expertise and provide you with everything you need to know to find and work with clothing manufacturers. apparelentrepreneurship.com Sign up for the Bootcamp here.

In this episode, we go over 5 of the most common mistakes clothing brands make regarding the design and product development phase. Apparel Entrepreneurship