Information on the apparel and accessories industry, including directories, articles, reports and databases.
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Apparel and Accessories Industry Information
Apparel research is key to launching your own fashion companyBy Kanika Richardson The apparel industry is an exciting profession. It's creative, stylish and even glamorous to see others wearing your designs. Maybe you have the ideas, an eye for detail and the designs to create authentic apparel and accessories. However, jump-starting a fashion company takes more than passion and the ability to create. It also takes knowledge of the apparel industry and more importantly, the apparel industry market.
The retail apparel industry is a competitive and sometimes unstable business. Trends are here today and gone tomorrow. So it helps if you equip yourself with as many resources to help you roll with the tide. Here are several tips.
1. Whether you are interested in the accessories industry or apparel, it is important to research your market. Investigate the trends and discover the business side of fashion from the inside out. Research market research companies to determine your demographic.
2. Complete a thorough analysis of the fabrics, hardware and materials you will need so you won't have too much surplus on your hands.
3. Find retail outlets to sell to the apparel industry market.
Prepare for apparel industry success
Utilizing market research data, forecast what your business will look like 1 year to 3 years from now. Take into consideration where you live and customer demand. Not every design is a hit in every city and not every trend sticks around for 3 years, so be flexible while remaining true to your creativity.
Try:
Organize your thoughts for execution with a business plan. There are several templates out there to help. Download a free template from Scribd. It does a great job explaining each section. Formatted as a MS Word document, complete your apparel industry market plan and upload it for feedback from the Scribd community. Get great apparel industry resources in pattern making and standard sizing information from Fashiondex. Obtain market research data from Plunkett Research.
Find a manufacturer with apparel and accessories industry resources
The retail apparel industry thrives from the availability to produce unique items in bulk. Research manufacturers will reproduce designs to your specifications at a low price.
Try:
Check the apparel industry directory at Apparel Search. The National Register publishes a directory of manufacturers in the apparel and accessories industry. Available in hard cover, CD or online access, this resource is used by Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. In addition, check out the free trial at Selectory where you can research a variety of apparel manufacturers. Find apparel industry news, guides and directories at Apparel or Women's Wear Daily,
Obtain retail space for the apparel industry market
One of the inexpensive ways to obtain retail space is to build a website. With no overhead, showcase a few pieces and sell them online. You don't have to be an expert to build a website. Many computer programs have templates to help you create a simple online experience.
Try:
Open a PayPal account for your website. If building a website is too much of a hassle for you, there are online retailers such as ApparelLink that will create and host your website for a small fee. Visit PartnerUp, a database for commercial real estate, and browse what is available in your area if you're wanting a storefront to display your apparel items.
- Remember that customer service is key. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Contingency plans are always beneficial and evaluating new apparel information will help you make quality decisions to help your business grow.
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Buy Industry Reports, Data & Trends on the Comm. Industry
The Leading Source for Embroidered and Screen Printed Apparel
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A global, quality assurance service laboratory providing consumer products testing, inspection, and consulting services in the areas of toys, textiles, health and beauty, food products, chemical, hard goods, and electronics.
Published directory listing brand label names and manufacturers in the women's, men's, children's and accessory markets.
http://www.fashiondex.com/mfg/
Apparel Trade Promotion Network
India based directory of information focusing on the producing and exporting for products utilized in the production of apparel.
Offers online listings for sewn-product production and merchandising. Provides web design and web hosting.
Information and statistics about bar codes, including how to get bar codes for products.
http://www.adams1.com/pub/russadam/statquest01.html
Online source for price and statistical data about USA cattle hides.
Site dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of beauty in the natural world, in Western culture as well as other cultures both past and present.
Online directory of children's wear retail stores, wholesale children's wear manufacturers & wholesale children's wear representatives.
http://www.childsweardirectory.com/
Information about clothing labels, including care and fiber content.
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/textiles/nf93.htm
Information and on-line marketplace for fashion and beauty industries.
Fashion Center Business Improvement District
Non-profit corporation promoting New York City's apparel industry through programs in the areas of marketing and promotions, economic development, street services and improvements and community service.
Fashion report published exclusively on the Internet; womenswear trend and forecasting service offering a close and detailed insight into fashion trends from a unique perspective.
http://www.fashioninformation.com/
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Allows a manufacturers' search by name, address, description and phone number.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/Garmreg.html
A book published between 1861 nad 1880 in Germany. Order information is included, as well as graphics and images.
http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html
Dedicated to the fashion of the late 19th and early 20th century, especially to sewing patterns.
Online source for finding suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, designers and retailers of apparel, textiles and accessories. Also offers auctions, B2B links and industry information and resources.
Information for merchandise technology professionals including space planning, store fixtures, merchandising reports and digital product imaging.
Resource for wholesalers and retailers in the fashion industry, including seasonal fashion, color and trend forecasts and more.
Marketing information options providing a foundation of knowledge on consumer purchasing and behavior on which to develop more effective marketing strategies.
International fashion network providing a directory of businesses in the industry and publishing a user-built fashion bible.
http://www.style-and-fashion.com/
Textile Industry Affairs (TIA)
Unit of the Clorox Company that assists apparel/textile professionals in understanding and implementing the FTC Care Label Rule.
http://www.textileaffairs.com/charts.htm
Dictionary of more than ten thousand words and expressions in four languages (Frnch, Spanish, deutch and English) relating to the textile sector, ranging from the various types of fabrics to the industrial processes applicable to these fabrics and includi
http://www.bemarnet.es/textil/dict.e.html
The Fashion Center - New York City
The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, a not-for-profit corporation, was established in 1993 to promote New York City's apparel industry and to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of Manhattan's garment district. Through programs
http://www.fashioncenter.com/main.html
Information about underwire bras including bra facbrics, anatomy and places to buy bras.
http://www.funhouse.com/babs/FAQ.html
Information about US Customs, including history, mission, laws, regulations and tariffs, news and links to passport, visa and trvel related sites.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/index.htm
US Department of Commerce - Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA)
Conducts data development, dissemination, research and analysis on international and domestic trade and investment issues to support trade promotion and trade policy responsibilities of Trade Development, International Trade Administration, Department of
http://www.ita.doc.gov/tradestats/
US International Trade Commission (USITC)
Independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides objective trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on US industries and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices,
Information about US patent classes dealing with civil, textile, transportation and HVAC engineering.
http://sunsite.unc.edu/patents/engroup.html#SG6
Information about sizes, weights, and properties of knitting and weaving yarn.
http://www.fibergypsy.com/Charts_and_Other_Helpful_Resources/Yarn_Sizes_and_Information/
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Apparel and Accessories Industry Information
Clothing is not only big business but a necessity. Everyone needs clothes and the accessories that go along with them like shoes, handbags and hats. Regardless of where we live or the season of the year, there are clothing appropriate choices to be made. Choices are what express style, taste and personality. Fabric, color and design all play a part in the clothing offered to us and that we choose to buy.
An educated buyer makes smart decisions. They buy the right fabrics for the right time of year. They look for information on what's hot and what's not. They are interested in learning what styles and cuts are flattering to them and which work apparel lasts the longest. Gathering ... more
Clothing is not only big business but a necessity. Everyone needs clothes and the accessories that go along with them like shoes, handbags and hats. Regardless of where we live or the season of the year, there are clothing appropriate choices to be made. Choices are what express style, taste and personality. Fabric, color and design all play a part in the clothing offered to us and that we choose to buy.
An educated buyer makes smart decisions. They buy the right fabrics for the right time of year. They look for information on what's hot and what's not. They are interested in learning what styles and cuts are flattering to them and which work apparel lasts the longest. Gathering information like this can be an insurmountable task with as quickly as the apparel industry changes.
Apparel and accessories industry information might include articles and reviews, information from designers and manufacturers and what's on the buy lists of the big name retailers. Finding all of this information in one easy to access location might seem impossible but with Business.com, that is just what you can do. Their resources can bring apparel and accessories industry information to your computer screen in a couple of clicks of your mouse.
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