Is the Fashion Business for YOU?

The fashion industry always seems to be a hot topic, whether it’s the glamour, luxury or the sustainability ethnical issues. To the stiff competition or cutthroat environment we hear about or watch on TV shows.

However, fashion is more than those things. Are they apart of the fashion industry… yes absolutely, but I like to focus on how I see fashion day in and day out. Many see the glitz and the glamour and don't understand all fashion is.

In the topic for this week, I wanted to highlight a sit down I had with two fashion designers. I am keeping their names out for privacy reasons. In future posts, I plan to go deeper into the world of fashion, the honest truth.

I was honored to be a part of an event where I was in charge of our panelist. So, keeping them entertained and busy, feeding them, and setting up their fashion pieces to showcase. Service at it's finest lol!

When I was able to sit down with them before the actual panel discussion and ask them a few questions for myself. I was able to learn a lot; coming into the fashion industry you will have everyone telling you something different or what you should do to be successful. You have some who are conservative, some trying to just get their piece of the pie or some who truly want to forge their own path. Not to say you shouldn't listen but determine what speaks to you and is genuine vs just a trend.

Both designers grew up in the NYC area, one being Puerto Rican and the other being Caribbean from Tobago (of Trinidad and Tobago). I loved the fact they were both minorities in the industry and being able to understand their journey. They were very personable and down to earth, it made all of the difference in being genuine and conversational.

In my mind I was thinking "Of course they are out of NYC, NYC has the rep of producing great designers, which can be intimidating."

What I learned with the time I had to interrogate (lol not really):

• Every designer’s journey is different. Whether you are just entering into it or returning from a hiatus. If you have been obsessed with it since a kid or are just now realizing, it's what you're meant to do.?Everyone can win and have their place in fashion if it's truly what you want to do. It will take a lot of determination, grit & passion but what industry doesn't have that. However, keep in mind your designs aren't for everyone but it's important to understand who they are for and the community you want to build & most importantly it will take time. You have to truly understand what's important for your fashion business, because let me tell you if you don't you can get pulled and sucked into every direction. There are runway shows, pop ups, trade shows, styling, blogging and the list can goes on and on.

Does your clothing brand represent something that you identify with or a story? Why are you creating the line to begin with? Is it meant to be more artistic, ready wear or casual? Knowing the impact, you want to make and the people you want to serve. You may hear some designers that aren't on E-commerce, there may be some that have never done a trunk show, but may be these items will work for your line. Don't force things; if you aren't a writer than don't do a blog, if your fashion doesn't fit a specific boutique and their demographic don't do a trunk show there. This isn't to say don't be open-minded but more of know what is a good fit for your brand and what you want to accomplish.

• Confidence is key. I didn't realize with designers how many of us have to constantly build up our confidence. Whenever an item is created the customer is experiencing a piece of that designer and their journey. Believing and loving your own designs and what they stand for is truly important. You'll be surprised how many designers out there had to build up the confidence or are still working on it.
• Neither of them said for the money. When talking to them you could tell how much they just love the creativity of what they did. Not once did money come out of their mouth and it easily could have, but instead they wanted to create and whatever happened, happened. Honestly, I feel the same when you're in an industry doing what you love it makes a huge difference. It took me a while to understand when people would comment "it won't feel like work", and truly it doesn't. Don't enter any industry just for the money, but if you do and aren't getting anywhere maybe you should re-evaluate that.

If you feel the fashion industry is for you; just know its going to take courage, strength and daring moves. It is a fascinating industry, there are a lot of ugly parts to it but there are beautiful ones as well. Everything in life has the good, bad and ugly, you just have to determine if it's for YOU! If fashion is for you, I encourage you to pursue it with all your heart knowing you'll find your community.?