The Fashion Designer Survival Guide

Mary Gehlhar, author, industry authority, and consultant to hundreds of designers, including Zac Posen, Twinkle by Wenlan, Rebecca Taylor, and Cloak, gives readers behind-the-scenes insights and essential business information on creating and sustaining a successful career as an independent designer. With advice from fashion luminaries including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Tyler, and top executives from Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, this fully updated and revised edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide addresses the latest trends in apparel and accessories, the newest designers, an updated introduction, and a new foreword by Diane von Furstenberg, Designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including: How to create a viable business plan Figuring out how much money you need, where and how to get it, and how to make it last, including the latest on private equity The best sources for fabric and materials Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad Marketing, branding, and getting the product into the stores and into the customer’s closets Romancing the press, dressing celebrities, and creative publicity techniques Producing a runway show that will get results

“Mary Gehlhar’s third edition of her seminal Fashion Designer Survival Guide is the definitive how-to for navigating the fashion industry, post-pandemic. Mary’s trailblazing book illuminates and inspires. She is a fashion treasure and this new edition is a rare gem.” Tim Gunn “The Fashion Designer Survival Guide is packed with essential knowledge and advice from industry experts and experienced designers to set you on the right path. These insights will give you the solid foundation to create a plan and make smart decisions…” Christian Siriano In this updated and expanded edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Mary Gehlhar, industry authority and consultant to hundreds of fashion design entrepreneurs, offers behind-the-scenes insight and essential information to launch and grow your own fashion label. You’ll hear from experts in social media, financing, and sales, along with advice from dozens of designers on solutions to their biggest challenges and their keys to success. A new section of full color photos from 25 independent designers bring the concepts to life. In this must-have guide, Gehlhar reveals essential information on: Creating a viable business plan Social media strategies to grow your customer base Maximizing online sales to get your designs directly into customers’ closets Integrating sustainability in your sourcing and manufacturing Collaborating with influencers, stylists and brands to expand your audience Landing the right financing for your type of business Establishing wholesale partnerships with the best retail stores Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad

“Mary Gehlhar’s third edition of her seminal Fashion Designer Survival Guide is the definitive how-to for navigating the fashion industry, post-pandemic. Mary’s trailblazing book illuminates and inspires. She is a fashion treasure and this new edition is a rare gem.” Tim Gunn “The Fashion Designer Survival Guide is packed with essential knowledge and advice from industry experts and experienced designers to set you on the right path. These insights will give you the solid foundation to create a plan and make smart decisions…” Christian Siriano In this updated and expanded edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Mary Gehlhar, industry authority and consultant to hundreds of fashion design entrepreneurs, offers behind-the-scenes insight and essential information to launch and grow your own fashion label. You’ll hear from experts in social media, financing, and sales, along with advice from dozens of designers on solutions to their biggest challenges and their keys to success. A new section of full color photos from 25 independent designers bring the concepts to life. In this must-have guide, Gehlhar reveals essential information on: Creating a viable business plan Social media strategies to grow your customer base Maximizing online sales to get your designs directly into customers’ closets Integrating sustainability in your sourcing and manufacturing Collaborating with influencers, stylists and brands to expand your audience Landing the right financing for your type of business Establishing wholesale partnerships with the best retail stores Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad

This is an essential piece of kit for the aspiring fashion designer. Bringing together a wide assortment of technical tips, aide memoirs, anecdotal advice, dos and don’ts, inspirational quotes, and best practices. The day-to-day life of any student in fashion school can be hectic; dashing to meet deadlines, sketching in the canteen, late-nights during the shows, putting together your own collection. This book contains insider tips and hints that you can dip into at your leisure rather than trying to pick up along the way from a range of sources. From gathering research material and developing design ideas to choosing fabrics and cutting patterns, 100 nuggets of fashion wisdom will allow you to make the most of your experience as a fashion student.

Whether fashionable or functional-or both-pockets are an important design detail that can enhance the aesthetic of your collection and improve the experience of the wearer. Whether it's for fashion design, construction, patternmaking or costume design, if you're looking to get the full picture on patch pockets, better command of the cargo, or more know-how on welts, this is your go-to resource. The Book of Pockets includes: - inspirational imagery, overlaid with fl at patterns or zoom-ins of the pocket detail - comprehensive information on all things pocket, beginning with their long history and going all the way from workwear to activewear and couture - practical advice through interviews with fashion designers, curators, and technology developers a Pocket Flat Sketch Library appendix for quick reference, and - step-by-step construction tutorials, illustrated with flats throughout, showing you how to create nested pockets with gussets, invisible zipper patch pockets, cascading pockets, and more. With consumers crying out for stylish, functional pockets, The Book of Pockets is the ultimate guide to help you successfully incorporate them into your designs.

An essential primer for students and first-stop reference for professionals, The Fashion Design Reference & Specification Booktakes the fashion designer through the entire design process, from conceiving a garment to marketing it. This valuable handbook contains the information and ideas essential to planning and executing fashion projects of every scale and distills them in an easy-to-use format that is compact enough to slip into a tote. Linking six central phases in the cycle of fashion—research, editing, design, construction, connection, and evolution—The Fashion Design Reference & Specification Book helps designers develop effective strategies for building a cohesive collection and communicating their vision. The Reference & Specification Book series from Rockport Publishers offers students and practicing professionals in a range of creative industries must-have information in their area of specialty in an up-to-date, concise handbook.