More Than Lace And Champagne

Almost anyone can print a tshirt or make a pair of earrings to sell and call themselves a designer.

Here’s the bummer. There is SO much more to running a label than making pretty things. In fact, making pretty things is only a tiny part of the equation. There’s a whole bunch of managing finances and negotiations and details that truly puts a spanner in the works.

In my personal, small and humble opinion I think it’s likely that the reason so many labels come and go is that they’re started and run in the pursuit of just that – things. Realistically though, running a fashion based business is no different to starting an financial planning firm or a construction company.

In both finance and construction there are laws that govern how these businesses and the people that work for them must operate. I’m sure this doesn’t come as a surprise to you. What may surprise you is that it’s just the same for the fashion industry. There are laws, rules and regulations with which we must abide too. Across the board these are generally created for the purpose of ensuring people do the right thing.

As heartbreaking as it is (for me, anyway), people aren’t on the whole inclined to do the right thing all on their own… particularly when there’s a benefit in them doing the wrong thing, and even more so if there’s a good chance they’ll never see those who were harmed by their actions.

Personally, I think everyone has the right to pursue their dreams, and if your dream is to run your own business then you should work out a way to do it and chase it with everything you’ve got.

That said, for goodness sake… take the time and use a little bit of logic to work out what’s required of you and your business. Tax is a pretty obvious one that cuts across all industries, but every area has its own details.

A good example in fashion is the laws around labelling.

I’m paraphrasing here, but in a nutshell the requirements for labelling a garment are that you detail what the fabric is made of, where the garment was made and how to care for it. The care label must be readable for the life of the garment using the care instructions given.

This makes pretty good logical sense, right? People need to be able to know what your item is made from and whatnot in order to begin to be able to compare it to others on the market. But that aside, some folks are unlucky enough to be allergic to some fibres. Or they don’t want to wear them because of their personal beliefs. Whatever the purpose, it’s fairly reasonable that you should be able to know what you’re buying.

Other than that however, it’s a legal requirement.

Last week I was visiting a boutique that had just received some new stock from a local label. This is a picture of a care label on a new garment from that brand:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not terribly readable now, is it?

A quick check revealed that this was actually the only style that even HAD a care label. All the others didn’t even get one.

It’s cowboys like this that create problems for the rest of the industry. Along with those that think it’s okay not to pay fair wages. Or refuse to pay their bills.

So please, if you’re going to start a business – look beyond your dreamy reasoning and do your homework. There’s more to any dream than the stuff you see on the surface.