Creating a Clothing Line: Start Production Part 1

Yes! I am finally done all of these sketches! I’m not going to show you just yet though. I’m definitely very proud of the line though. It’s different than what I constantly see online with these Atlanta boutiques. So I’m going to give it a try. I already set up the photo shoot, the model, the hair dresser and the Make-up artist. I have this model named Brittany Dorm. She’s very good! I decided to choose her because we came from the same home city. I’m from York, Pennsylvania if you didn’t know J I’m starting out and since I know a lot of people, I want to involve her as well and maybe give her a start.

When starting production make sure to schedule the photo shoot. I like to schedule everything before hand so then I have a deadline. If you don't have a deadline, sometimes you can just keep pushing it off for later dates. Years can go buy and you're still making excuses as to why you can't do it now. Everything is scheduled on the first of August so I will definitely keep you posted. From now until then, I’m going to be stuck in the dungeon sewing my life away! Good luck everybody!

Creating a Clothing Line: Struggling Ideas

So I think I’m done my inspiration board. I say “I think” because sometimes I find new things that inspire me and I add that to the board. Make sure to put the board up where you can see it constantly.

                Now it’s time to design!!! This is the third best part of this whole process. The second best part is making the clothes (or getting the clothing made if you don’t sew); and the best part about the process is seeing your creations being worn! You know I can’t wait for that part.

The only problem I am having is that I have so many different ideas! Ugh!! The struggle is real! I already have a photo shoot scheduled so I definitely need to get on the ball.  

I thought 5 outfits for this mini line would do but I drew down like 20 designs. I also incorporated old designs that didn’t get all the exposure I felt it deserved. So I think I have an idea… I’m going to do 2 lines!

When I tell people the name of my line, sometimes they act like “aw Tasia, why do you always have to be a little freak?” lol but that’s not it at all. Again, I’ve always been known as the party girl so when I googled “party” a synonym for it is “affair.” I thought it would be cool since I always see flyers with “affair” on it anyway. So I’m going to come out with an “All white Affaire” and an “All Black Affaire” Line.  I’m eager to get the outfits out but I need to focus first! I’ve been gone a while doing a lot of custom work behind the scene and I have to come out with a bang. So I’m going to give them one… Here it goes!!!

Here are a few of the designs that I thought of... Don't forget to show me some of your work as well!

Making an Inspiration Board for your Fashion Line

In order for me to get started on my own project, I have to finish the last bit of projects I have going on. When I first moved down here (Atlanta that is, AYE!) I met a guy in school. A gay guy. (I love gay guys!!) OMG me and Sean argued so bad in class because he thought he was the shit! haha. Anyway, we would go back and forth on whose projects were better. After realizing we had a lot in common, we actually became very close. Even though we cuss each other out every chance we get, it’s really only just passion for our craft that does it. The only reason I mention him is because me and him work together. So you'll hear about him much more. I have my clients that come in and he has his. For his clients that he brings me; he'll design, and I'll sew. So my last 3 projects are one coming from him and 2 coming from me. Let me knock them out the way before we REALLY get started

 I'm going to do my line all while I am doing for his clients as well. I hope it's not too much but we'll see. It doesn't hurt to try.

I bought this book about two years ago called "How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Fashion Design Business" by Janet Engle. It's actually a really good book to read. It helps you every step of the way and also has a CD-Rom that comes with it. She gives you all of the steps. You just have to stick with them. You will learn that I am a bargain shopper. I get it from my dad and I usually don’t like to pay full price for much if I can find it cheaper online. So no, I didn’t pay the full price for this book. I think it’s actually about $60. I only paid $10 on Amazon.com. I mentioned this book because it helped me a lot. All the mistakes I made the first time was also a big help in knowing what NOT to do!

Remember we’re supposed to struggle to the top together?? So let’s struggle!

                First we need to come up with a line which is basically your niche in this market. What you want to do the most. Since I already started my business a while ago and kind of "gave up" on it. I already have a name. It's Affaire Clothing. Affaire, coming from the word "Affair." Not meaning a cheater! Lol, get your mind out of the gutter! But I used to party soooo much. Not as much as I want to anymore, but that might change soon. When I went to think of a name for my company, I just googled the word "party"... and 'affair' came up. You know you always see "All Black Affair" or "Grown and Sexy Affair." Well when I went to buy the name "Affair Clothing" catering to all of the party girls with sexy dresses and jumpsuits, the name had too much going on. So I just added an "E" so there wouldn't be much conflict and purchased that.

Now it's time to get some inspiration.

This could take a long time depending on if you don't already have ideas. Some people don’t get their complete collection just right for months, even years. So keep looking until you are completely inspired. Go to magazines, online forums, and recent trends to get ideas if you are looking for them.

Get a board and take all findings that inspire you and lay them on the board. Don't attach just yet!! Figure out a theme. Whether it's with colors, shapes, buildings, words... WHO CARES! Let it inspire you. It's a process of elimination. When you do start attaching pieces to the board, make sure your board makes sense.

This is our Inspiration Board!

Here are a few examples below

 

The Beginning of The Struggle

Sometimes I hate the way life is going. I kind of did all of the goals I set out to do on the journey of growing up, but when all of that is done and you have all that you need in order to make your dreams happen, where do you start? I struggled with that daily. Where to start? How to start? Where is this money going to come from? Hmmmmm. Yea, maybe I think too much but then again, I'm a Virgo. Don't judge me! Lol.

After school and traveling, life started, of course. But I guess I just wasn't ready for it. Or maybe I just wasn't prepared for how REAL it is when it does start. Anywho, it's here now. So instead of me spending so much time designing clothes, embellishing shoes, looking for new customers on the internet, and surfing the wholesale websites to keep adding things to my Ebay store, I decided to stop all of that... And get a job.

I know, I know. That isn't the American dream right?! But hey, I spent so much time AND MONEY following my dreams that it actually put me in a little financial problem. Starting my Ebay store meant inventory. Making a clothing line meant making samples which meant buying fabric, muslin, paper for patterns, thread, notions, sketching paper, markers, pencils. Shooting these looks meant photo shoots, make-up artists, hair dresser... This "hobby" isn't cheap. Yes I have made a good bit along the way. But when I would get paid, I wouldn't use the money to pay off my credit card bills. I would use it towards the next project. Hoping to get bigger and bigger and receiving more clients as a reward for my hard work. I just want you to know that this business is ugly. I'm talking about hideous. I have gone through MANY trials and tribulations that have almost made me give up. They would put me in a bit of a set back because I would be feeling so discouraged and beat down. But fuck it! What worth having comes easy??

With all of that being said, I'm tired of working. Yes I went to school and have degree(s), yes that’s plural. But honestly they don't mean anything to me. I'm sorry readers; I know you didn't want to hear that. Don't get me wrong, I like school. It was never hard for me. I kind of just went and whatever happened, happened. It just so happened that it always turned out good. I really only did it for my parents, and just to say that I did. But I honestly don't care much about it at all. I don't want to work for absolutely anybody but myself. And although the information in the classroom helped some, it really isn't any different from when I am stumped on something and then I Google it or you tube it. I probably could have googled or you tubed everything I learned in school and saved almost $50,000. Oh well, can't think about it now.

From now on, I'm not going to work just to pay bills. I work so much in order to live the life I want and pay the bills I've accumulated and ummm... I’m not for that anymore. I graduated from school 2 years ago and it only took me a year and a half to realize that. I'm going to keep my job, of course. The benefits are good! haha. And where else is this investment money going to come from? I'm going to put myself on a serious struggle. Saving every bit of money I can to put it towards the business. And of course I'm going to tell you every step of the way. Hell, maybe you can help me through it. Struggle with me the whole way to the top. Who wants to be alone anyway??

...Let’s get started!

Website Shut Down

Hello AC girls! Yes, we have shut the website down. A lot of you that would use the website to inquire about your custom piece, you can still do that. But instead of using the website, just email the company at Affaireclothing@gmail.com with all of the same information that you provided on the website. If you are not sure, just use the guides below to help assist you. We are trying to switch sites and also add much more for the customers convenience. So in the meantime, we shut that website down in order to prvovide you with a better one. We have also shut down the eBay store which will relaunch with the new website. Thank you!


AffaireClothing

Prices and Size Chart

Keep in mind, all clothing shipped out is drawn, patterned, cut, and sewn by Affaire Clothing associates. We would like to keep production within the United States and we feel as though hands on is the best way to do our business. Price rates are located below.

Short Dresses:                          $120.00

Bodysuits:                                   $140 – $180

Leggings:                                     $60 - $90

The measurement chart is listed below for how all dresses are made. Unless you are ordering a custom piece which involves sending a group of measurements. This link shows you what measurements to send.

Custom Orders

When ordering custom pieces make sure to contact AffaireClothing@gmail.com with 4 measurements...

1. Bust
2. Waist (smallest part of your stomach area. Mostly crossing belly button area. This is your natural waist measurement)
3. Hips
4. Height


The picture below will determine how to measure these certain measurements

Some people have areas that they have more issues with, such as having bigger arms. If you have issues like these, just measure the area that you have more of a problem with and send that measurement along with the others.

Also send an idea of what you would like or ideas that are in your head. A drawing(s) will be provided to you in order to make a final decision for your order within 3 days of your inquiry.