If you are looking to start your own organic clothing line, keep in mind that it is going to take more than a good sense of style to get your company off the ground. You will need business savvy as well as the ability to create clothes that are truly organic.
Organic Clothes
Conventionally crafted clothes are usually created using harsh dyes and synthetic materials. Oftentimes these clothes are also created using fabrics that were not created with environmental sustainability in mind and which may have also been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals in the early production stages.
Organic clothing is different. Instead of allowing the raw materials of clothing in the initial stages to be exposed to a wide variety of harsh chemicals and synthetic materials, organic clothing uses natural methods to produce the materials used to create the clothing. For example, instead of spraying cotton fields used to produce cotton for clothing with harmful chemical pesticides, organic farmers use natural methods to keep insects at bay. Organic farmers also focus on the sustainability of their farming to ensure that they have as little impact on the land as possible.
If you are going to start your own organic clothing line, you must have a firm understanding of what makes clothing organic. You don't want to get caught in a position where you sell your clothing labeled as organic and then find out that the clothes aren't actually organic after all.
How to Start Your Own Organic Clothing Line
Starting your own business is usually not a simple task, even if you have the drive and talent required to eventually be successful as an organic clothing designer. Even though clothing design is a rather artistic endeavor, you cannot ignore the business aspects associated with starting any business:
- Research costs. You don't only have to estimate the cost of materials, but also the cost of production as well as the funds you will need to advertise your organic clothing line.
- Set up a business plan. Your business plan will show how you intend on running your clothing line. Business plans are sometimes presented to lenders or investors as a way to specify what you envision for your organic clothing line, but they can also be a useful tool to help you stay on the right track.
- Work toward organic certification, or find a supplier who is already certified. If you are going to advertise your clothing as organic, you need to either start the process of certifying the clothing you produce as organic or instead select a supplier that has an organic certification.
You will find that there are countless other things that will pop up that need to be taken care of in the beginning stages when you start your own organic clothing line. One day you may find yourself laboring over the name and logo for your clothing line and another day you may find yourself sweeping out the work area you lease. Be prepared to be flexible when you are in the beginning stages of getting your clothing line off the ground.
Word of Mouth
One of the most powerful marketing tools you have at your disposal when starting your clothing line is word-of-mouth advertising. As organic clothing quickly gains popularity, more and more high profile individuals are considering this type of clothing when planning their wardrobes. If you can't find a local retailer to carry your line in the beginning stages, you may want to consider gifting a few pieces from your line to people who you know will wear it well.
For example, if you live in a small town and do not have access to anyone who might be considered a celebrity (and you don't have the funds to hire a publicist to spread the word about your new organic clothing line) start small with people in the area who are influential and often seen in public. Of course, if you want to get bold in your attempts, consider sending a few pieces directly to a celebrity with good fashion sense. The goal is to get your name out there and to get people talking about your clothing.
