How to Start a Fashion Business: The Honest Truth

If you're like me, you might love fabric, enjoy sewing, and get excited by the idea of turning a creative passion into something bigger. When I was in school, my favourite subject was textiles and design. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would start my own fashion business.

Fast forward ten years, and here I am—still learning, still growing, and still figuring things out. If you're thinking about starting a clothing business, let me start by telling you: it is challenging as hell. Like anything in life, it takes willingness, determination, and—most importantly—a big why. Your why is what will keep you going when things get tough. And trust me, they will get tough.

I’ve had moments where I wanted to throw in the towel. I’ve cried over slow sales, stressed about cash flow, and questioned whether I could keep going. And if you compare yourself to those who seem to have ‘made it,’ just know they’ve likely had just as many breakdowns behind the scenes.

Where to Start

So, where do you begin? Once you know why you want to start this journey and who you’re designing for, it’s time to create a mood board. This will help you refine your brand’s aesthetic and vision for your first collection.

If you have pattern-making and sewing skills, that’s a great advantage. But if you don’t, don’t let that stop you—there are plenty of sample makers who can bring your designs to life.

From Sampling to Production

Once you’ve sampled and fitted your range, the next step is creating a Tech Pack. This is a document detailing everything about each product—fabric type, colour-ways, sizing, and all those little details. It’s crucial for ensuring your garments are produced correctly and with minimal errors.

Building Your Brand and Selling Your Collection

Once your range is ready, you’ll need a strong online presence. A well-designed website is essential. If possible, work with a graphic designer to develop a logo, branding elements, and labels so everything feels cohesive across your website, social media, and packaging. Your garment manufacturer may also print your labels and price tags if you provide them with the right files.

Pricing your products correctly is another critical step. Make sure you factor in all costs—materials, production, shipping, marketing—so that your business remains profitable.

Marketing and Getting Your Brand Out There

Here’s the reality: You could have the most stunning clothing range, but if no one knows about it, you won’t sell a thing. Marketing is everything. You have to put yourself out there, talk about your brand, and promote your products consistently.

If you’re just starting, I highly recommend doing markets. They’re a great way to get real-time feedback from customers and build brand awareness. Not every market will be a success, and some days might be slow—but don’t let that discourage you. Use it as an opportunity to learn, refine, and keep pushing forward.

And most importantly—don’t listen to the naysayers. There will be people (sometimes even close to you) who don’t believe it will work. But the truth is, you just need to keep going. Surround yourself with other small business owners, seek out inspiration, and remind yourself why you started.

Starting a fashion business isn’t easy, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, it’s worth every challenge.

I’m still figuring it out myself, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned—it’s that you just have to keep going. Adjust, evolve, and trust that you are capable.

You’ve got this. ❤️