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Note: Make sure you read all the mistakes in by commentators! Thanks

I was looking through some of my notes for articles and just wanted to come up with something new that I haven’t seen on any other blog…at least in the manner that I am going to provide the information. What better way to learn than by knowing and listening to mistakes that other clothing companies in your field make. This list is going to go on indefinitely and I will re-post it to the top of the blog either weekly or daily depending on how popular it becomes. I know most of our readers either have or are in the process of starting a clothing line have made a mistake, wit their own stories to tell of were they ordered too many products or set prices too high while trying to start their clothing line or in their day to day business activities. So I am going to begin the post by listing as many mistakes that I have made and know other companies have made that can limit your chance of success as a clothing company.

Online custom denim jeans manufacturer Z2 Jeans (Z Squared) found its niche in the business of pleasing customers by offering them the chance to create their on denim jeans to fit the many shapes and sizes of consumers.
By customizing you can control every aspect including:

• Color
• Fit (slim,classic,relax)
• Rise
• Leg(Flare,boot cut..etc)
• Fly zipper
• Hem
• Pocket style and design
• Belt loops

I could go on for days, but the possibility is limitless for the customer looking for their own customized denim jeans. Since these are customized jeans you can control the exact measurement of your jeans to insure you get the right fit you spend hours looking for.

You have the option to choose between men and women customized jeans or clone a replica of your favorite pair of jeans. Prices for these services start at $85 a small price to pay for that perfect pair of denim.

Want to know more about Z2 Jeans then head over to their site and create your custom pair of denim jeans. Also visit their profile on the Global Fashion Network.

Stay stitching is a single line of stitching around a curved edge to help prevent stretching. Usually done with bias cut edges, which would allow easy distortion of the fabric.

Illustration of stay-stitching:

Popularity: 3% [?]

Some of these mass merchandises want a piece of every dollar. Not to be out done by Wal Mart as if they already weren’t Kmart is planning on launching a surf inspired clothing company called Boarding by this summer.

Depending on initial consumer reaction the clothing may be rolled out to more than 1,400 of its store locations in later seasons. Prices will range from $12.99-$22.99 at retail. Boarding is a product of Miami based Orange Clothing President Scott-Deutsch Says ” The same quality and look of Quicksilver and Volcom, but at half the price.

How many are checking for a Kmart surf wear brand?

Source: DNR

Popularity: 6% [?]

I contacted C & A apparel services a few days ago and asked them a few questions and I spoke with a gentlemen name Tom. Very nice guy and I highly recommend any small or startup fashion company to take advantage of their services.

Now down to business C & A is a full service boutique production company. Taken directly from the site they call themselves a boutique production company, Because they offer all the services needed for a smaller and growing fashion company to quickly grow and expand their brand and reach.

Don’t think C & A can’t handle larger scale production, because they can and their client list reflects it. Take a look at their past clients on their About page.

What are some of C & A production capabilities:

• Development
• Patterns
• Samples and sample duplicates
• Grading
• Marking
• Cutting
• Sewing
• Finishing (as part of cutting and sewing services only; for full finishing work, please utilize a finishing-only company)

I know this is something that many of you would never want to come to terms with, but in all reality it is something that many businesses face.

There will be many times where you think it is not going to happen or you have exhausted all your resources and it is time to throw in the towel, but how do you know that this time it is for sure or are you just giving up out of pure frustration?

I personally would never give up unless I’ve used all my resources and tried every alternative possible and they’ve all failed, because unless you truly took advantage of every waking moment and opportunity your thin line between failure/success could lie between.

The idea for this article came about after finding out about MindTrix Clothing calling it quits after five years in business and are in the process of selling off the last of its inventory. They’ve decided to pull the plug after Mindtrix ran out of money to continue production after a couple of setbacks in 2007. Hopefully this article will help them sell off the last bit and good luck to them in the future. Show your support for a fellow designer-entrepreneur by Shopping Mindtrix clothing.

Catching up from Part 1

In the case of Phat Gear I never received the money for that order till this day and don’t expect it in the mail anytime soon. I don’t regret anything that has happened to me during my time in the fashion industry and all the mishaps have made me more aware and I learned that starting a clothing line has one hell of a learning curve and good bit come from learning how to deal with the people in it.

Considering I will be moving to Atlanta for good in January I plan on making a few rounds and paying some store owners a visit .

I’ve heard everything during the start of my clothing line and anything I tell you on this blog has happened to me or anyone surrounding my circle. This business is not for the faint of heart and you will not withstand it if you are not persistent and believe in your own clothing company when nobody else does.

Many people young and old think success is an unobtainable goal, not cut out for the masses and statistically speaking it can look that way. But it is really up to you at the end of the day to make that choice on whether or not you will lead the life of a 9-5 cubicle slave or make the leap into financial freedom through any of your would-be entrepreneurial endeavors simultaneously paving your way to success. This is not just for business people, but for anyone who has ever had a goal and failed to achieve it whether it was losing weight, earning extra income, or overcoming everyday obstacles in life.

So with that said instead of writing about how to be successful or how to make money or how to increase your chances to success in the next 24 hours I decided to write about why you will never be successful in this lifetime, because many read how they can be successful, but their aren’t many articles to my knowledge on the reasons for people not succeeding even though most can be changed around for the better.

I think that we can all agree that financing seems to be the number 1 reason for why most startup clothing companies say they’re not succeeding or able to grow their clothing company or even start one for that matter.

I get so many emails from people that say Fred I have a great idea, but I don’t have the necessary financing to get my clothing company off the ground and I know if I did we would be a big hit! Something of that sort, but I get at least 10 of those per week and honestly it’s kind of scary to see, because it is not only in the fashion industry that you hear people talk about the what if’s and maybes of why they’re not succeeding.

So many if I met this person and if they wore it or if I could quit my job and work on it full time…so many excuses, but what many fail to realize is that many of us are up against the same obstacles and reality that you faced, but the successful few are the ones that chose to overcome it..what will you make of your destiny in the fashion industry?

High end fashion house Yigal Azrouel is seeking an intern for the public relations department to start immediately.

Some of your responsibilities include:

• Sample request and returns
• Organize press books
• Maintain press archives
• Maintain office and showroom appearances
• Help with fashion show preparation
• Photoshop & strong computer skills

If your interested please send your resume to andreap@yigal-azrouel.com and check out Yigal Azrouel online for more information.

Popularity: 7% [?]

This is another question/answer session between Billy Kapler of Kapler and Associates and one of our readers. Also a follow up to the Henry Bendel article.

For privacy I will edit the readers name.

Nicky asks:

I have just finished my prototyping of my camisole line (2 designs). I plan on going to the Henri Bendel open-see and wonder what I will need to go, besides the prototypes.

Here are my main questions for you, for when we chat:

1. Do I need a business license in place. I am having a difficult time coming up with a Brand name. (Although I do have a catchy product name)

Billy’s Answer:

Usually there is a “line sheet” which is thumbnail sketches to the styles, sizes they come in, price, delivery, colors so they buyer has something to remind them of what they saw or what they selected. Of course your contact information is on the line sheet too.

Dobizo Answers is still open to your questions so don’t forget to forward any questions to Dobizo Answers instead of emailing them so that everyone can learn from questions and possibly answer them if they have an answer.
John Ask’s:

I appreciate all you’re doing for us up and comers here at dobizo.com. I’ve learned so much in the past few weeks! I was wondering if you can answer this question for me. I’m going to be starting a clothing brand soon and will be working alone and plan on mostly selling online and on occasions selling at trade shows, etc. What type of business entity do you think I should form? Also, I’ve heard that after I file my business name, a tax id is given to me by the IRS. Does this mean that I have to automatically start paying taxes? I’d really rather not pay taxes right away until I get my sales rolling. Anyway, thanks again for the website with its wealth of information and I hope to hear your reply soon.