2007
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This article is continuing from Part 1, Part 2?and Part 3?of the series?on how to start a clothing line.
Picking a name for your clothing line probably seems like one of the easier choices to make when starting?your clothing company. Building a successful clothing brand is a task that requires dedication, creative marketing, brand awareness and also a distinctive name/logo that stands out from the and is easily recognizable.
For instance think about some of the most successful clothing companies. Right off top you could probably sketch them or pick a garment just off of the logo, because they are usually simple but effective and easily recognizable. Ralph Lauren is associated with the Polo player. Ecko you think of the powerful charging rhino. This works across all playing fields down to premium brands like Chanel with the cuffed backwards C’s. Even though you might have never wore either of these brands you could most likely pick there logos out of a line up…so to speak.
I suggest when choosing a name you either create something totally original or pick a name that is timeless or has meaning/substance. Never I repeat never choose a name for your clothing brand that is after a slang or popular term that will most likely be something of the past and will not be relevant in the near future. From my own experience buyers or storeowners love it when you have a story to tell for your brand or their is a reason for your clothing line existence…let’em know that you filled a void in the marketplace and why. The brand I own Scout Union Apparel was born? before my college days and would seem like we essentially took the name from the Boyscouts or from Scout, but I actually thought of what I wanted out of a clothing line and tried to incorporate it into the brands’ name….I think we accomplished that. Superior Clothing Original Urban Taste and Union is for my partners and I coming together to form a union…Scout Union. If not a meaning than give it a message or a reason for being like the LRG (Lifted Research Group) who brand stands by bringing progressive messages in their clothing garments and the philosophy being underground inventive, overground effective.
I can remember when deciding upon a name how I tried to think of every reason for NOT choosing a specific?name and that is what eventually made it a final choice to go with Scout Union Apparel. I thought about going with just Scout or two maybe three?words Scout Union and I end up choosing two, because I thought about how it would give me more ways to play with a design layout, especially when developing a logo. My last decision was motivated by the logo design, because I decided to call it Scout Union with the?apparel on the end, which could have been clothing, or fashion.? I?thought SUA had?a nice ring to it and the logo came out simple and clean.
Designing A Logo
When developing your fashion brands logo you should definitely keep the name of your brand in mind and incorporate that into the design of the logo. Don’t think too much on the complexity, first make sure that it makes sense. I don’t know how many logos I have seen and they?have no relevance toward the meaning behind the clothing brands name or what the designs represent….
Look out for Part 5 of the In-Depth Step by Step Guide To Starting a Clothing Line For Fashion Designers.
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July 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Hey these articles have been a great help. I haven’t found anything like them anywhere
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:50 pm
[…] This article is Part 5 of the In-Depth Step by Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line for Fashion Designers. Click here for part 1, 2, 3, and 4. […]
September 28th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
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October 11th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hi there
your website is a real real help!
I am in the process of starting up my own fashion line, but what I want to know is whether a logo will deter boutique shop owners/buyers at all?
October 15th, 2007 at 6:55 am
hey sports fans, while on the subject I would like to share my branded concept with you. GYE NYAME owes it’s origins to cote’ de ivory, west africa, which literally means without GOD There is nothing or place nothing before GOD. Although personally I claim no denomination, my wish is to honor the source and sustainer of our existence, thru our clothing and accessories. Our logo consist of a sankofa bird, redirected backwards, ENCOURAGING humanity to learn from the past to build for the future, or simply put learn from ones’ mistakes. Our tagline is CREATE-EDUCATE-UPLIFT. visitgyebags.com for more.Jann
January 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I am looking for a company to partner with, my designs will rule the contemporary industry due to is originality and uniqueness, also its very personal to each individual expression.
I know that there is nothing out there like my logo, and the logo alone will sell, it does not matter what it’ll be attached to. It’s going to be better than Ed Hardy and worn by all the celebrities and young adult generation, world wide, I even know how to make my clientele go crazy for it.
Anzhelika Sakh
178-496-4029
March 6th, 2008 at 1:16 am
jann- I couldn’t agree with you more. Outstanding!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Hey world,
Right now I’m in uni launching a label with my friend who owns a new fashion media company.
Our brand is a 5 letter acronym for something quite crass however we never plan to release what it actually means. However the concept drove us to focus the brand to highlight/depict what we call in ‘artsy wanker terms’ - social irony. Simply put, situations that you see in life that happen spontaneously or occur ad infinitum because of people’s nature which just make you laugh out loud. [e.g boys never learning they can’t purchase a conversation with a pretty girl with a drink - many girls take it and walk off *cue me laughing at the sap*] - you get the idea.
Question being - do you think this is an ok concept or are there potential pitfalls? i.e the market demanding what it stands for if/[hopefully] when it takes off.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
i am an upcoming designer and i would like to know if the price range would affect my customers i am targeting to?
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
In response to DangermanDan, I like the concept, dont know how “crass” the acronym is,but you definitely want to be careful. I think that if you’re going with that idea, you’re going to HAVE to reveal what the acronym stands for, especially if its “crass” and the meaning is something completely opposite. That way, retailers and customers alike can answer questions when questioned about what they have on and/or selling. Remember Dan, how you dress is a personal statement about who you are, and if the consumer cant explain their choice in your line, it will probably annoy them and turn them away. However, it could be pretty clever to not reveal the meaning until a little later, that’s a good way to drum up interest, besides how the line looks. Good luck, homie!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
the logo is the most important thing you must have!!! my tip don’t make it by your own, always go to a professioanl graphic designer or friend that has a good knowledge!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
yall not doing no help im looking for a fashion line name for my own line
June 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hi - I don’t see any info on trademarks - I’ve been very successful this year but just found that my line name is already trademarked. Any help would be appreciated.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Buttonsoup-
The first thing I can tell you is to make sure your name is not trademarked before you start a business..thats just not good for business.
That will make for a good discussion. What is the name of your business?
June 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I am helping a prominent individual to start an apparel line. We want to start our line in Bloomingdales and Macy’s - do you have any suggestions on what our first steps should be in getting contacts? We have been told that the industry is very clickish, what can you recommend for us?