5 Ugly Truths About Starting a Fashion Brand

[@zoehongteaches]

Looking for a private video consult? calendly.com/zoe-hong My templates sketchbook is on sale! Use code "Back-to-school-sale" for 20% off! Aug 16-Sept 6, 2024 etchedstonepaper.com/products/zoehongsketchbook

[@phoebe4450]

I have nothing to do with fashion or product development but my algorithm knows I love videos about competent people passionately talking about their niche 🙏

[@lovelyanais]

“Stop making shit!” Write that down folks!!!!!!!!!

[@SachikoMiwako888]

@@lovelyanais ahahahaha! Yeah, I will!!!

[@Ellsped10]

About 20 years ago when the first Kate Spade purses came out (you know, the ugly stripes) my daughter, who has a great taste in clothes and would sometimes add to a design so I could make it for her, decided to start her own fashion business! When I tried to make her understand that it wasn’t going to be easy, she said that she’d read an article in a magazine that Kate Spade had started her business (or the ideas) from the kitchen in her home! 😂 The article of course didn’t mention that her husband was a Hollywood producer or that her home was probably worth millions and she had the resources to sell crap! 😂😂 I had to do all that research and bring the proof so she would get a reality check😮! Just so young people understand a little bit! ❤❤

[@lrbolotin1227]

I’m on my first venture with made to measure handmade toddler shoes. I am testing different designs with a group of toddlers and the first round I had issues with 80% of the samples! This is not a walk in the park; if you want to offer a quality product, it won’t be overnight.

[@zoehongteaches]

It’s not easy! Good luck!

[@lrbolotin1227]

@@zoehongteaches Thank you ❤️🙏🏻

[@LaurenCheriSOCFI]

How do they not grow out of them by the time you hand make shoes to order? lol

[@lrbolotin1227]

@@LaurenCheriSOCFI Haha. They don’t grow THAT fast, and the shoes actually “grow” with them for a while because of the materials they’re made of. It takes me 3-5 days to make one (working part time), so basically one week and a half total by the time they get it. These are intended to be a first shoe for babies that have been barefoot by parents choice; usually by that age they are already growing a little slower.

[@dreamaesthetic3597]

Omg tell me about it!! I’ve gone through this

[@autumn_b905]

I took a sewing class at F.I.T. and it was not easy. But I learned a lot about constructing a garment. You are 100% correct about needing to be educated in fashion design. It's a must

[@agolden999]

Did you have to apply and get in to take the class?

[@autumn_b905]

@agolden999 no. You can take classes as an non-matriculated student. Sometimes, you can even ask to audit the class so you are not taking it for a grade, but you still have to pay for the class

[@niamhtoday]

"If you fail at something that everyone swears is so easy to do in 3 easy steps, that's so damaging for your psyche" This video is giving me everything I need right now. I have been working on my brand for 3 years, launched 10 months ago and have made 4 sales. I felt like such a failure but the truth is I haven't completely worked out my angle because it's hard - you need to cover so many bases - especially if it's just yourself. Thank you Zoe.

[@zoehongteaches]

It's a ton of work. Good luck!

[@niamhtoday]

@@zoehongteaches Indeed, thank you Zoe!

[@gnanivla]

I am a graduate from the school where Zoe taught. One of the instructor taught me to do research by going to high end stores and feel the clothes. It helps me a lot as a designer, even now im still doing it for my brand and other clients

[@ajm935]

This is so real!!! This is the Kanye "HOW SWAY" conversation in a nutshell. You can't come from a world of selling screen printed t-shirts from your trunk and tell me it's so easy to run a non T-shirt based multi-million high street fashion brand. 😑 I work in corporate fashion for a very well known global brand and I always tell young designers to get a corporate job to learn all the pieces you will be missing before going out on your own! It's INVALUABLE to learn how to build a production calendar, to understand retail quality standards, to learn the legal and logistics side (your import duties can be so expensive due to one small styling detail and there are lots of labeling regulations you have to follow for safety and to avoid litigation), to understand costing and to get familiar with how much something should cost to make, to understand fabric and garment testing, and to make some vendor/ factory relationships!! It's especially important when working with overseas vendors to learn the tone and expectations you need to set early with anyone you are paying to help you produce a product. Everyone will take your money and give you garbage if you give them garbage directions to start with (it's a HIGHLY garbage in garbage out industry!!!) and don't even get me started on branding and marketing. I also tell them it's expensive to start so focus on making ONE thing REALLY WELL and build from the sales of that - I usually reference Cult Gaia and how they went from selling one bag for YEARS to having a full fashion brand now. I can't tell you how many people are just like WHY DON'T YOU JUST START YOUR OWN THING? I haven't because I fully understand what it takes to do it well!!

[@zoehongteaches]

I have a roster of successful fashion businesses who started with 1 product to tell my students. Adding Cult Gaia to the list!

[@gildedlillyproductions2943]

The hardest part has been finding manufacturers because no matter how many connections I make nobody wants to give up the information

[@stampcrab]

Nerdy journey and junky junk need to be part of my dictionary. This channel is always delightful to listen to, with business insight and an authentic voice. Great for fashion consumers such as me as well, not just fashion designers tuning in!

[@lissettehurtadoschoel7573]

Honest advice. Please make a part 2! 💎

[@yashwinitiwari]

Tbh I need her to make a 5 hour video 😭

[@lissettehurtadoschoel7573]

@@yashwinitiwari We need it! 🙏✨

[@aphrodisiakon]

I almost spat out my dinner when you said you will change your name to "Stop making shit". 😂Hahahah. Thanks for the video! Feels much better to have my feet planted back in reality once again. Back to the drawing board I go. 😊

[@zoehongteaches]

Good luck!

[@JillianSiobhanMal]

So much truth in one video! I feel like the only successful fashion-y small businesses are alterations and sellers on like Etsy that do an only few items in different colors. It’s a very expensive skill to even just practice for the most part.

[@allangradus1917]

Love to see a video which explores the quality of luxury price point clothing and difference in construction if possible?

[@A.R.W-f4z]

So glad you said all these things, they're so pertinent to that experience and I've not heard ever enough conversation about it

[@KaysFantasy]

Whenever someone tries to sell me something and acts it's AMAZING and it'll be soooo easy! I think of it as the good old (Sketchy) Snake Oil. 🙄

[@zoehongteaches]

Sketchy af!

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

Its amazing how many fast and easy videos are made and put on KZbin these days. I guess this is how fast fashion got started....lol. Nothing worth doing is fast or easy when quality is in the equation.

[@JetsetShawty]

Facts. It takes time and a lot of money to create a fashion brand. Now streetwear can be easy as 1,2,3.

[@carollane8694]

Some fabric suppliers do good deals on remnant bundles which can be really useful as it's a cost effective way to get your hands on lots of different fabric types to play around with. Colour and pattern isn't important it's getting the feel for the drape and hang and how it sews up.

[@alexanderpons9246]

Another fantastic and insightful video, thank you Zoe Hong! Love that you specifically mentioned that we need to take into account that the cost of sources from a bigger brand compared to an unknown make a difference. Far too often I hear people who want to create items and they use X Brand as their point of reference blinding them to think that that is the final cost they will pay for the item to be made, but when you are a small/independent vendor your cost it's not the cost of a bigger brand. Ms.Zoe Hong rain on our parades all you want, we can be delusional quite often!😄

[@zoehongteaches]

I don't think it's delusion--more like wishful thinking hahahah~

[@SachikoMiwako888]

Thank you-thank you for this informative & helpful content. Am trying to start my fashion brand & it's truly hard... 😅😅😅

[@zoehongteaches]

It's no joke! Good luck!

[@pablo_snps]

I jumped on the notification

[@estiloycontenido]

Ohhh, i might not be ready for this one, let me get some tea first

[@COD73045]

I really appreciate this video. I learned to sew in my highschool fashion and merchandising class,french seams and all. I left that school my junior year so i missed out on pattern drafting making. I won first place that year for a fascination scene that they didnt think i could do it because of the vogue pattern and material. I always wanted to go to FIT, to be a fashion designer,creative director, or stylist.

[@themarquis336]

“Future fashion designers” not knowing what luxury looks like is a huge thing. But you don’t even have to go as far as luxury - most people who claim to love fashion and want to be designers don’t even know what proper construction, sewing and ironing/pressing looks like. These people live in a void of ignorance thinking they know fashion because they watch McQueen fashion shows on KZbin and see pictures of the Met Gala on Instagram. Worst part is they don’t understand how little they actually know so they don’t make an effort to learn anything.

[@wwiinnggnnuutt]

Love the closing shot. ☕️

[@GabrielBaradee]

thank you so much for your video. I agree there are a lot of things one should consider when starting your own brand. I did it more then 15 years ago and still on the market and it always learning learning learning. thank you so much your channel is such an inspiration and role model.

[@Jairog399]

i love your channel so much! the things you teach are a lot of what my instructors would say when i was studying architecture. there's a lot of real world value in your words ♡

[@dreamaesthetic3597]

I went to fashion school (fashion marketing) and still struggled it’s not easy once you’re actually doing it! Especially if you care about quality! But I learned sooo much through my mistakes I’m much wiser and stronger now

[@air2air786]

❤ Zoe, I love you! You are so genuine and no nonsense. Beautiful!

[@renjiai]

My dream is to pretty much recycle clothes. Sort if by fiber, use what's usable, make patch work designs. Scraps getting turned to textile yarn and rewoven. But it would take lot of hands on work and every piece would have to be unique. I don't think it's a business practice that could support itself financially.

[@ChairVi1012]

I am making a fashion brand with my friends and we are doing everything you say we should do and we are not doing everything you say we shouldn’t do. We all finished the fashion design Institute, and we are all working very hard to pull out our fashion brand it is hard because we don’t have that much money but we are trying our best. Your video was very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@crystalneel748]

Thank you for speak the truth about a fashion business out loud! 🤩 Truth is always very sobering! Please do more content on the realities of small fashion businesses. Like I’ve had many creative small fashion business ideas but like you said…once Ive research looking into the actual details it’s all just not appearing to be a lucrative idea per time, materials & start up capitol that needs to be invested…I’m personally mostly interested in fashion thrift flip/redesign…and a little on personal shopper stylist/closet organizer.

[@khanyisilebotolo5636]

Love the hat, Zoë !😻Thank you for this informative video

[@triumphantakobi3485]

This is so timely! Cause I'm currently running a bespoke fashion brand but i intend to do full time Ready to wear and this is so so timely. Thank youuuu!😍

[@isKatKat]

I LOVE the hat!! Hat is everything! 🎉🎉

[@toddkvamme]

#truth,. So good Zoe. Thank you! I gained a lot from our brief consult/chat...still processing and figuring out exactly what I wanna do. Thanks again!

[@zoehongteaches]

Hope things are going well on your end!

[@iancpowell]

Zoe, seems like there might be some parts of the convenience v control section that could really be elaborated on. What are the things needed to maintain control while having healthy relationships to those providing convenience? I can see making sure that you can own the patterns developed with/for you, which may mean spending the money at the start. I know having listened to people in other business sectors talk about manufacturing like Andertons music in the UK, where they asked their manufacturing partner at a factory what the jump in quality that just spending 5 dollars per item gave them and the value for price point increased emencely, the dollar amount in fashion might be a little more, but i’m under the impression that asking something like that for your mid contemporary and up could result in a better product. That as a question might be how to get the best out of connivence with out being taken advantage of? For the intentions of having long term stability and viability.

[@IAmSavRenee]

I worked for LVMH & D&G With no Degree. Corporate though and 7 years in prior.

[@torialeigh2714]

Hi! What did you do for them? Design? Supplies? Modeling? Retail?

[@IAmSavRenee]

@torialeigh2714 I started in Accounts Receivable/Credit with a wholesale retail company. Then pivoted into Accountant, luxury retail. Took about seven years. All finance, sales, logistics, experience. Now I'm working on my own clothing line.

[@IAmSavRenee]

@@torialeigh2714 Finance

[@IAmSavRenee]

@@torialeigh2714 finance

[@QueenLizIsaiah]

You are such a vibe, Zoe! ✨ I love that your are open and transparent! You crack me up w/ the sass - as you SHOULD 😅 Thank you for sharing YOUR knowledge! 😁 Much love beautiful! 🧡

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@passion_in_progress]

I bought that mug so quickly. As a kid, I used to be that smarty that thought she could change the phrase practice makes perfect to practice makes permanent... (I hated when people told me this because it made me feel like if i just practiced itd be better which is true but then i thought if it wasnt perfect whats the point of practising 😬) Of course, here I am years later with a perfectionist habit I'm trying to break and learning how to enjoy the process. Coffee cheers ☕️

[@zoehongteaches]

Thank you! We are all on our own journeys and perfectionism is a hard habit to break. Good luck!

[@rosita061]

Great video. I have my own game company, not fashion. But much advice still holds up.

[@bohemiansusan2897]

I do very well with quality construction, its after the construction that goes wrong. I usually do alterations, mending and bespoke, but never gone past that despite my dreams. My education has a lot of holes in it. In college was part of the Home Ec at that time and the next year, it was removed. So I self-taught sewing to myself. Design is finally going well for me. Creating body blocks is a struggle because it wasn't taught in school. Mostly I had to unlearn most of what I was taught because it was wrong and the shoddy way to do it. These days people are able tell if my clothes are hand made because the quality shows. It fits right and I do things with quality fabrics and higher end construction techniques, my clothes last at least 7+ years with weekly wear and laundering. I'm still wearing the wool/mohair winter coat that I made back in 87. Its starting to wear out now. If people would stop wanting bespoke at Walmart prices....

[@Ataqs999]

I just bursted when you said you need money 😂😂. I would love to have a consultation with you someday ❤

[@lotter690]

Hi Zoe, good to see you well and with hat!! I love your video where there is just real talk. It helps me to get into the right direction. Looking at your list I am 4/5, only one nut to crack. Thanks for putting it at the forefront of my thoughts. I hope you do more of these videos!

[@surabhimalpani2596]

Hey Zoe, Just loved how you're spitting facts. Loved it, do make this kind of content❤

[@dreamaesthetic3597]

It’s not cheap guys you’re gonna need like 100k that will also cover mistakes and plan A B and C I’m serious I had 50k and it still wasn’t enough! Marketing is expensive. Professional videos, photos, hiring models, pattern makers, sample makers manufacturers,fabric, shipping, packaging it’s sooo expensive

[@yadad384]

I am so Glad I found your account! I learn so much

[@lunaroyale4555]

I'm very glad I found you on KZbin. Im a novice fashion designer, and trying to apply to fashion program at Maine College of Art and Design. Yes, in MAINE lol! But I have a niche that I've been working with the past 2 years, and its with upcycled denim. I want to get better at sewing and knowing different fabrics to help me become a better artist. I also plan to make small business too, however I need to get better at knowing the business side as well. Thank you for the helpful videos! I may commission for a portfolio review in the future. :D ♥🙂

[@Jujubbb]

Love your insights!! Fully support “stop making shit” 💕

[@MichaelMaibach-youw]

Yes, this tips are really real.

[@oscarzepeda1558]

We love you Zoe !!!! Hope you two are doing well in Oaktown !!!!

[@zoehongteaches]

💜💜💜 thank you, we’re doing great! Hope you are too!

[@idkwuzgoinon]

Very informative, thank you!

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@miracheraa5745]

I wish I could drop 1M thumb ups because I learned A LOT from this video. Thank you Zoe ❤

[@slacks100]

Zoe ,That Hat tho ... Swarovski ? Awesome advice

[@zoehongteaches]

Nope, a small business in Canada!

[@djm050]

I've been laughing this whole vid once you brought up the product testing lol. I've been on my first samples for awhile now let me tell you everyone here saying g quality doesn't happen overnight they aren't lying 😂😂😂

[@zoehongteaches]

It can be so, so hard. Good luck!

[@Mamadesigna]

You’re amazing love you! I watch all of your videos!

[@kindalegendary-mh4wk]

lol i love the hat soooo much - thanks for the video!!

[@onglesnailz5039]

Love this video!! thank you!!!

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@traveliowa301]

Thank you for the honest video ♡ My line is fairly early in- currently looking for someone to create my first samples 😊

[@zoehongteaches]

Good luck!

[@heinsmit8837]

Excellent advice.

[@borokakovrig9524]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! You are amazing! ♥

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@sewingincubator]

Oh Zoe!... You put into context so much of the confusing crap being put out there....🤩 - Yes, it costs MONEY 🤑 - If you want to complete with Dior, your resources need to out perform Dior 💰 - Don't get me started on the "T-shirt Fashion brand Bros" 🤬 - Ownership (patterns, markers, sourcing) is the only thing that guarantees control 📐 - If somebody is not interested in learning the basics of their business, why should I believe that they're going to be interested in paying their bills? 💣

[@cameronthedesigner]

I agree with you that there is over production and less sustainability.

[@anonchu]

I'm currently starting to self study fashion because I want to take a shot at starting my own clothing brand, something that I've been wanting to do since years now. Since I can only self study at the moment, how long do you recommend we spend building up our education before launching a brand? Or is it possible to do both side by side? I've heard that you should at least know the basics of fashion design before you start but how do you even know you have your basics covered?

[@zoehongteaches]

There's no real answer to that because it's a case by case basis. What did you study, did you actually study or snooze through a class, how good was the class, did you study topics focused on your brand offerings or were they general fashion ed, too many variables.

[@autumn_b905]

Thank you for this video and sharing this information. Do you have any suggestions on learning about fabrics? I visited SUNY FIT's website to learn if they taught classes on fabrics and surprisingly they do not have a class specifically focused on fabrics.

[@zoehongteaches]

There are a lot of great books on fabric. I have my favorites listed at amazon.com/shop/zoehong. Trial and error is best. So I would read some books, take notes on some you would like to experiement with, and buy some yardage and play!

[@autumn_b905]

@@zoehongteaches thank you. I will check out your list. I appreciate it.

[@AlexandraDebbrosse]

Can you please do a part 2 for more ugly truths😂

[@johnwebb5359]

Damn Zoe you are good. For you a Zillion thanks.

[@iiizz.y]

makeup on pointttttt

[@curtisanderson327]

This video is cooking!

[@tsuntsunsweetie]

Great vid!!!

[@zoehongteaches]

Thanks!

[@yrcy]

이건 들어야겠다 싶어서 왔어요. You are on point as always!! 저 일본으로 이사왔어요. :)

[@torialeigh2714]

Thank you for this video ❤

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@roos4228]

I want to start a business with high end dresses with 0% knowledge so I’m here learning

[@itsfreerealestate15]

is sparkly hat for the adhd studernts?! it works, the hat is amazing

[@PriscillaGezillaVanRooyen]

So informative🙏

[@Justcetriyaart]

Maybe its just us? Im not much of a fashion follower but just want some nice or comfortable and we're losing that. Like im not interested in shopping even if i up my price point cause things gotten so birning; low quality and way too much quantity

[@may4625]

Love ur videos ❤❤❤

[@zoehongteaches]

Thanks!

[@aley5853]

Gatekeepers are necessary i guess, some of this just sounds kinda jaded

[@niamhtoday]

Question for next video :) we are told to test out our products and understand the market first, but this is seems impossible without putting lots of work in (pattern making, markets, etc...). How can we launch a product but also know that it fills a market before we do so?

[@RivkahBen-Sorek]

why does professional pattern making and sampling require so many years of experience that you should outsource it? What could go wrong if I try to do it myself?

[@ejenn6639]

do you have any advice on taking a road to become a teacher/lecturer in fashion/textiles

[@zoehongteaches]

You'll need a degree in the field of study you want to teach. Most schools require a masters degree, but some schools will allow enough work experience to be sufficient instead. Look up on the school's website about their hiring policies. If you want teach something like illustration, you will likely need a portfolio.

[@andyynu]

Hi Zoe, The link you have for your fashion schools doesn’t direct me to where I can search for schools. It sends me to a link to window shutters instead, is there anyway I can get help with this ?

[@zoehongteaches]

Where did you find an old threaded link? I closed that site a while back.

[@andyynu]

@@zoehongteaches I was watching one of your old videos in your fashion school playlist. Sorry for the confusion

[@Tomi-wz8fk]

The truth. 🔥

[@marcosdiaz8377]

love it

[@jesamiehoughtby3591]

I don't understand how to get funding to start a brand or a collection. I would love to learn about that!

[@zoehongteaches]

If you're thinking about investors, they are typically only interested in products that are more like inventions, some breakthrough in innovation, not simply more clothes, unless maybe the fabric is a technological breakthrough. I have seen very very few crowdsourcing efforts work. You're probably looking at saving from a day job or a loan.

[@jesamiehoughtby3591]

​@@zoehongteaches I'm a fashion grad, and I work with latex. I resonate a lot with not simply more clothes. I have been feeling stuck in my career and watch a lot of your videos. Thanks so much for making them and taking the time to respond! I have been building a team in the industry and will consider loans more highly!

[@TealCheetah]

ngl, I clicked on another vid cuz of the hat

[@alexprophetejr1011]

💯

[@admori-adriana-morena]

Hey Zoe, do you teach Clo3d inside your patreon too?

[@zoehongteaches]

Nope, I don’t know how to use it.

[@esinonboard]

MOTHER