Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
Yes, I've been on hiatus for a bit here, miss my TSF comrades.
As most of my fellow TSF comrades are aware, I attended Magic and Project this month. I did not get the opportunity to attend Pool because I got VERY, VERY SICK. I was absolutely miserable. First, I must say though, I had the flu before leaving for Magic and yes, decided to go to Magic anyway, feeling sick. Well it got worse, I had to leave the show and go home early and see my doctor. I ended up getting bronchitis and laryngitis. I completely lost my voice that Wednesday at Magic. My doctor told me if I stayed there another day, I would of possibly have caught pneumonia.
Ok, so this is what happened at the show.
I was wearing my line as I walked through Magic and Project. I also had my colleague wear my men's line. We were the walking advertisements. I got LOTS of compliments on my tank tops and t-shirts. The designers exhibiting wanted to know where I got them from and I told them it was mine. I also got compliments from the buyers. We networked through all three days. It was grueling because I was coughing like a mad woman however I stuck it out and kept networking. I was invited to go to Maxim, FHM and Hustler's after parties and could not go. I spent all nights at my hotel room sick as a dog. I made some viable contacts at the show. I met with 3 fashion magazine editors in hopes of getting an editorial of my line. They showed interest and wanted to have ALL my designs and catalog in tact before they can put their thinking caps together. I am doing my photoshoot mid March. My models will be wearing ALL of the t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies. I will be coordinating this for my website, catalog and for promotional/advertising and PR purposes.
Also, I am meeting with a high end boutique buyer mid March and am going to meet with the head buyer of Fred Segal, the "pen in hand" buyer late March to early April. If you don't know of Fred Segal, Fred Segal is the hottest and trendiest, most successful high end boutique in Los Angeles. Fred Segal is where high profile celebrities, actors, recording artists, etc. shop. This is huge for me and my company and could potentially be a big order. I made a direct contact through someone I met at an entertainment and fashion event this past Wednesday night. My friend came with me to the entertainment and fashion event and people asked where he got the shirt from and they all wanted one. So I handed them out to them as giveaways (because they are industry people), they kept saying that the shirts were super soft and loved the tagline to it. Funny thing is I got an email from a few people who said that they saw my shirt on someone and wanted to know where to get it. I want let you know also that on the back of my men's shirt, there is a website which is more like a question than the name of my company. When people log on to the site, it is then re-routed to my company's website, which is a catchy name. My website isn't up yet however when people log on, it has my company's information and where to email for inquiries, comments and newsletter updates.
I also met someone who owns an art gallery here in Los Angeles and wants to coordinate a fashion show for indie designers. The art gallery features abstract art like Picasso. Its a great gallery. There would be an art showing in the gallery and outside will be a runway fashion show where independent designers would be able to show their line. The art and fashion media, press, publicists, buyers, magazine editors, dealers will be attending the show by special invitation. This would very much be great exposure for any independent designer. Anyway, the owner of the gallery wants me to coordinate the event and also asked if I was interested in being one of the indie designers to be featured at the show. I said, "Hell yea"! I told her I would scout indie designers at Pool however that did not happen because I got sick . I will scout other indie designers in L.A.
In closing, I did pretty good at Magic and Project, just by being the walking advertisement, hustling and talking to people. You just gotta get yourself noticed somehow when there is an opportunity. I for one, just walked into the group of people chatting and introduced myself and made them notice my shirt. It worked! I got some pre-orders, I'm meeting a boutique buyer and a major buyer in late March and made contacts to fashion magazine editors.
I hope everyone else is doing well. I'm still trying to recuperate.
Last edited by RisingBlue7; February 23rd, 2007 at 11:40 AM.
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Gail:
Welcome back!!
Sorry you're sick, but it sounds like you made some major contacts and really got publicity for your line.
Keep on truckin girl, you're gone be a huge success!
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Cortney! Hey you!
I meant to email you last week to let you know my friend's brother, just opened a high end clothing boutique for kids in Orange County. He just opened 4 months ago and will be written up in a community magazine. I'll email you the details. Hope you and your line are doing well
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrad
Gail:
Welcome back!!
Sorry you're sick, but it sounds like you made some major contacts and really got publicity for your line.
Keep on truckin girl, you're gone be a huge success!
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Hi Gail,
I'm a new member of the forum and your post caught my eye in regards to marketing, etc. I'm brand new to the shirt business and my target market is the baby/toddler market......not to sound like the complete novice that I am what is magic, project and pool?? Also your line sounds fantastic I'd love to check it out sometime! Please let me know when your site is up! Thank you so much,
Trayce
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Hi Trayce,
Magic, Project and Pool are 3 major fashion/clothing tradeshows.
Magic is the largest in the industry. With over 100K clothing industry people from buyers, merchandisers, designers, media, press, manufacturers, etc. The show features mainstream established brands such as Diesel, Guess, True Religion and other related established brands. In other words, the BIG NAME BRANDS.
You would need to show credentials to get into the show. The shows are not open to the public. They are for the sole purposes for buyers to view new lines and place orders.
All 3 shows are owned by Magic aka Advanstar. They are held twice a year in Las Vegas, Feb and August. I go every year.
I can send you images of my line if you want. Send me a private message. My site will be up in late March once the photoshoot, catalog and advertising material is complete. I will add you to my newsletter.
Is your baby/toddler line along the lines of Kingsley?
Quote:
Originally Posted by trulytrayce
Hi Gail,
I'm a new member of the forum and your post caught my eye in regards to marketing, etc. I'm brand new to the shirt business and my target market is the baby/toddler market......not to sound like the complete novice that I am what is magic, project and pool?? Also your line sounds fantastic I'd love to check it out sometime! Please let me know when your site is up! Thank you so much,
Trayce
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
hey how you doing, just wondering,,,RisingBlue7, what kind of style is your brand? is it urban, high end, retro, etc,,,and if you had a website of yours i could check out, i like checking out new brands out there,,and from the sound of it, sounds good
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Gail,
Glad to know you met w/a lot of people. Sorry about your sickness. it happens, we're human. But it was very nice reading your post. Glad to know that the real fashion world still have nice people. I'm joking. Anyway, I'm planning to go to Pool this August, very nervous, i feel like i have nothing to show for, but I'm going to have to bust my butt off to get everything prepared for my line. Any advice or tips would really be a big help.
And like JonWye asked, how much is a booth going to cost? Thanks
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool
Ahem, indie designer in LA, ahem....heheh. I'm glad to see you back here (I just returned as well...it's been craaazy)! It seems like you had a positive experience at the shows (minus your health). See you around!
Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool 
I was absolutely miserable. First, I must say though, I had the flu before leaving for Magic and yes, decided to go to Magic anyway, feeling sick. Well it got worse, I had to leave the show and go home early and see my doctor. I ended up getting bronchitis and laryngitis. I completely lost my voice that Wednesday at Magic. My doctor told me if I stayed there another day, I would of possibly have caught pneumonia. 
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool 
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool 
Re: Marketing your line at Magic, Project and Pool 
