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.
Hey, i recently started a clothing company called Rebul Clothing, Co. Im just about done with doing all of the legal procedures for the company and recently got my first batch of 500 shirts. My question to any of you with experience on the subject is.....
What steps do i have to follow to be able to sell my clothing in stores.
I am based out of Miami, Florida, so the location for fashion is no problem. This is a very superfisial city so the way you look is most important to people.
i need to know basically how to get in contact with the companies i want to do business with. Does it take much for them to accept my line?
I basically need as mush information on the matter as possible. I have an online store with checkout and all, but i need bigger. I want to be able to be in the mall and run into my clothes in 4 or 5 different stores.
find out exactly which stores you want to be in, get all their info, find out if you can make an appt to come and show your stuff or send in a lookbook. [make lookbooks, or at least a linebook. a lookbook is photos of all your clothing, best on a model, with info & prices,etc. a linebook is same thing but technical sketches instead. both are seasonal, to show your present 'line']
or, just get a sales rep who works in the industry at your pricelevel/type of style, who knows where to market your stuff.
as you know, fashion is all about presentation, so make sure you're ready to meet these companies when you contact them.
also, as you probably know, the fashion industry is a sheisty one, so pls watch out for EVERYTHING...
good luck!
I agree with Natasha 100%! Even if you just call a store that you like that you think might carry your stuff. That's what I did and I already have a store willing to take my gear when it's ready and all i did was call them and ask.
What i did for my brand(DNR Clothing)we do MMA Clothing in Australia,
So i called two MMA Stores, and asked them if they had DNR Clothing, And ofcourse they didnt, but i sounded surprised that they didnt have them, and just thanked them and hung up, then i got all my friends,family even customers to call them and ask for DNR Clothing.
i did this for about a week straight to both stores, then i called and asked to speak with the manager of the store, and told them who i was and what i do,and ask if i could come down and show them my brand, and all they could say was...."All we have been hearing is DNR DNR DNR DNR!!!"
it worked well, and got some two great wholesale deals.
Trust me, try it, and if it doesn't work, then keep trying, get as many people as you can to call them,email them, get on there facebook pages,twitter etc and get everyone to keep asking.
What i did for my brand(DNR Clothing)we do MMA Clothing in Australia,
So i called two MMA Stores, and asked them if they had DNR Clothing, And ofcourse they didnt, but i sounded surprised that they didnt have them, and just thanked them and hung up, then i got all my friends,family even customers to call them and ask for DNR Clothing.
i did this for about a week straight to both stores, then i called and asked to speak with the manager of the store, and told them who i was and what i do,and ask if i could come down and show them my brand, and all they could say was...."All we have been hearing is DNR DNR DNR DNR!!!"
it worked well, and got some two great wholesale deals.
Trust me, try it, and if it doesn't work, then keep trying, get as many people as you can to call them,email them, get on there facebook pages,twitter etc and get everyone to keep asking.
I love this idea, talk about thinking outside of the box. I am going to try using soem of the similar tatics you have mentioned and i shall let you know how it goes. thanks.
237am I was just checking out your site, you have an impressive line up of featured artists. if you dont mind me asking what is your brackground seeing as though you have an indept connection to so many great artists.
The success of your clothing store will in large part depend on the right product mix. This depends on your store concept, finances, space, and the expected turnover rate. Be sure to select your merchandise carefully to meet your market's needs, and keep up with fashion trends by attending trade shows.
Selling Your Clothes To Retail Stores 
