If you’re any type of artist in today’s world, you know very well how competitive the industry is. You probably also know that getting noticed isn’t exactly the easiest task in the world. But thankfully, there are ways to sneak above the competition and stand out.
The world of fashion, just like anywhere in the design space, is teeming with raw talent. The problem is, most up-and-coming designers don’t know where to begin when it comes to getting their designs noticed, or in front of the right people.
Getting your designs in front of the eyes of industry leaders is the best way to get your brand noticed so you can start earning from your talents. And there are several strategies for doing this.
If you’re a blossoming fashion designer and you want to get your designs noticed, here, we’ll outline a few of the best ways to market yourself in 2024.
Make a Name for Yourself
If you think about it, you wouldn’t even remember some of the biggest names in fashion if they didn’t have something that you associate with them.
Names like Chanel, Versace, Tom Ford, and Michael Kors all have one thing in common; brand awareness. These particular brands are associated with wealth, high quality, and affluence, and anyone who can afford to wear these brands is also associated with those same qualities… What qualities and features do you want your brand to be associated with?
So what is brand awareness? Brand awareness is the extent to which consumers recognize a particular brand or the attributes that they associate with a particular brand. For example, you might notice a particular logo or label. Or perhaps it’s a color scheme, a pattern, or even a brand philosophy. Essentially, this is what a brand symbolizes for you as a consumer, and it’s that very thing that will put your name and brand top of mind when people see it.
But how do you make a name for yourself that others will recognize? Well, literally, make a name for yourself.
You can start small using clothing labels or logos. And you can craft or customize these labels at Wunderlabel.com along with several other items you might consider for marketing purposes.
Choose a Niche
Big-time designers don’t have to obey this rule. But you’ll find that on average, many of them stick to a particular niche throughout their careers.
Picking a niche is a recommended strategy for any creative professional. Whether a writer, an artist, a dancer, an actor, or a musician, when you first start your career, you don’t want to be all over the map. You want to narrow your focus in order to build an audience.
The good news is, once you get further along in your career, you can always branch out and explore other niche markets. But for the beginning stage, it’s best to play it safe and build your following in a particular sector.
For example, you could specialize in men’s attire, or get really specific and focus your efforts on women’s pantsuits. You might also consider even narrower markets such as maternity clothing, or bows for infants. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
But you also can’t forget to do your market research for your niche. Based on your location and the niche you choose, would you feel it’s safe to say that your niche would be successful? Is your niche popular in your local area or worldwide? Do people actually wear it?
Once you get answers to those questions, you’ll be able to determine whether or not your niche will be successful.
Get Yourself Noticed
No matter how good you are, or how naturally talented you are when it comes to fashion, none of this is going to be worth anything if you don’t get yourself out there and show off your designs. For the introverted fashion designer, this might be a challenge for you but it’s indeed a must for your brand and your business.
Those leather rompers you have in the closet will never get sold if they never see the light of day. So you’re going to have to force yourself out of your comfort zone, even if you think your designs are total garbage (and if you feel that way about your own designs, why even sell them in the first place?).
Getting noticed means getting your designs in front of other people. But which people? Those working in the fashion industry will have leads and contacts that can point you in the right direction. So, attend trade shows, go to fashion shows and take your designs with you. Attend conferences and workshops, or anywhere where others in your industry hang out. It’s a great idea to even join your local chamber of commerce to know what’s going on in your town. At the very least, you’ll get to meet other small business owners in the area that you can network with. They may have a space for your clothes in their boutique or a company may want you to design the uniforms for their employees… you just never know, but the opportunities are limitless when you put yourself out there, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you — Now, if you actually enjoy socializing and networking, this endeavor will be a piece of cake for you!
Being a creative person in the world today isn’t easy. In fact, it’s a hard dime no matter which way you cut it. But being persistent and keeping your work hat on at all times will work wonders for you in the long run.
Without putting yourself out there, choosing a niche, or making a name for yourself, your fashion designs will never get noticed. Incorporating these aspects into your strategy may not necessarily get you on the same level as Chanel, Michael Kors, or Coach but it’s a great start to building your brand and career in the world of fashion design.
