Thank you everyone for the great response to the Part 1 of this post! I was delighted to hear your comments and feedback. It's great to know that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing!
So, as I've mentioned, every designer has his/hers own ways of presenting their creations. I asked 4 of my favourite handmade designers a few questions on this topic.
Thank you lovely ladies for taking time to answer the questions! There are some great advices there. Enjoy!
Tina, Georgie Girl
(Plushka had Tina over last year for a tea and a chat, read the interview here)
Do you release your items in collections or as you create them?
I tend to release items in 'batches' or collections because I find it easier to manage in regards to my workload and my customers tend to request buying items in sets as coordinates so it is just generally easier.
Why do you prefer this way?
If I can concentrate on sewing non-stop for a few weeks while I prepare stock I then find it easier to sell everything at once and package and send everything at once. For me it's all about efficiency.
When you create a collection, where do you start?
I always start with a fabric. If I see a fabric I love, I research it and find out if I can source enough of a supply. I then think about when I can manage to get a collection of clothing made from it and plan my seasons.
Why do you name your collections? Do you think name is important?
I tend to "see" a theme when I look at fabrics and fabric collections. Prints usually conjure an idea or inspiration for me and so by giving my finished clothing collection a name it usually inspires the same feelings and thoughts for my customers. I feel that customers like order and ease when buying and discussing my items. Using collection names assists them in that regard.
Do you have any advice on building a good collection?
Always let your collections be inspired by your fabric choices. If you see something that makes you think of a place/era/season/theme then build on that. Don't try to force it, just go with what your gut is telling you and let that show through your finished collection. Always take into consideration what people generally lean towards according to the season. If you are creating a Winter collection consider darker, richer colours. A Summer collection should be lighter, breezier and brighter as a general rule.
Do you release your items in collections or as you create them?
I used to release my designs as I created them as I am a bit of a butterfly. My nature is to flit and fly from one idea to another on a whim. However, I have found that my customers love to buy my designs as a set of three or more, so this year I have started to create more "collections" to give my customer more choice.
When you create a collection, where do you start?
I've actually never really thought about how I start my designs, Ii have always just gone with my gut instinct and creative ideas. When I start my collections, I usually start by roaming around my local paper shop. Mostly I go with an idea floating around in my head and as I walk around the shop, a paper usually grabs my attention and the ball starts rolling from there. If I walk out paperless (which is very rare!!) then I know for sure that idea is not strong enough to push forward. I tend to put these ideas on the back burner and come back to them at a later date, when I'm in the mood.
Why do you name your collections? Do you think name is important?
I love naming my collections, not only to make them more easily identifiable to my customer (it makes ordering my products, as I have so many designs, much easier), but also because, as I am designing and creating them, they do tend to take on their own personality and identity. It's only right that they have their own name too. The name is also important to create a mood and ambience for that particular collection.
Do you have any advice on building a good collection?
I think the best way to build a good collection is to solely concentrate on that collection when you are putting it together (mmm...I should take my own advice on that one!!) Have a set number of items that you would like to produce and then choose the designs, possibly your most popular and try and stick to what you decide. Make sure the colours, fabrics, materials and the name you choose, come together to create the all round feel you want to portray.
Kylie, Tiges and Weince
Do you release your items in collections or as you create them?
I release as I go only because the product I design & create doesn't need to be "too" seasonal as they are interior products for the house/bedroom only. Of course colours change but not to represent a seasonal change, unlike a clothing range would. I do however cull a lot of my work that hasn't sold as well as I had hoped & keep items that have sold well. I have a basic core range of items that have proven excellent sellers, & I just couldn't possibly remove them from my shop. Sometimes I create a new colour ways just for variance, or sometimes I create a new version of the current one.
Why do you prefer this way?
I like to work this way as ideas & inspiration can hit at any time & it is good to get that idea out & created before it's lost.
Do you name your collections? Do you think name is important?
No naming any collections unfortunately, I have so many different designs & no designs are are created around one thought of inspiration. I just name each product individually, selecting something to reflect the design.
Do you have any advice on building a good collection?
A good collection takes time & I believe is a reflection of your own style. As you build collections your own handwriting comes through. I do believe a good collection must be cohesive meaning that the collections of items you have designed & created, flow easily from one to another. Again I believe it all comes down to your own style coming through.
Do you release your items in collections or as you create them?
When I first started boondie baby, I released items as I made them. It was a fun and free way of creating, but then I was being asked a lot if I had any fabric left for an extra item etc. As the business grew, I got a feel for what customers were after and I had the opportunity to release collections within our range, which means we're now able to offer complete looks for your child's nursery or room.
Why do you prefer this way?
Releasing full collections was really the next step for my Nursery Linen business as I can now offer most of our key products with matching accessories. Which over time was what customers were after and also the direction I wanted to see us grow. I know myself, I like to have linen that matches and compliments each other, so it came naturally for boondie baby.
When you create a collection, where do you start?
I start with choosing fabric I love. Since our products stay the same, I get to have fun searching for new designs and colour palettes to play with. We aim to offer at least 3 ranges of fabric designs for Boy, Girl and Unisex little people, so I like to keep my designs fresh and simple, with colour being the main attraction. I used to worry if people would like what fabrics I chose, but when I picked the fabrics that I was naturally drawn too, those designs were always the best sellers. So I learnt my lesson pretty quick!
Why do you name your collections? Do you think name is important?
I do think naming the Collections is important as it helps customers recognise the difference between others you may have available. It gives each collection a clear direction and helps when advertising the range.
Do you have any advice on building a good collection?
I think the best advice I was given regarding any area in building your business, whether it's collections, fabric choices, quantities or advertising - Go with your gut. It's your business and product that you work hard for. I personally like to keep our collections simple, with great images and clear descriptions. It's very important that each product compliments the other within that collection, which ends up knitting the name of the collection with the designs.
So, you got inspired to start releasing your items in the collections, what is next?
Yearly planning
Have rough idea when new collection are to be released so you have something to work up to. Something like standard Easter and Christmas and two/three more in between, depending on your time. Brains storm ideas or look through your notebook and see how many new creations you've got in mind. Write them down and put aside.
*Plan your advertisement then, with new collections in mind. However, make sure you give yourself a few weeks room so there is no stress of advertisement coming up and you are not ready. Booking ads well in advance might, sometimes, save you money and time. Some website have early bird specials but don't advertises certain date of the new collection, just general info so you don't disappoint.
Monthly planning
Now, you've got your collections in pencil, give them names. Start with name of the month you plan to release it if the name doesn't come to you straight away. Allocate your existing products to them, then take that new ideas list and see where your new ones fit. That's when 3 types of the items come in. Make sure each collection has all this items represented.
If you've got a wonderful new idea but it doesn't fit in existing or new collection? Write it down. It might be a start of the new collection but if it's only one thing that you would like to try, make it a Limited addition range that can be just release in between collections. But make sure it's real limited edition that won't be released over and over again.....
By allocating new ideas to the certain, already existing, collection, there is always something new and you don't leave yourself at the "have to create something new" point. It really stressful! Trust me, I know how tempting it is to show something you are woking on, I myself still haven't perfected the art of "holding back" new items. Nevertheless, you can always show a sneak pick of the new arrivals, it's always fun!
The End.
