So You Want to Be a Plus-Size Fashion Designer

by Yuliya Zeltser of Igigi for Elegant Plus Magazine

Many of you are very interested in the fashion design field; but don’t  know how to get started. Recently, the managing editor of Elegant Plus, Thea Politis,  approached me and asked me to share my experiences, as well as some insider tips for beginners. I thought this was a great idea, since approximately five years ago I was in the similar position of a novice, starting my own plus-size designer fashion company. Today, Igigi is a very successful company, with thousands of curvy fashionistas wearing our exclusive designs worldwide.

Plus-size clothing is the fastest growing sector of the women’s apparel industry in the United States today, so now is a great time to get into the business.  But it is also an ultra-competitive industry, with many failures due to lack of proper preparation, lack of understanding of the full-figured market, and poor business skills.

What Does a Plus-Size Fashion Designer Do?

The main job of a plus-size fashion designer is to conceptualize and create clothing designs that will fit and flatter women’s full-figured bodies. Additionally, there are other duties that can be performed by a designer such as planning production, merchandising of the clothing collection, as well as helping to market your own creations.

To be successful in this field there are certain necessary basic skills. The first one is, of course, the skill of design. This means comprehension of basic fashion design techniques and principles, knowledge of apparel construction and patternmaking, understanding mass production, as well as the ability to deliver flat technical design drawings with specifications for production. A flexible, creative problem solving approach to design and the ability to come up with multiple possible solutions is also a must.

Originality is a necessary talent to have, as well. For example, a fashion designer must be able to create unique variations of popular trends, and adapt them to look flattering on a voluptuous figure. Other important skills are the ability to successfully communicate with the design team, and coordinate the design process. I also believe that an in depth knowledge of various women’s shapes and different figure specifics are also necessary to create flattering garments. Moreover, artistic talent is  crucial in fashion design, as well as a strong sense of form, aesthetics, color balance and proportion, and an eye for detail.

Many of these skills have to be a natural part of the individual - the raw talent, if you will. However, I strongly believe that formal training and education play a key role in the success of a designer.

Education and Preparation

There are several ways to obtain a fashion design education. Many aspiring designers begin at top post secondary design schools like the Parsons School of Design in New York, or Academy of Art in San Francisco. If you’re serious about reaching the top in this field, it is a good idea to make an effort to attend such a school.

However, in my opinion, very effective fashion design training is also obtainable in a two-year vocational school. Usually students will receive an extensive preparation and design skills, as well as some exposure to the garment industry. Many of these programs are also available in community colleges.

After graduating, many people acquire as much experience in the real working environment as they can get. Many find internship positions with already established fashion designers or apparel manufacturing companies. Developing a comprehensive portfolio while in school will help get these internship opportunities.

Many graduates often begin as Design Room Assistants, an entry-level position that allows them to develop their skills and even possibly grow within the company. Others begin as Design Assistants, a much more responsible position that offers right-hand help to a lead Designer. Check the Elegant Plus Fashion Jobs board and other fashion industry job boards for opportunities in the plus-size designer field.

It certainly takes time, enormous amounts of patience, and dedication to succeed in this industry. However if you have the passion for design, tenacity, perseverance and willingness to constantly grow and evolve as both a professional and an individual, this could be a profession for you.

I think that every aspiring plus fashion designer should honestly ask her/himself a question: is she/he willing to work for several years for free, or minimal compensation?

If your answer is “yes”, than this is a job made for you. The good news is that a Plus-size industry is the fastest growing segment in the apparel industry, and the quantity of jobs related to fashion design for plus-sizes will grow tremendously in the next few years.

Financial Opportunities in Plus-Size Design

Now let’s talk about financial opportunities in the field.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics an average annual income for fashion designers in 2003 was $64,030 a year. Many earn a lot less. However, many top designers can earn up to $100,000 within the straight size industry. In my opinion, as the plus-size segment gets larger and more popular, so will the opportunity to become a top designer, receiving larger compensation.

Many designers, including myself, choose to work independently and start their own fashion labels. However, this choice also comes with a heavy price. A need to be ready to work 14 -18 hour days, with no compensation for as long as 3 years could be in-store for the young entrepreneurs…..as it was for me. However, success of the brand is one of the most rewarding pay offs.

My suggestion for the young fashion design entrepreneurs who want to start and run their own label is to  enroll in  some kind of the business training, in addition to your more creative coursework. This will help you to create a business plan, marketing plan and expose you to various resources for financing. Many of these educational programs are also available to women and minority groups for a nominal cost. It is wise to research these programs in the area where you live.

It is always better to start a fashion design business in a location not too far from a garment district. A major benefit is that you will have direct access to sewing contractors, fabric and trim suppliers. Some popular places that I am familiar with are, of course, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta and Dallas. Many smaller cities also have garment manufacturing friendly areas. It is a good idea to do your homework and research this in your city or town. Many states (such as California) require that designers opening a business pass a special test and pay a hefty registration fee. Contact your local authorities to find out if this applies in your area.

Lastly, I would like to add that I am convinced that if you truly believe that you can accomplish something, and don’t let anything get in your way, all the challenges that you will experience will turn into opportunities…. what along the way some termed as ”impossible” will become a reality.

About the Author

Yuliya Zeltser is the founding and lead designer of the plus-size clothing company Igigi.  She believes that words like “ample,” “opulent,” “curvaceous,” and “voluptuous” should be mainstays in the fashion dictionary. It is important to accentuate and celebrate the beauty and sensuality of the female figure rather than cover it up with piles of fabric. She is as passionate about creating unique, fashion-forward, stylish and great fitting clothes, as she is about changing the way our society defines feminine beauty.  Among other venues, her designs have been worn by contestants in the Miss Plus America pageant and on the red carpet by Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky.

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More Resources

Elegant Plus Fashion Job Board - find a job in the industry

Elegant Plus Designer Fashion Listings - who’s already in the field

Books on Plus-Size Style - understanding body shapes, silhouette, fit and proportion

Books on Fashion Design - learning the skills of fashion design

Books on Plus-Size Sewing and Knitting - resources, tips and tricks for great design

Books on Fashion Marketing - great design isn’t enough. How to reach your public

Popularity: 10% [?]

Money Talk for Women

How to Write a Business Plan

by Monica Rasso for Elegant Plus Magazine

Your dream might be to start your own fashion design company or open your own clothing store, but you don’t know where to begin!  The first thing you need to do is sit down over a period of weeks, even months, and do a bit of careful planning.  Chances are you will need to find investors in your dream, but even if you have the capital to start a company with your own resources, it’s best to have a solid business plan.

A business plan is vital to the success of your business. It is your roadmap to success! You wouldn’t start a long road trip across the country without a map! Why would you start your business, your dream, your hope without a plan? Besides being a directional and motivational tool, a business plan is important for obtaining financing from banks, venture capitalists and other start up funds. 

So where do you start? In writing a business plan, there are four main questions to consider: what, how, where and why. 

WHAT

1. What is my product or service? To answer this question, describe in detail exactly what you will be offering your customer. Describe the product or service in as much detail as you can. How is your idea unique? What value can you provide your customer? Why is this product or service needed?

1. What compensation do I offer any employees I may have? When do I plan to hire employees? Having a plan for when and if you will need to bring in employees can help your in organizing your business. You may site examples of when you would like to begin hiring.

1. What sources of help are available to me? It is important to know that help is available in planning your business. The local/state government, local college business advisors, Small Business Administration, and women business owners associations are all examples of service administrations available to help you financially and emotionally.

HOW

1. How do I pick supply and service vendors? What help can these companies provide for your business? For example, if you are starting a clothing store, where will you get your merchandise? How much time does a vendor need in order to get their product/service to you? You may begin to price the supplies necessary for creation of your product or service so that you can begin a budget. 

1. How do I fill customer’s orders or requests?  Will you provide a basic service or can customers do special requests? Who can you rely on to meet these special requests? 

1. How will I advertise my services?  Will you use local or national advertising? How much will all of this cost? What is the most effective use of advertising for your product? How do companies similar to yours advertise? 

WHERE

1. Where will I buy or lease an office/store? How big of a space do you need? What technology do you need? How will you transport, package, and/or deliver your product or service? 

1. Where will I get start-up funding? Bank, personal capital/savings, borrow from family/friends, or venture capital? You may want to look into possibilities of development capital from the Small Business Administration or women-owned business loans/programs or grants. 

1. Where do I want my business to be in five ten, fifteen, twenty years? Will you have more than one location? How will your business grow to be more profitable? Who can help you make this happen? 

WHY

1. Why should I choose a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? This question will require the assistance of a tax advisor. 

1. Why should I go into business anyways? What is driving you to open this business? 

Now that you have a business plan, what are you going to do with it? This plan should be used as your roadmap to start your business but also as a tool to look back on as your business grows and changes. Keep in mind that your success relies on your passion, commitment, and determination to reach your goals. Set goals and follow through! Put your dream on paper and make it happen! 

More Resources

Popularity: 12% [?]

Update: March 2007 from Elegant Plus MagazineThanks to all who participated, Cafe Press has now expanded it’s women’s t-shirt range up to size 5X!   Great job!!!  This will provide a platform for many of you to create t-shirts for your events and organizations!  

Cafe Press Plus Size Survey

Cafe Press - the fabulous spot on the net where you can design and print your own products - is about to expand their product offerings to include a full plus size line - possibly as large as 6X. In order to get it right, and find out what you - the user wants - they’ve asked us to help distribute a survey.

There are also extra opportunities to get involved for San Franciscans too…. who can help with fitting and modeling! So if you live in the San Francisco area and want more information include your e-mail address in the optional field.

Please, take a few minutes to answer their survey and help make plus size t-shirts in stylish styles available to print with your own logos and ideas! They might get more than t-shirts and sweatshirts in too….. but only if you speak up!

Link to Cafe Press Plus Size Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?A=113533930E21912

Survey closes, Friday February 17, 2006.

Thanks to all who participate!

Popularity: 7% [?]

Money Talk for Smart Women
Mommy-preneurs: What, why, when and how?

by Monica Rasso, Regular Contributing Author to Elegant Plus Magazine

Years of changing diapers, baby playgroups, and playing short order cook. When is the time to think about what the stay-at-home parent really wants to do? Here are some tips for the “what, why, when and how” when considering starting your own business as a mommy-preneur.

Why start a business? Motivation, or your “why” for doing something, is different for each person. Your “why” will be your driving force. Some stay at home parents think about making a few hundred dollars a month to help out with the bills or pay for an extra vacation each year. What will drive you to juggle the work you do as a homemaker (which pays generously with kisses and hugs) to work you do to bring in the cash money? 

When will you do it? As the school year has now started and children are acclimated to their routine, many moms are finding that they have some time to think about how they would like to spend their time. The time to start a business depends greatly on what you plan to do. Are you looking for a hobby or a life-long business? When considering a home business, there is much confusion out there about what to actually look for to determine what is right for you. If you are planning to build a business from home, it must be worth your time. 

What will you do? Doing something that interests you is vital for success. Is it important that you help others? Or would you rather work alone in a quiet environment? How will you do it? You might start with a work from home business opportunity that already exists. Or you may go out on your own and start your own company. You may be considering wedding/event planning, or some sort of artistic craft, or maybe another business where you produce the item for sale. You still have the flexibility to work your own schedule (usually). When you are the main producer of a product, you will sometimes be a “slave to your orders” when you have deadlines to meet. 

When thinking about compensation, a good idea is to build a business that will pay you up front, as well as many years to come, off of your one-time efforts. This “Residual Income” means that you are getting paid month after month; year after year, for work you do one time. It is very much like an insurance agent who sets up your policy once, but each year when you automatically renew. A few home-based businesses offer this type of income. 

If your business idea involves a one time payment, you may consider putting part of that in savings as your retirement income after your business stops. It would be wise to save for tax payment also. 

How will you start? Research the product or business idea. See if others are doing it already. Is there still room in the market for you to succeed? Seek out resources such as women’s small business counseling. Maybe take a business class at your local college, although there are some books on the market that may teach you more practical applications than a college class. Here are a few to check out:

1. 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Getting Started on the Road to Success (For Fun & Profit) by Priscilla Huff

1. The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century by Paul Edwards

1. Home-Based Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance) by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards, and Peter Economy

1. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business (2nd Edition) by Barbara Weltman

1. The 200 Best Home Businesses: Easy To Start, Fun To Run, Highly Profitable by Katina Z. Jones

After you do your research, figure out your upfront cost. How long will it take you to recoup that cost? Do you have the space at home for this business? How will you market/advertise? Who will mentor, train, and motivate you? Although there may be a lot of things to consider, the benefits of working for yourself in your own home are very rewarding! It just takes a little time and discipline to think about what to do and a plan. 

Popularity: 6% [?]