Purses and shoes are popular accessories for women.
A purse and shoe designer must have the fashion know-how and creativity to create handbags and shoes that either survive fashion trends or define them. Starting a business designing purses and shoes will require much research and creativity as well as networking with the proper vendors so your designs can be sold in stores. With a little luck, you may be as successful as Alexander Knight, whose purse Hillary Swank carried on the red carpet at the Oscars.
Instructions
1. Develop a sketchbook of your best shoe and purse designs you want to market. Choose classic designs a woman of any background would be interested in and designs that may be more unique. List the fabrics and materials you would like each purse and shoe will be made of.
2. Create prototypes of your favorite shoes and purses by purchasing the necessary fabrics and materials to create them. Find various fabrics for your shoes and purses either online or at fabric stores in your area, or through wholesale distribution companies overseas like Tradekey.com. If you are unfamiliar with sewing, take fashion and shoe design courses at a fashion school or community college in your area.
3. Work with other stylists and designers to see if they will allow their models to wear your purses or shoes either in print or in fashion shows. Fashion designers, photographers and stylists can be found at sites like Modelmayhem.com or at art schools. Check the local arts and leisure section in your newspaper to view any upcoming fashion shows where you can meet and network with certain fashion designers. Contact fashion merchandisers in department stores and boutiques who may be interested in your designs.
4. Locate boutiques and consignment shops in your area and speak to the owners to see if they will be willing to sell a few pairs of your shoes and purses in their stores so you can build a consumer base. Find factories overseas to mass-produce your shoes and purses when the time comes.
5. Create a website showcasing your handbags and shoes so you can build an online presence and attract buyers and merchandisers from other states. Use website templates (free or paid) like Templatemonster.com. Hire a freelance web designer from sites like Getafreelancer.com or Elance.com. Use social networking sites like Facebook to create custom shoes and purses for individuals looking for one-of-a-kind designs.
6. Look for trade shows that occur in places such as Las Vegas, New York and California cities where buyers can view your designs and you can attempt to get them mass-produced and sold in stores. Use online trade show directories to find the necessary fashion shows and trade shows to attend.
Tags: shoes purses, your shoes purses, fashion shows, sites like, your area
