FOR ALL ON HYPEBEAST THAT ACTUALLY RUN A CLOTHING LINE &COULD CALL IT A REAL BUSINESS

[modernART]

Okay so rather than focusing on the whole fashion side of a clothing company, I want to actually focus this post on the business side of it.

First off, how much capital must one have to actually start a line. Maybe a run of about 5 shirts and about 3 hoodies. The costs of production would vary, right? Depending if you custom do it yourself or if you go to a company to screen your shirts.

Also, what blank shirts/hoodies do you guys find the best to work with as far as shrinkage goes, thread quality, etc. And how much in bulk is a decent amount to buy?

And obviously, you gotta have a website. What are the better website hosting companies out there that are cheap, effective, simple to use, and have a shopping cart feature?

Also, I was watching BET's Ultimate Hustler and one guy said, "I promote my music as much, and maybe even more, than the time i actually spend working on music and composing." How does that hold for you guys out there? Do you guys spend time with promoting and marketing as much as the time you would spend on designing a shirt or product from your line.

Any feedback would help.

Thanks.

[Tronics]

I would say before you start anything you need to realise that whatever money you put in you wont get back in and instant...

As you well know now the market is saturated more so in the USA, meaning your product either needs to stand out like and sore thumb or promoted by the 'cool guy' camp...

Either way nothing is guaranteed...

I've worked with some 'big' and 'small' brands in the past, and the core ingredient to all their success was believing in their product, and doing it for the love...If you produce stuff for the love the things will grow organically without you having to push yourself to hard....

I know like most that LOVE within the clothing/fashion industry is very hard to come by. That’s why companies like The Hundreds are so highly regarded because they actually offer help.

But like with anything research is the main word. No one who's doing what they're doing will come on the net and tell you all their suppliers, dealers and blanks they use. Its common wisdom really...

I defo isn't a 'cool guy' i had no links, or info. But through research I’ve been able to find suppliers, contacts and methods of doing things. Asking questions sometimes does help, but you need to contact the right people in the first place, which will make things alot easier...

In conclusion, just browse the net, look in your local phone book, find some start up brands, ask them if you can visit, see how they do things. Contact screen printers ask them for general info. Myspace, loads of designers etc have accounts on there show an interest, im sure they'll welcome it...