The fashion industry is very unique and dynamic. It's a wonderful industry to be a part of! Not everyone is a design director or an assistant designer. There are other major roles that assist in the process of development through production.
A fashion colorist is a person whose role is to approve lab dips and bulk fabric according to the color standards that the design team choses to use for each style. For example, the design team designs a scoop neck tee offered in six colorways which includes one print (tangerine, sun, turquoise, sand, grass green, rose print). The color standards are physically mailed to the production manufacturer. The color standards can be yarn swatches or Pantone color swatches. In the case of a print like our rose print example, the CAD (color aided design) team will produce artwork that the design team chooses to use. This artwork can be emailed or physically mailed to the production manufacturer.
The production manufacturer will send lab dip swatches to be approved before they proceed to make sales samples and proceed into bulk production. The colorist reviews the lab dips which should be in the desired fabric chosen by the design team. The lab dips will be received on a card with fabric quality details and color names of each lab dip. The lab dips are approximately 1" x 1" in size. The colorist reviews the lab dips against the design team's color standards in a color cabinet or what's popularly known as a light box.
Light box photo courtsey of Gester Instruments
The light box has different light settings so that the colors can be a sure match. Depending on the type of light box that's used, the color settings can range from incandescent, outdoor, department store and ultra violet. The fashion colorist approves or rejects lab dips sent from the production manufacturer by emailing comments to the manufacturer. For example, color comments can be as follows:
-Grass Green: Go 20% less blue. Send a 2nd submit for review
-Sun: Approved. Proceed with sales samples in this color
The colorist has a sharp eye and is great at organizing lab dip submits to bring into design status update meetings with the internal development team. The colorist also has a good filing system to refer to lab dip comments for future references. This is a very important position as it's the colorists enthusiasm and commitment to perfection that's needed to be in charge of this process.
If this sounds like a position that you're interested in, try working as an intern to get a feel of this position.
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012
What's a Fashion Colorist?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Collaborate for Growth & Success
Happy Birthday to the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This post is a reminder about collaborating with others to expand your market and reach more potential customers. So how does this relate to Mr. King? He collaborated with others who shared his views which allowed him to reach a wider audience. Here are just a few ways that King worked with others to bring more attention to his cause:
-The Southern Christian Leadership Conference
-The Poor People's Campaign
-The Sanitation Worker's Campaign
As we celebrate his birthday today and honor all of his achievements, let's explore how we can learn from his efforts by applying them to our fashion business. This could include joining fashion groups in your area, inviting other designer friends to help establish a local fashion week or donating to non profit causes.
Here's my favorite King tribute video. It's a great example of artist collaboration. There are so many wonderful artists featured like New Edition, Stephanie Mills, Fat Boys and Whitney Houston among a talented host of others. I can't imagine this song as a solo performance but as a group collaboration it's dynamic!
Wishing you All the Best in 2012!
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
How to Become a Fashion Designer 2
Fashion Designer, Juan Delgado answers this question in part two of his interview!
Juan's designs photographed by Ehsan Ababafha
In part two of this video interview, fashion designer Juan Delgado's motto is to just do it! That is, if you are talented and are thinking about becoming a fashion designer, there's no better time than now to showcase your talent to the world! Do it in a way that feels comfortable to you. If you want to start by showcasing your designs to family and friends, great! That's a start. Talent is a natural gift and sharing your talent makes your gift even more special. By sharing, you enlighten others to your creative world.
Juan definitely enlightened me in the second part of this interview as he discusses the cultural differences on the island of Hispanola between the African and French traditions.
Come and take a peak at Juan's portfolio! He's only in high school and already has had his own fashion show.
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Sunday, December 18, 2011
How to Become a Fashion Designer
Juan Delgado has the answer to this question!
Designer, Juan Delgado
Who is Juan? I met Juan in Tarrytown, NY and discovered his interest in fashion design. I noticed his desire and ambition which is truly magnetic and genuine. His love of fashion is truly amazing given his age. Juan is a senior in high school and has so much confidence and drive that he produced his very own fashion show featuring his unique designs. His fashion show was presented at the Tarrytown library earlier this year.
His idea is to share his talent now and not wait until he graduates from college which of course his major will be fashion design.
Come with us on this adventurous journey as Juan tells the story of his last memory of his native country and how it sparked an interest in fashion design!
This video is part one of two.
Enjoy!
***Turn your volume up more if needed to hear Juan's voice better :)
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Costing a Garment - The Real Scoop!
Ever wonder how apparel companies deal with costing their garments? I've just read an interesting article that I'd like to share! The company's name is Bento, they give their readers full transparency on costing one of their t-shirt styles. They break down the costs involved with the following:
*fabric cost
*pattern making cost for the t-shirt
*sample cost for having samples made to approve for fit
*grading the t-shirts for a size run
*labels and hang tag cost
*manufacturing cost for production
After the cost breakdown, Bento shares their profit for this particular t-shirt and openly shares the cost that they sell the t-shirt to their stockist (retailer), and the price that the retailer sells it to consumers.
"So, each t-shirt costs a grand total of $30.00 to produce. We sell them to stockists for around $40.00 and they sell them to you for around $80.00."
Here's the link to read the full article: http://thisisbento.com/tag/finance/
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Friday, June 10, 2011
Are You Curious About Being a Fashion Designer? Jumpstart Your Career with Workable Proven Tactics!
Follow our featured New York fashion designer for 3 quick tips to get you in!
Being a fashion designer certainly has it's share of roller coaster thrills. Every season is going to be different from the last. So, how do you jump into this constantly moving industry and run your own fashion business at the same time? It's good to have guidance from an experienced peer for career advice.
Today, we have a fabulous apparel designer whose t-shirts are worn by fashion savvy men and women who love rockin’ unique tees. This designer is going to share with you three quick tips to help you gain entry into the New York fashion industry while managing your own fashion apparel business. These exclusive tips are universal so use them wherever your fashion industry is located.
So, who is this fabulous designer and why should you take her advice? Adriana Marie is the designer behind her vintage inspired line of t-shirts for men and women. Her company’s name is Adriana Marie Co.
How did Adriana start working in the New York fashion design industry and create her own business?
Adriana studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and moved to New York to work in the fashion industry in 2008. She started her t-shirt line in 2009 while working full-time in the fashion industry.
“I started really pushing my tee shirt line in April 2009. I was doing research for about a year prior. I was so dedicated that when I moved here (NYC) I had no internet so I would sneak into Hunter College and tell them that I was a part of the student government and they let me use their computers. lol.”
Adriana has worked for major apparel companies such as Talbots as a Pre-Production Coordinator. She also has the following experiences as she quotes:
“I have worked for a bathing suit company in Florida, Lila Nikole, worked for BCBG as their visual merchandiser of their flagship store and I have also worked for Christian Francis Roth and Tory Burch.“
She also has the experience of working with notable television personalities such as America's Next Top Models Jade Cole, Bre and Tocarra. She has also worked with singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding and CSI Miami's Eva LaRue.
Adriana is able to balance working in the industry and designing her t-shirt collection. The beauty of her tees is that they incorporate art with positive inspirational quotes. She grew up with inspirational quotes all around her, literally!
"My parents posted positive quotes and affirmations around the house to promote a positive lifestyle and enforce self-development. So basically, when you looked anywhere we were always reading something positive, inspiring and empowering."
Wow! Adriana has an awesome background. We can see that she started with an idea, went to school, moved to New York City and did whatever it took to make her dream come true. This can happen for you as well! It takes consistent work and dedication to make your dream a reality.
Now it’s your turn to shine! Here are the exclusive tips that Adriana shares with you so that you can make the big leap into the wonderful world of fashion design:
1) Fashion design portfolio maintenance and computer programs to know:
“Keep up to date on your portfolio regularly. It’s such a competitive industry and this is how you sell yourself. Make sure that you know Illustrator and Photo shop for sure. Other programs such as the Microsoft Office programs and Outlook (email) are a necessity. Most jobs use different systems so it’s hard to pinpoint what to suggest...like at Talbots we used WebPDM and at my current job we use Electra Gallery.”
2) What's the quickest way to get a freelance or full-time job?
“Be current with what the industry is looking for. It’s a good idea to work with a placement agency because, they get the jobs first hand. Sometimes when you submit your resume online it goes into a pool and if they don’t call you, there is less of a chance to get looked at in the future, agencies help with that! “
3) What's the best way to manage working a job in the fashion industry and building your business?
“Wow… It’s not easy. I work around the clock and I’m surrounded by my business. The best way to manage both is to be on top of everything and make sure that you don’t let anything lag or pass you by. You have to be on your A game at all times.”
It looks like being organized is one of the keys to success. You already have the talent! Now you just have to manage your day.
These are wonderful, workable tips from a real life experienced professional. Thanks Adriana for sharing these quick tips!
But, that's not all! Adriana is very active in the fashion community. You'll want to follow her for more insights and to be a part of her great adventure as she builds her fashion business.
“I invite everyone to visit my website and sign up on the contact form for new collection releases, new promotions and events!”
Check out her fashion blog, friend her on facebook and follow her on twitter. She is always sharing her New York fashion design experience with her friends on these networks…and most definitely check out her t-shirt collection. The warm weather is here, it’s time to rock cool inspirational tees from a New York designer!
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Saturday, May 14, 2011
Looking for Clarity & a Boost of Creativity for Your Fashion Business?
I just came across this exercise while I was not feeling so well. I was sick a few days ago with flu like symptoms. The only food that I had in two days was a fresh lemon and honey mix drink and tons of water. Believe it or not, although I was feeling bad physically, I was able to get my work done. I had a boost of mental clarity and confidence! I put two and two together and realized that I was on a mini fast since I was only digesting liquids. This was helping me to gain new ideas and have clarity. I loved it! It makes me respect my body, mind and spirit even more. I now know that fasting is not only to loose weight, to cleanse the body or to heal a physical condition it can be used for mind clarity and to solve creative challenges.
How about you? Do you have mental clarity or a burst of creative energy when you're fasting?
The next time when you're not feeling so well and are only drinking liquids see if your mind is more sharp even though you may be in physical pain. Everyone is different so you may have your own unique experience.
This is just one way to gain clarity and creativity. I hope that it works for you!
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