Ok, so what’s the deal with breaking into the fashion design business? My good friend Minna Kao is definitely getting the press to notice her designs. She’s been reviewed in so many fashion articles as someone to lookout for in the bridal scene. She’s a designer in NYC who is super talented. Her label is MinnaK. She designs the most beautiful evening gowns and she does this all while working a full-time job in fashion as a Production Associate for a major corporation.
Minna shares a few tips with you that you can use to start your own fashion line and propel your career!
1) Finding Your Target Audience
Go to the stores that you think your customers go to and research price points, style, what's in (not the sales rack), and the color scheme.
2) Cutting Costs
Start by silk-screening t-shirts or making things from your home. If it looks professional, no one would know it came from the garage, and you can possibly find backers to help support your love of design. The internet is an economical way to spread the word, and the most popular. It is extremely saturated, but research all the social networks, and put yourself out there.
3) Designing and Promoting Your Biz while Working Full-Time
It is extremely difficult to work full time AND come home and work. When I have an idea, I need the mental space to conceptualize it so, I've created a schedule for myself in order to stay disciplined. I love designing. I won't ever stop, so for me, it's worth those extra hours to do what I love until I can do it full time.
In addition, I find inspiration in the strength of women and children, so I want my love of design to generate money so that I can return it to my favorite organization - Foundation For International Medical Relief of
Children.
*Minna Kao pictured in the center with two models wearing her gowns.
Check out MinnaK’s collection at:http://www.minnak.com/collection
Visit MinnaK's blog at: http://minnak.com/blog
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Start a Fashion Line & Get Noticed - 3 Quick Tips!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Fashion and Health- 15th Day Master Cleanse
What a journey! Fashion and health really does go hand in hand. Now I'm ready to eat again. 15 days of the Master Cleanse is such a wonderful detox. I got rid of a lot of toxins. Now it's time to re-build with super nutrition and enjoy eating again. Wow, I wonder how my first complete whole meal will taste?
Staying focused and determined was key and not giving into cravings. This type of discipline is great for improvement in other areas of life such as running your own business. There's a feeling of confidence and clarity that shined through towards my last week of this detox.
This short video shows you how easy it is to have the Master Cleanse ingredients on the go! There's no excuse for not detoxing periodically. You might just love the experience.
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
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Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Fashion and Health-10th Day Master Cleanse
Check out inspiration for a 10 day Master Cleanse. Congrats!!! I've completed the minimum time period for the Master Cleanse. Ten days of no solid food, only the lemonade drink. If I can do it, you can too!
I've decided to extend my cleansing for a few more days longer though, to improve upon what I've started, a deep cleansing. I am on a journey to make sure that my outside fabulous self really does match my inside fabulous self!
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
Subscribe to NYAccents: Fashion Design Career Blog by Email
Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Throughout Your Day
I have a question for you. Does anyone repeat affirmations or declarations as you go about your normal day or even on weekends? I find it fun to keep reminding myself of a few key affirmations while I'm working or even while commuting to work. It reminds me that I'm really in charge of my life. Even when hit with a challenge while working, repeating affirmations helps me get through them. How about you?
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Fashion and Health-The Master Cleanse!
Hi Everyone,
Hope that you are having a wonderful summer! Here's a quick video that I'd like to share about looking good and feeling good.
"Fashion and Health go hand in hand. Make sure that your outside fabulous self matches your inside fabulous self. Try the Master Cleanse or any method of detoxing that suites your lifestlye."-Kali
Subscribe to NYAccents: Fashion Design Career Blog by Email
Disclaimer: I am a fashion designer. Any health suggestions that I share come from my personal experiences. If you follow any health related suggestions on this blog, fully consider the pros and cons. Also do your own research and if necessary consult with your doctor.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Enjoy Your Night's Sleep and Get Good Energy

Getting lots of sleep at night has proven to be really beneficial for me and is one of the ways that I have good energy the next day. Juggling a full-time job and a business, it's easy and enticing to stay up all night to work on your own entreprenurial endeavors. I must say that I've learned the hard way. If I consistently do late nighters, I feel worn out. I can do one late night a week but more than one late night per week is asking for big trouble down the road!
So what's the solution?
When I go to bed before 11:00PM I wake up earlier with good energy in the morning and I have the time to devote an hour or so to the business. It's much better than staying up late and feeling tired the next day.
Having dinner before 8:00PM and not going to bed with a full stomach and also going to bed before 11:00PM are two main things that I struggled with last year but, I am definitely making them a priority this year. I've learned to eat a lighter meal at night and have lunch as the main meal since this is when our digestive systems are at the highest. It's all about adjusting our schedules. When we make something a routine for a few days it becomes a habit. These are two habits that I'm looking forward to keeping.
Are you an entreprenuer and work full-time? How do you spend your evenings after work?
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Back in Action! Fashion Design Career & Business Blog

I've definitely been out of the blogging world for the past three months and have truly missed it. Now that I have a few days off. I just wanted to let you know what's been going on. My freelance fashion job has hired me full-time and my business, http://www.newyorkaccents.com has been really picking up so, I haven't been posting as often as I would like.
Now's a good time to post and wish everyone who visits a Happy New Year. The one thing that I would truly love to do more consistently in 2010 is to publish more posts. I do have a lot to share with you regarding being an entreprenuer and a full-time employee in the fashion industry. So much is going on which is a very good thing.
What about you? What are your goals for 2010?
Wishing you the best and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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