childrens designer, help!

diane70

Hi All,
I recently sent some childrens clothes designs to a well know kids company and they loved them, unfortunatley they were in london and I am in merseyside, also they wanted qualifications that I don't have although I can design etc.
I was wondering of anyone knew about this field of work, I thought I could draw the designs in detail and sell them on but I guess not.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can go about doing this as a job?
I don't want to start the business from scratch as there would be loads to do and I have a toddler to look after as well as being over the hill,lol. (37) also have no funds!!!
It is such a shame I never stayed on at school but times where hard then with 6 brothers and sisters,life was hard!

any help whatsoever will be appreciated
Cheers
Diane

cosybedsocks

I'm no expert with fashion, but I do know people who are and I would suspect that you will find it extremely difficult to get a job with an existing fashion house/clothes company particularly if you are not based in London.

You are far more likely to get your designs to market if you set up on your own. I know it's a lot of work but there is a LOT of funding for start ups out there and a LOT of advice. It's a challenge, but I reckon you would be better putting your energy into starting up than approaching loads of companies.
I set up my business 3 years ago, I'm based in Northumberland but because I'm online it doesn't matter. I have no formal qualifications so I knew I would find it difficult getting a job with an interiors company, but because I've gone it alone I've been able to do what I like and reach a wide audience.
I have a toddler too, it's hard to get much done during the day, but the evenings and weekends are dedicated to running the business - it's hard work, but very rewarding and you don't need a lot of your own money to start off as there are so many grants and loans available to people who want to go it alone - it would be worth having a word with your local Business Link before you dismiss the idea completely.
Good luck!
Ali

Mrs_Money

Hi Diane
have you looked at www.etsy.com
It's an American site that sells handmade clothes, jewellery etc., but many sellers are from the UK - if you are happy to sell and post goods all over the world, then it may be useful for you - of course it means you have to make up your designs, photograph them and enter details, but you get a free shop front and only have to pay for your listing - about 22 cents per item, I think (I think you'd need a Paypal account as well)- they also take a percentage commission of a sale, but at least your outlay could be small at first as you can list as few items as you like.
I'm busy with wage slave work at the mo, but I am seriously looking at selling through them (not that I've got anything to sell yet!) so I'd be interested to know if anyone else on here is using them and how successful it is.
You can see on the site what other sellers have sold by clicking on their "items for sale" link and then their "sales" link - gives an idea of what kind of stuff is selling well.
As Cosybedsocks said - you don't need qualifications if you sell goods on-line!!!!
good luck!

cosybedsocks

I actually sell my stuff on etsy as well as my website, didn't think to mention it before. Mrs Money is right, it's a good place to showcase your stuff. I don't find I sell much on there as it's primarily a USA audience, but the UK sector is growing and there's a good UK community on there.
I have about 2 sales a month on etsy, but I do think it's a useful place to network and get stuff out there. There's a newer European based site very similar called dawanda - I'm trying that out too.
Etsy is definitely worth a go though.

diane70

hi all
I am fab at designing but not too good at pattern making etc my designs have unusual fabrics so they would have to be made,so would be better to sell the actual design.

I would need a textile designer/company, a pattern maker all costing money!

I don't know what else to do? It is a shame really as I have loads of ideas.

The comany who I sent my designs too have received about 9 outfits from me, I told them I had no experience/qualfications etc but yet they still wanted to see the designs, I am hoping that they don't use them or pinch parts of the designs,if they do can I sue or haven't got a leg to stand on?

Thanks for all your help
Diane