If you love fashion and your starting a clothing company this is the blog for you. I will be giving tips on how to make the process as simple as possible while saving time and money. I have just written the book “Guide to Starting a Fashion Company” which you can find out more about at my website www.cheriebixler.com and I will be happy to answer any questions about the book. It will be great to get your feedback.
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Can’t wait to tap into your 25 years of expertise. And what a beautiful cover. Looking forward to receiving your book and getting started.
I received Cherie Bixler Guide to Starting a Fashion Company yesterday, and am enjoying every single word of it! As a custom dressmaker for 14 years now, I am often approached by designers who want to have samples made, but have no idea where to start. (I may know quite a bit about garment making, but not nearly enough to guide someone through production.) This book answers so many questions, gives so much food for thought, tips for getting/making quality illustrations, getting patterns made… written as if you are just sitting talking with a trusted mentor. This book is well worth the price, especially considering that all of this information would be so difficult to obtain otherwise. Not only that, but going it alone, you would probably learn it all through trial and (costly) error. This is an ideal first book for any aspiring designer, and fills in the gap in publications dealing with how to produce a line. Written in layman’s terms, it really encourages the reader to get started, and is an incredibly easy read. Because it is self-published, you may find the inevitable typo or grammatical error here and there, but those things can certainly be forgiven for the quality of the information!
I just finished your book and I loved it. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am an aspiring designer who needs to learn how to go from concept to production. Your book outlines each and every step in a fun and easy to read format. It was inspiring. I feel like I really can make my dream a reality.
When I first received the book I initially thought that it was small for the price, but I was wrong. The wealth of information from illustrations, photography, resources and your 25 years of experience makes the price well worth it.
The only thing that I would like to have seen was an example of a line sheet. Is a line sheet a sketch of your product line or photos?
The little gift and wrapping was a nice touch too. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
I’m glad you enjoyed the book. A line sheet is simply sketches or photo’s of your product. It includes purchasing information for buyers such as product description, pricing, and estimated delivery dates. This information is typically given out at trade shows so the buyer can contact you to place an order. I appreciate your feedback as it will be considered in future blogs and future books.
Good day!This was a really superb theme!
I come from roma, I was luck to search your Topics in google
Also I learn much in your subject really thank your very much i will come every day
This book is an easy read that I could not put down. I was excited for each new chapter. I am new to the clothing industry, and this book was exactly what I needed. Great new fuel for my fire! Cherie practices what she preaches in her book. She has recently made patterns for me, and has been a source of information, and inspiration. Always available for questions, and comments, she, and her book have helped me take my vision to a real place.
The book has great organizational ideas, which help to streamline thoughts and ideas before taking them to the market.
Thanks to cherie for a well written self help book.
I received your book yesterday, and I really enjoyed your book last night.
Also I felt you are a so thoughful person. I love your small sweet gift.
I think i can finish your book today but I am sure I’ll read and read and read again.
I also think I can learn a lot from your book that I really need to learn.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience and giving most important informaion.
Love,
Eunah
I left my comment but I don’t know why it doesn’t show… so I am leaving again…
I found your book on my desk as soon as I got home last night, and I really enjoyed reading it. I also could not put down…
Also your small but sweet special gift was so impressed to me and I thought you are a thoughtful person. It made me to trust you more.
Thank you very much for sharing all your experieces and most important information especially the people who are just starting just like me.
I am so exciting but I am so nervouse at the same time, but I’ ll ask you whenever I have questions. Now I feel like I’m getting into real life of fashion!!
Once again, thank you very much!!!
I am so glad you are enjoying the book! I put so much work into this book and just all the wonderful feedback alone is making it worth it. For anyone interested in the book just go to the website: http://www.CherieBixler.com
I recently received your book and boy did it ever address all of the questions that I have about starting a clothing line. I love the way the book is written in plain and simple English! I recently visited a fabric store and I had to chuckle to myself because the experience was just as you described in the book. The staff didn’t have a lot of time to answer questions and I had to be very clear about what I wanted. I used the information that discussed obtaining fabric swatches and it worked out very well. I have not yet finished the book but so far each section that I have read has given me clarity and more confidence when interacting with others in the industry. Thanks for such an awesome guide!
Gena
I just came across your website and the title of your book jumped out at me!! I have been in the business over 30 years and I have NEVER seen a book such as this! I have a wealth of experience in the children’s market from designing to production patternmaking and always toyed with the idea of starting my own company but never really looked into it because I believed you needed a rich uncle (or some such family member or friend) to get it off the ground. The last company I worked for, I worked more closely with production and I was privy to the cost of just getting our samples made. But when that company downsized, I finally though this might be a good time to try. I moved to Florida (Miami) and started this project that I have been running from since I can remember and ” Che-Elaine’s” was born. I am designing and making evening, special occasion, bridal, children and some men, with the blessings of my family and my staunches supporters- my sister, mom and my fiance. So thank you Cherie for putting such knowledge in book form, I will get your book and I can’t wait to explore all you have so generously shared!
God continue to bless, guide and keep you.
My wife and I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. How accurate is that portrayal of the fashion industry?
This is a great question! I am so happy you ask me this. I have not posted anything for a year and this was the perfect question to get back in the swing of things.. My goal is to blog at least once a week. I was so appreciative for the question that I rented the movie since it has been a while since I have seen it.
This movie is not just about working in the fashion industry but working at a publishing company. I had the privilege once of going to the Harper’s Bazar Headquarters. The building is so beautiful. It has a waterfall the length of the wall in the lobby. The offices have glass windows from the floor to the ceiling and feel like they are slanted. I didn’t get too close to them since I am afraid of heights and started to feel like I was going to fall out. The office I went to was far nicer than the one in the movie.
I worked directly with the assistant to editor in chief of the magazine. She was very nice and a pleasure to work with. I was impressed how she kept calm during her multi-tasking. It was I think the first time working with a client I was sometimes put on hold as many as 3 times in a short conversation because she had to attend to details for the editor in chief. I really didn’t mind as it just stood out as something new and was certainly in keeping with the movie.
As for the role of editor in chief, played by Meryl Streep, who was difficult and unapproachable, this was not my experience. I briefly met the editor in chief of Harper’s Bazar and she was pleasant and very hand on. She was not at all like Meryl Streep, sitting behind a desk barking orders. I did observe that the employees in general were on their toes, as I am sure these are very sought after positions. I understand the movie was based on events at Vogue magazine but my personal experience was with Harper’s Bazar. Something else that really stood out about a publishing company that was very different that a clothing manufacturer that I typically work with: The people were very articulate and corporate. If I had the opportunity to work with them again I would love to. I also really admire the accomplishments of the editor in chief of Harper’s Bazar. She is a real role model for women unlike the character played by Myrell Streep. I am waiting for a movie to be made about the garment district-manufacturing firms. It would have everything – fashion, drama, betrayal, sex, organized crime, humor, and did I mention drama. “The Devil Wears Prada”, would pale in comparison.
Thanks for the best question so far. Please keep the questions coming guys. Some ideas for questions – ones that require more than a simple yes or no, educational, drama filled, stupid & clueless, humor, and as over the top as you want it to be as long as it somehow ties into the business of fashion. I want you learn something and get a good laugh too. Ready, set, go.
Hi Cherie,
WOW!! I love your website! You have so much experience in the fashion world!! I am just starting out in this exciting, yet nerve racking business and have so many questions!! I was wondering if you could share some experiences on your Blog? I have always wanted to know what it’s REALLY like behind the scenes of a runway show! Is it filled with drama?! What was the most memorable experience at one?? Thank you so much!! Looking forward to your response!! 🙂 ~Bridgett
Runway show! Wow, I don’t want to think of this too much as I start to get upset all over again so here is the quick version. Years ago my clothing line was in a show room and they were going to have a fashion show with the press and department stores there. I was so excited I could not even think straight. There were about 4 designers in the show. The first designer was backstage and worked with the models. They came out wearing his clothing and their makeup was amazing! i was shocked when the models came out in my clothing! He had wiped off all the make up before they came out in my clothing and it was all smeared on the faces!! All the photos i took looked terrible because of this. Lesson: Try to get involved as much as possible and be hands on.
Oh my goodness!! I cannot believe that someone is capable of being so …i don’t know, unfair and horrible! Thank you for sharing that story and I will absolutely keep this in mind for my future!