The very first Cristina Bijou bag to win everyone's heart! The Vacay, from our Spring 2006 Collection!! Eight years later and STILL a must have!
A Sneak Peek at Cristina Bijou bags Spring 2015
"The Talia"
"The Brooke"
"The Addison"
For more info about go to www.cristinabijou.com
Choosing the right manufacturer for your brand.
Finding the right manufacturer to produce your line is key when creating your brand. It's very important to find a production team that can reproduce the asthetic of your vision.
There are so many different factors that come into play in production to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for. I've learned this the hard way. Over the years I've worked with different companies. Some produced quality, and some didn't. The smallest details can make all the difference when it comes to producing quality in the fashion industry. Fabrics, hardware, and notions all need to be carefully chosen during the sampling process to ensure you get the outcome you're looking for. For me it's been much easier working with a company that I can call or visit whenever need be to ensure that things are being done when I need it, exactly how I need it. This led me to work with a production team domestically based. This can be a little more expensive but it's what works for me.
Here are the top five tips for choosing the right manufacturer when starting a fashion brand.
1- Make sure the company is easily accessible. Can you pick up the phone or send an email and have your questions answered the same day? When your company is still growing, outsourcing internationally can be very difficult. Time differences cause delays in getting quick things done in a timely manner. Try to find a company that is either domestically based or has an office that you can contact or visit stateside.
2- In the beginning stages you'll want a lot of your final decisions to be made in person. Having the ability to touch and feel the fabrics, leathers, & hardware you decide on is extremely important. This ensures that you get exactly what you are looking for and your samples are produced correctly. Try to find a company that you can easily travel to so that you can have oversight of your production process. This helps ensure that you're leaving the least amount of room for error as possible. (And also helps me sleep at night. Haha!)
3- Before you begin the sample process make sure the manufacturer can produce the specific aesthetic you envision for your brand. Manufacturing companies normally specialize in certain skills or can offer a certain level of quality. Review samples of previous work they've done before deciding to work with them.
4- Find a manufacturer that can produce your products at a price point where you can successfully grow as a company. Getting an estimated cost amount to produce is a must. You never want to begin working with a company only to realize that you can't afford to give yourself a decent profit margin. All companies have different setup fees and costs, find one that best suits your company.
5- Make sure that your manufacturer is a company that you can grow with. As your business grows you want a manufacturing company that has the ability to produce the demand you need.
Do you have a question about starting your fashion business? Get it answered here on Behind the Brand. Email me at reginacwhite@gmail.com
Headed to a meeting with our production team. Manhattan NY
Manhattan NY
For more info about Cristina Bijou bags go to www.cristinabijou.com
The first ten steps I took when I created my brand.
Over the years the number one question I get asked is "How did you start your brand?" Here are the first ten steps I took that got me to this point in my career.
The research process became very intimidating at first. Most of the
design houses were international, high end and extremely well known
companies. To save my self of worry I began researching handbag labels
in the US. I came across Kate Spade’s story and I was very inspired by how she got started.
1. Research, Research, Research…
I was glued to my computer. I researched the
design houses to practically every handbag label there was. How did
they become established? When did they become established? Who’s story
inspired me the most?
(This step is much needed, researching those who have done what you aspire to do will push you to overcome a lot of the obstacles you will come across in the future.)
2. I found my inspiration
The research process became very intimidating at first. Most of the
design houses were international, high end and extremely well known
companies. To save my self of worry I began researching handbag labels
in the US. I came across Kate Spade’s story and I was very inspired by how she got started.
3. Created my vision
I began brainstorming the aspects of my business. The brand name, sketches, logos, and figuring out what would make my brand different. These all came in to play in this step.
4. Created my first prototype
A fashion brand
without a product is nothing more than a book of sketches. I decided
that I was going to teach myself how to make handbags from start to
finish. My very first bag was made with nothing but a
leather needle, thread, and two different shades of leather. I made
this bag by hand without a machine which took me 16 hours. It wasn’t
easy but in order for me to continue to inspire myself I needed
something that I could actually touch and feel. I knew that this was
just the beginning but I had to start somewhere.
5. I invested in my business
When I started my business I had 5,000.00 saved. I began making my first investments in the brand.
I bought books on making handbags, and tons of leather in many jewel
tone shades. I convinced my first investor to buy me an industrial
sewing machine. It was HUGE, very
loud and took up most of my living room in my one bedroom apartment. I had no clue what I was doing but I jumped right in. I was determined to figure this thing out. (This step is extremely important. Find investors. Create a presentation with vision boards, any prototypes and a well written plan. You’ve got to let them see your vision in order to get them to invest.)
loud and took up most of my living room in my one bedroom apartment. I had no clue what I was doing but I jumped right in. I was determined to figure this thing out. (This step is extremely important. Find investors. Create a presentation with vision boards, any prototypes and a well written plan. You’ve got to let them see your vision in order to get them to invest.)
6. I asked plenty of questions
There came a point where the lady in the fabric section at Walmart and I were like best friends. She
would answer any question I had about sewing and I was soooo grateful!
Then I got creative, I figured that since upholstery shops were
experienced in working with leather they too would be a great resource.
In my mind I figured, if they can make a couch surely they can help me
learn to make a handbag. I couldn’t have been more right. I
went to a family owned upholstery shop just outside of Charlotte and
they were more than happy to help me with any questions I had. They
seemed excited and very intrigued that I had gone to such lengths to
figure out such a challenging task. (Figure out who you know that can
help in your area of fashion. If you have a graphic t-shirt line, seek
out a local screen printer. If you’re looking to create a line of
clothing look for a local seamstress who may be able to help with
prototypes.)
7. I began creating an entire collection
This is where all the hard work came in. My apartment looked like a factory. I
worked around the
clock to produce a collection so that I could not only prove to
myself that I could do it but to really allow others to see my vision. I didn’t just want to continuously talk about something that I wanted to happen “one day”. I knew that in order to get the
ball rolling I had to have a complete collection. I produced about 20
different bags over a span of about 9 months. (Create a cohesive
collection, keep in mind the time of year you plan on completing the project when choosing a color story to be sure that it falls in line with the time of year it will be, spring or fall.)
8. I came up with a plan to debut my collection
During the process of creating my collection I decided that I would have a fashion show to introduce the collection to my friends, family, professors, and really just anyone I came in contact with. I spread the word throughout The Art Institute as well as my community and had a lot of help from some friends I was attending school with. (This
does not necessarily have to be a huge production. A small debut in a
lounge type setting would work out perfectly. Be very conscious of your
budget. You’ll need it in the next steps.)
9. I began to market my brand
I began using social media to market my brand. I shouted it from the roof tops. Anyone
I came in contact with knew about Cristina Bijou bags. Through social
media I was discovered and invited to participate in a fashion show in
Beverly Hills CA. I leaped at the opportunity! This step required a lot of confidence in myself and my brand. If I didn’t believe in my product no one else would so that’s exactly what I did.
(Don’t be afraid to market your brand, even before your collection is complete. Give people something to look forward to by marketing the brand itself. Logo, vision board, technical sketches etc.)
10. Research, Research, Research
Once my collection was complete and my first two fashion shows had come and gone I began seeking a manufacturer. I knew that in order to take my brand to the next level I would need to have my designs professionally manufactured. Quality control is key in the production process. I knew without a doubt that this was the direction I needed to go in to live up to the other brands on the market that I intended on competing with.
These are the first ten things I did in creating my brand, it seems like a lot and at the time I felt as if I had come very far. Only to soon realize this was just the beginning. Stay tuned…
Promoting your brand in a major retail store.
As a new fashion line in a major retail store, it's very important to constantly promote your brand. When competing with many other well known brands on the sales floor, you really have to make sure you get the exposure you need to be successful. Through social media, newsletters, networking, and making personal appearances at events; I've managed to triple the numbers my merchandise team projected for my first month in stores. Having a quality product is key but promoting it is the second most important factor. Here's an inside look at some of the events I've attended and different ways I've chosen to promote my brand.
Social Media Marketing
Cristina Bijou bags Spring collection available at www.belk.com
Girls Night Out, South Park Mall in Charlotte, NC
Personal appearance at Belk's new flagship location at Galleria Dallas
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| VP of Trend Merchandising & Fashion Direction Arlene Goldstein & General Manager Salem Boohaker |
Charleston Fashion Week
Social Media Marketing
Cristina Bijou bags Spring collection available at www.belk.com
Selling your brand in a major retail store
The past two weeks have been amazing. Cristina Bijou bags finally hit sales floors and Belk.com. This was the moment of truth and I'd literally been waiting on it for years! There were so many things running through my head. How is my collection merchandised(presented) in stores?; where are they placed on the sales floor?; how will they resonate with the customer?
Everything I'd worked so hard on for years is very dependent on what happens in the next couple of months. I know I have a quality product, but I have to make sure that I get the
After just one week of my collection being in stores, I received a phone call from my merchandise team congratulating me on how well my line was selling. I was so happy and excited, this is exactly what I wanted to hear!
Two days later, Belk sent me to Charleston Fashion Week (CFW) for a personal appearance and the experience was mind-blowing. My spring collection sold extremely well at CFW and
I ended up selling six bags from the collection in just one night! The Belk executives were floored, the regional manager in the area told me that my collection was the hit of the night. Words couldn't even express the way that I felt in that moment. It's one thing to work really hard at something and have personal satisfaction, but to see people make purchases without hesitation is phenomenal.
I've worked really hard at making my dreams a reality for years, and taken huge risks in the process. My first week of sales in a major retail store was the confirmation I needed to know that none of the sacrifices I've made were in vain.
Here is some of the press I've done to promote my brand & Spring collection:
Everything I'd worked so hard on for years is very dependent on what happens in the next couple of months. I know I have a quality product, but I have to make sure that I get the
exposure I need to get my brand name out. I've done interviews with magazines, newspapers, bloggers, and a television show.
After just one week of my collection being in stores, I received a phone call from my merchandise team congratulating me on how well my line was selling. I was so happy and excited, this is exactly what I wanted to hear!
Two days later, Belk sent me to Charleston Fashion Week (CFW) for a personal appearance and the experience was mind-blowing. My spring collection sold extremely well at CFW and
I ended up selling six bags from the collection in just one night! The Belk executives were floored, the regional manager in the area told me that my collection was the hit of the night. Words couldn't even express the way that I felt in that moment. It's one thing to work really hard at something and have personal satisfaction, but to see people make purchases without hesitation is phenomenal.I've worked really hard at making my dreams a reality for years, and taken huge risks in the process. My first week of sales in a major retail store was the confirmation I needed to know that none of the sacrifices I've made were in vain.
Here is some of the press I've done to promote my brand & Spring collection:
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| Garden & Gun Magazine |
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| My Carolina Today Live |
 |
| Charleston Magazine |
 |
| City View Magazine |
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| Chesterfield Observer |
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| Fayetteville Observer |
To view my Spring Collection visit www.cristinabijou.com or Belk.com
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