Alright, it’s been fun talking about other lines and celebrity fashion, but I think it’s about time we get back to business!  Just to update on my progress, I’m STILL working on designing the site but more importantly, I’ve found a photographer!  Her work is great, and it’s going to be a great collaboration; I’ll post more about her in the future.  My first photoshoot is scheduled April 6th and I have three deliveries coming in before then (the end of this month, mid March and late March).

Moving on, I’ve had several people ask me exactly how do you go about contacting designers and labels.  I realized I never explained this clearly, so here it is, step by step:

Contacting the Designers
Unless we’re talking about an indie designer, it’s usually not the designer him/herself who you would contact (nor is it corporate).  The vast majority of the time all sales would be handled through a sales representative who works out of a showroom.   If you’re on the West Coast, use the LA Fashion District Directory to the find out who the sales rep is for a particular label.  They have just about every line listed with the location of their showroom, suite number and phone number.

Before making contact, I would recommend getting a bit more information (showroom name, sales rep name, etc). You can usually find that as well as email contact info at the website for the particular building as showroom is located in, and there are four total:

Call or email the showroom and ask them to email you (some may snail mail) a line sheet.  A line sheet should show you all the styles as well as color ways, wholesale prices, fabrication, sizing, etc. Be sure to ask about minimum order quantities as well.

Also keep in mind that buying is done pretty far ahead of the season. Right now, you would be buying for either Summer or Fall.

Trade Shows
Trade shows are like exhibits.  It’s one of the best ways to find new lines,  and you can also place orders while you’re there.  Here are the major shows:

  • Brighte (LA) - Happens during the LA Fashion, Home & Gift show during market week at the California Mart.  I’ve been twice. It’s usually the same designers, and there are good labels (I found one that I bought from) but there isn’t too much to see.
  • Designers & Agents  (LA) - This usually goes on at the same time as Brighte, across the street at the New Mart.  I previously was unaware of this and now I’m kicking myself for not going (although I might go in March).  Apparently, it’s  a bigger group of designers.
  • MAGIC (Las Vegas) - By FAR the biggest trade show, and it’s a huge deal in the industry.  This happens in February and at the end of August every year.
  • Intermezzo (NY)
  • Coterie (NY)

That’s for fashion.  If you’re looking for skate/surfwear or action sports, there are completely different shows for that (I think there’s a big one in San Diego).