“The hardest part is getting the lines you want. Sales reps are really snobby; some didn’t even answer my emails at all!”

That’s what another poster on TheFashionSpot.com told me, in a nutshell. She too is launching an online boutique, and she answered a whole lot of questions for me.

Actually, let me back things up here. For anyone who’s wondering how you get clothes for your store, here’s a basic overview:

  • All sales are handled through the designer’s showroom (unless they’re indie). Most designers are present in a showroom in LA (in the garment district downtown) AND in NY, although some are located in San Francisco, Atlanta, etc, as well.
  • This wholesale business directory is the best, and quickest, way I’ve found to find who represents what designer.
  • In LA there are four main buildings where showrooms are located: The California Market Center, Cooper Design Space, Gerry Building and the New Mart. You can also find the showroom websites and contact information here.
  • Trade shows are a good way to see lines you like and find new ones. The biggest is Magic in Las Vegas, probably followed by Intermezzo and Coterie in NY, and several others in LA.
  • If you want to see the lines ahead of time, contact the showrooms and ask for a line sheet. A line sheet shows all the designs for the up coming season along with whole sale prices, color ways, prints, fabric information, etc. Or at least, it should.

Planning My Merchandise

So the last step I mentioned is where I am now. I started contacting showrooms three or four weeks ago. Were they snobby? No, not really. Did they answer my emails? Yes, the first batch that I contacted did, however the second batch hasn’t. And I mean they REALLY haven’t….as in about 95% of them.  I understand that they’re busy but sometimes I have to ask my self, do these people actually WANT business?

I’m not that worried though because I contacted the lines I’m most interested in first.

But for me, not getting all the line sheets is frustrating because I like to plan in advance. I want to know what I’m going to buy when I go in.  I want to see my own stores line sheet (if that’s even what it’s called) and make sure that the pieces from different brands compliment each other.  And sometimes I really need to sleep on a piece before making a final decision, I mean, a girl can change her mind!  This all makes sense right?  Le sigh.

I just emailed a really hip up and coming designer; she’s a FIDM alum too.  Wish me luck.