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Will open Clothing Business and I...?

...would like to know where I can get in touch with emerging indie designers. My idea is to sell my own hand made Jewelry, clothes and accesories (from designers) and possibly shoes (although this is not really on top of my list). My view for this business is a mix of Vintage, quirk, fun, unique clothes. Not the usual but in the contrary be up to date with the needs of woman who love to dress up. I am 28 years old, have done my research about the clothing market in New York (second hand stores, street fairs, new innovative designers, etc) I will start this business from scratch next year and with the help of my husband. We are short in cash to have an actual store for now but we were thinking to sell my merchandise on street Fairs. Do you think this is a good idea? any suggestions of fairs in the U.K.? Please leave any positive suggestions you might have and experiences as an independent business. I need all kinds of good feedback for this. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Hi there!! Good luck with your business, it sounds like my dream come true!! I'm not an "indie designer" but I make all my own clothes and people always ask about them! There are excellent areas of London which have fairs or markets and lots of indie, vintage type shops (but obviously that means more competition!) The good thing about these areas of London are that while they are street markets there are still highly exclusive and fashionable. I'd be a little wary of other markets because when you eventually get a "proper" shop where you'll have set (higher) prices and no more bargaining people might think.... hey she was selling stuff off and old wallpaper pasting table a few months ago!! Do you know what I mean??? So I'm thinking trendy London area where you can sell in the fairs and markets without jepordising your street cred. hope that makes sense! Best of luck!
2. There is a list wholesalers and dropshippers at http://www.iwanttosellstuff.com
3. Try one of those places like LoveBites and Bruises: http://www.lovebitesandbruises.com ... they're quite popular and "in" at the moment. If you want help with designing, selling, ordering jewelry & accessories, or just stating your own business, their forums are *full* of jewelry designers (and some magazine editors and journalists are on there too - so you can get a bit of media attention) - a lot of jewelry bands made it big on there. There are a lot of desingers in their community that are happy to help people, and they offer free advertising and samples a lot of the time. Good luck! :)