Fashion Designer's Resource Book

by Samata Pattinson

Overview

The Fashion Designer's Resource Book is a fashion resource and lifestyle book that provides a comprehensive overview of the fashion industry as a business, combined with an insider's understanding of the creative process and the lifestyle of a fashion entrepreneur.

The author, award-winning designer Samata Pattinson, explains how to take steps towards a fulfilling career - achieving creative, business and emotional balance - in this competitive and complex industry. The range of pertinent topics covered include working in the industry as a fashion designer, business planning, selling your brand, networking and using social media, emotional wellbeing and environmentally and socially responsible fashion. The book also contains insights from a range of key industry influencers: Harold Tillman CBE, Chairman of the British Fashion Council; Sarah Curran, Founder of my-wardrobe.com; Nigel Barker from TV show America's Next Top Model; Helen Jennings, Editor of ARISE magazine and Suzy Amis Cameron, Founder of Red Carpet Green Dress.

Emerging designers should read this book to get ahead; it also offers advice for anyone interested in exploring the industry, from first year fashion students looking to secure work experience, to the talented seamstress working to establish a reputation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350136434
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/08/2024
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.44(w) x 9.58(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Samata is a British born Ghanaian entrepreneur working across fashion and media. Samata is the CEO of sustainable Oscars® design campaign Red Carpet Green Dress. The published author THE TRIBE™ Empowerment Journal, The Fashion Designer's Resource Book – Bloomsbury Publishing and writer (The Guardian, VOGUE, Huffington Post). Samata, a talented presenter and producer, is committed to creating positive change within all the fields she operates in and influences, and her work has been featured in Reuters, Business Insider, Business Of Fashion, Grazia Middle East, Instyle, Grazia, Vogue Italia, Yahoo Finance, Westwood Westwood, VOGUE (USA & UK), E! Entertainment, Hello Giggles, The Huffington Post, Women's Wear Daily, ELLE, InStyle, Essence, Red Magazine, Refinery 29 and more.

Samata is Editor of SamataHome.com, a portal for her work and personal style, a board for curated style pointers and a central hub for the like-minded to discover and connect. Most recently Samata founded THE TRIBE™, a global collective, created for women to empower and celebrate each other.

Table of Contents

Why Is This Book Needed?

What Is Fashion?
An Overview Of The Industry
Who Are The Key Players?
Key Fashion Centres
The Value Of The Fashion Industry
Fashion Events And Seasons

Venturing In
Vision And Goals
Success And Decision-Making
Can You Identify Your Strengths?
Fashion Industry Jobs And Career Paths
Work Experience And Placements
How To Make Yourself More Employable
International Fashion Schools And Colleges
Applying For Courses
Creating A Stunning Portfolio

Being A Designer
Trends
Different Types Of Designers: What Kind Of Designer Are You?
High Street Fashion, Ready To Wear And Haute Couture
The Characteristics Of A Fashion Designer
The Design Brief
What Does A Designer Do?
Fashion Illustrators
Sketching
Learning Patterns

Finding Your Feet
Being Yourself Within The Fashion Industry
Etiquette Within The Fashion Industry
Dress For Success
Finding A Network And Using It
Know Your Message
Trying To Fit In

Changing Times: Social Media And The Fashion Industry
A Facebook Fashion Brand
Fashion Blogs
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube

Business Planning
Fashion Entrepreneurs
The Importance Of A Mentor
Research Resources
Your Product, Your Collection, Your Customer
Money, Money, Money
From The Investors' Perspective
Team Work And Sharing
Applying To A Financial Institution
Investor = Partner?
Registering Your Company
Useful Business Start Up Resources

Manufacturing
Production Capitals - Choosing Your CMT Unit
Finding Fabrics
Lead Times
Quality Control
Managing Your Production
Purchasing Orders
When Your Clothes Arrive
If Things Go Wrong

Showcasing Your Work
Typical Criteria To Exhibit During Fashion Week
Organising Your Own Fashion Show
Working With Photographers
Designers' Rights And Protective Organisations
Creative Rights: How Can I Protect My Designs?
Catalogue Your Design Process
The Legal Side Of Fashion

PR
Being A Good Client
Sponsorship
Paths To Exposure
Reaching Celebrities And Magazines
What Editors And Stylists Are Looking For
Contacting Editors And Stylists
Who Are You Targeting? The Wish List
Marketing
Branding
Trade Shows
Sales
Department Stores And Boutiques
Online Retail
Your Website
Dealing With Buyers And Stockists

Social Responsibility
Fair Trade
Eco Fashion
What Are Organic Fabrics?
Why Pro Bono Work?
Model And Designer Etiquette

Your Emotional Well-Being
The Lifestyle Of A Fashion Designer
Coping During Stressful Times
Forcing Creativity
Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation
Getting Inspired
Relaxation Corner
Beautiful Sights: The Museum To-Do-List

Editorial Reviews

Looking to get ahead in the industry? Add the Fashion Designer's Resource Book to your summer reading list. The book breaks down the basics of the business and offers resources for just about everyone from emerging designers and fashion students to aspiring journalists, publicists, and buyers-not to mention all you fashion know-it-alls out there.” —Catherine Straut, Elle.com

“As many a designer will testify, carving a career in the fashion industry is no mean feat. More than just talent alone, you'll need determination, drive and focus; but for that extra bit of help with the above, you'll also need Samata Angel's new book, the Fashion Designer's Resource Book... Tackling topics such as business planning, brand awareness and networking, as well as emotional wellbeing and stress, Samata's oh-so helpful, no-nonsense approach to the ins and outs of the fashion industry is a must read.” —InStyle

“Written from a British perspective by womenswear designer Angel, this resource offers a comprehensive overview of the fashion industry and the creative processes employed by designers. It provides insights into life as a fashion entrepreneur. Topics such as education , branding and advertising, business planning, work-life balance, social media and networking, and sustainable practices are introduced. Sections range from 'What is Fashion?' and 'Venturing In' to 'Social Responsibility' and 'Your Emotional Well-Being'. In some cases, the author either does not cite the sources for her research, or references Wikipedia (CH, Mar'06, 43-3736) as the source. Many of the images in the book are stock photos and images of the author or her fashion designs. The brief index restricts accessibility. Despite the limitations in the research and production of this book, it will be useful for readers considering a career in the fashion industry, including high school students and first-year college students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers.” —C. B. Cannon, Savannah College of Art and Design, CHOICE

“This book offers a comprehensive overview over the fashion industry from where to study to how to set up your own fashion business (write a business plan, seek funding, production etc.) The book offers case studies and useful industry insights. Therefore I would recommend this book even for someone who worked in the industry for awhile because I got a lot of new insights by reading Samata's book myself.” —Matilda Lundin, www.MatildaLundin.com

From the Publisher