10 best resources to find new Fashion Trends.

One of the most important requirements of a fashion brand, and any fashion designer worth their salt, is to be aware of upcoming fashion trends. Not only to understand them, but to be ahead of them.

Just how do fashion designers know what is going to be in fashion next? Where do you find fashion trends?

We do this through Fashion Forecasting and Trend Intel, working ahead of season often two to four seasons ahead which is around two years in advance.

Most of the big players in trend intel require an expensive membership or subscription, so if you are a start-up brand or a company with a smaller budget then it can be a big advantage to employ a Fashion Designer who has access to this already.

Below are my top 10 go to resources in no particular order, with what we consider to be their most useful aspects.

Image Copyright WGSN

1. WGSN

https://www.wgsn.com/en/

Best for working up to 2 to 4 seasons in advance. Covers fashion and interiors.

£££££

2. Fashion Snoops

http://www.fashionsnoops.com

Best for covering a wide range of products as well as working far in advance. Interactive features and amazing webinars.

££££

Image Copyright Fashion Snoops

3. Trendstop

http://www.trendstop.com

Best for giving different membership options and packages and easy to use interface.

£££

4. Pantone

https://www.pantone.com

Best for colour of the year reports and updates across fashion and interiors.

£ Free online

5. Vogue

http://www.vogue.co.uk

Best for catwalk coverage and couture designers.

£ Free online

Image Copyright Vogue

6. Elle

http://www.elleuk.com

Best for their high street takes on couture looks.

£ Free online

7. Pattern Prints Journal

http://www.patternprintsjournal.com

Best for colour and pattern / textile coverage.

£ Free online

8. Print and Pattern

https://printpattern.blogspot.com

Best for print, surface pattern and childrenswear.

£ Free online

9. The Fashion Spot

http://www.thefashionspot.com

Best for Celeb style and runway coverage. Close to season information.

£ Free online

10. Who What Wear

http://www.whowhatwear.co.uk

Best for Celeb style and current trends, what everyone wants just now.

£ Free online

I invest in the best fashion resources for Michelle Ramsay Design Studio so you don’t have to, and I can advise you on catwalk/ runway reports, seasonal colours, new fabrics, must have silhouettes, print / graphic trends and developments which are relevant to your individual brand.

I can compile this information for you to help you design the best product for your brand and can advise you on new aspects to set you apart from the competition. I can create mood boards, colour palettes, silhouette boards and fabric and trim inspiration. I also offer this type of advice and guidance in our consultation services.

I cover menswear, womenswear, urban and streetwear, childrenswear as well as athletic wear and soft accessories.

If you are launching a new range today and would benefit from gaining some inside industry knowledge, then get in touch with the studio today.

studio@michelleramsaydesign.com

www.michelleramsaydesign.com

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5 ways my e-book will help you launch your fashion startup.

Fashion Startups' Guide To Apparel Manufacture

If you're a budding fashion entrepreneur trying to navigate your way through the minefield that is the fashion industry, you might be feeling a little lost as to what happens next.

You're probably feeling in the dark to the steps needed to launch your brand, such as design, sampling and manufacture. How do you start to take that raw idea and get it manufactured?

If this sounds like you and right now you're lacking a plan then you're not alone. Finding good, reliable information about the fashion industry can be really difficult for startups and those trying to break into it.

That's why I wrote The Fashion Startups Guide To Apparel Manufacture. and here are 5 reasons it could be well worth your investment.

1. You'll gain insider knowledge instantly

Working with start-up brands for over 5 years now I know exactly the things you're going to ask before you've asked them. With this in mind I've created an easy to understand e-book that takes you through each stage you'll find yourself at on your journey from idea to manufacture. You will start to understand the processes, the terminology, and the language of the fashion industry, as well as key expectations a designer, manufacturer and supplier will have of you.

2. Your confidence will triple

Armed with this new found knowledge, you will be much more at ease knowing what should happen next. You will be able to start formulating your plan of action and strategies for your brand in terms of design, sampling and manufacture.

Fashion Startups' Guide To Apparel Manufacture

3. It'll help you get ahead of your competition

Without a clear plan of action it's easy to make mistakes. It can be tempting to jump on into the dark and have a go, but unless you learn your craft you'll never get it right. Take some time to invest in this new venture, learn your stuff before you plunge in and get ahead of the competition with proper guidance and information.

4. You'll save money long term

I see a lot of disasters! Clients that come to me to mop up a previous mess where they have spent a lot of time, and worse still, hard earned cash! When you don't know the correct processes you should be following, it's easy to get duped by false promises. Sometimes it's not always the fault of the factory. They can only produce based on the information you give them. If it's light on professional content, and lacking in skilled detail, you're likely to get a sample that reflects the poor input. This guide will show you the protocol of design, techs and specs, as well as walk you through sampling and production. Getting things right first time round means a more cost effective outcome. Suddenly a small initial investment seems like a game changer!

5. You'll become a more desirable client to a manufacturer

Unfortunately fashion startup brands are not the most desirable clients for a clothing factory. They've seen the unprepared brands asking them to make a garment based on a photo, and realise a lot of these clients need to be guided or prompted which sounds like a lot of hard work for them. Unsurprisingly, a lot of initial enquiries are ignored. This e-book will teach you everything a factory needs from you to successfully manufacture your collection. If you follow the steps in the guide, you'll be a much more desirable client through your organised approach and professional attitude.

If you'd like to start off your fashion launch the correct way then you can buy the guide here.