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10 UK Fashion Tradeshows To Visit Now.

Updated: Jan 15, 2019

January and February mark the start of the fashion calendar in lots of ways. Firstly the Menswear collections will show AW 2019/20 on 11th January swiftly followed with Haute Couture SS 2019 in Paris.


8th February will see the offerings of Women's A/W RTW 2019/20 starting in New York followed by London and giving way to Milan and Paris.



Fabric sourcing at tradeshow
Image Copyright Magic


These dates will be punctuated with pre-collections and cruise collections and if that wasn't enough to keep you going, all this in conjunction with the season's influx of fashion tradeshows.


Tradeshows can be really exciting, inspirational and informative events to attend, and whether you're an established fashion brand, or a startup entrepreneur you should be attending these shows for a whole host of reasons.



Fashion Tradeshow
Image Copyright Sourcing At Magic

As well as great places to gain new contacts, suppliers and manufacturers these events give you an opportunity to get really hands on. You can touch and handle fabric samples, ask for cuttings, have swatches mailed to you and explore trims in close detail.


On the flip side of these sourcing based shows come the product based shows, where brands and retailers present their new and up-coming collections. This is a perfect chance to gain inspiration from some of the more established retailers, and a chance to learn from the professionals.



Fashion Tradeshow
Image Copyright The London Textile Fair

There are too many shows worldwide to mention in this post, however I have put together a list of my top 10 recommendations for January and February in the UK.


9-10th January

The London Textile Fair

Olympia London

http://thelondontextilefair.co.uk


15-16th January

Fashion SVP

Olympia London

https://www.fashionsvp.com


23rd-24th January

Jacket Required

Old Truman Brewery

http://www.jacket-required.com


27-28th January

London Edge

Business Box London

https://www.londonedge.com


3rd - 7th February

Spring Fair

Birmingham NEC

https://www.springfair.com


10-12th February

Pure | Pure Origin | Pure Man | Bubble

Olympia London

https://www.purelondon.com


10-12th February

Scoop International

Saatchi Gallery

https://scoop-international.com


15th -19th February

London Fashion Week

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk


15th -19th February

London Fashion Week Festival

https://londonfashionweekfestival.com


17-19th February

Moda

Birmingham NEC

https://www.moda-uk.co.uk/about-moda


If you are one of my international based clients, or you'd like a recommendation on a specific type of show to visit you can drop me an email here info@thefashionexpert.co.uk with your questions and I'll try to help.


For further reading on making the most of a tadeshow ready my post 10 TipsTo Ace A Fashion Tradeshow here.


Let me know which tradeshows you are considering this year in the comments below.


Michelle Ramsay

The Fashion Expert®


Fashion Startup Plan For 2019

January signals new beginnings and fresh starts. Its a great window of opportunity to reflect upon last year, what you achieved and perhaps consider what you didn't. But more importantly, it's the perfect time to plan and set goals.


If you're considering launching a new fashion startup brand then this blog post should help you plan a strategy by giving you some pointers of what to bear in mind. You can also download my free Launch Plan For Fashion Startups here.



Free Download - Launch Plan For Fashion Startups
Download my free Launch Plan For Fashion Startups here.



Have a plan

It may sound obvious but you'd be amazed at how many people don't form a plan. A haphazard approach can hinder your progress, so start mapping out how you will launch your fashion collection. In very basic terms, you should think about what you want to achieve, when you want to achieve it and form a strategy of how you are going to get there. These key stages of the strategy should have a rough timeline, so you can breakdown what you will do and when.


Free Launch Plan For Fashion Startups
Make a plan and strategy for your launch

Do your research


Most of my clients are new to the fashion industry, with a day job in a non related sector. Setting up a clothing line is their side hustle, and finding out how to launch a clothing range can be a steep learning curve. You'll need to know how to design your raw ideas into cads, tech packs and size specs. You will also need to consider what happens in sampling and production and how to source factories, fabrics and trims. If you'd like to know the in depth stages involved in setting up a fashion brand there is a wealth of information in my e-book Fashion Startup's Guide To Manufacture.


Invest in experts


We all have skills and talents in particular areas and we play to these strengths in our careers. Launching a fashion brand requires a plethora of skills, and if you don't have them you need to find someone who is an expert in that field. You'll need an experienced designer who can translate your raw ideas into professional fashion drawings, in addition to having the knowledge that can make or break your fashion collection's launch.


Professionally drawn fashion cads, tech packs and size specs
A professional factory pack is essential for your clothing designs.

Stay realistic


When having consultations with clients I aways say it's better to have too many ideas which you can expand into later than having very little in the beginning. You can't do everything all at once so it makes good business sense to concentrate on one road to begin with. Perhaps you wish to launch a fitness apparel brand for both men and women. In this example it might be good to start with one gender first EG menswear. Once the clothing line is established then you'll be in a better position to expand into womenswear.


Fashion designer collection
Decide on a realistic goal and stick to it

Be a tortoise not a hare


In today's world we expect everything instantly. Launching a fashion brand is not a quick process so let's just be clear on that straight away. Although enthusiasm and determination are qualities required in bucketloads, rushing into snap decisions will cost money and time in the long-run. Take your time, do your research and you'll do it correctly.


Hopefully this information has given you food for thought and a starting point for launching your fashion brand.


I'd love to hear about your idea for a fashion start-up! If you would like to talk over your ideas with The Fashion Expert® then you can book in for a consultation here.


Michelle Ramsay

The Fashion Expert®


10 best resources to find new Fashion Trends.

Updated: Dec 1, 2018

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.


Fashion Trends WGSN
Image Copyright WGSN

  1. WGSN

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

£££££


2. Fashion Snoops

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

££££


Fashion Trends Fashion Snoops
Image Copyright Fashion Snoops

3. Trendstop

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

£££


4. Pantone

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

£ Free online


5. Vogue

Best for catwalk coverage and couture designers.

£ Free online


Fashion Trends Vogue
Image Copyright Vogue

6. Elle

Best for their high street takes on couture looks.

£ Free online


7. Pattern Prints Journal

Best for colour and pattern / textile coverage.

£ Free online


8. Print and Pattern

Best for print, surface pattern and childrenswear.

£ Free online


9. The Fashion Spot

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

£ Free online


10. Who What Wear

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.



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