The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Revised and Expanded Edition: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business (Paperback)

by Mary Gehlhar (Author), Diane Von Furstenberg (Foreword)
Key Phrases: purchase order financing, emerging designers, fabric suppliers, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, New York, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“For anyone interested in being a fashion designer or working in the fashion industry, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide is the quintessential must-read.”

—Tim Gunn, Bravo's Project Runway

 

“For anyone seeking to compete and succeed in our crowded and highly competitive industry, Mary’s comprehensive advice is required reading.”

—Peter D. Arnold, President, Cynthia Rowley

 

“It takes more then just a creative idea to succeed as a fashion designer. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide will help bring ideas to the marketplace.  It is a comprehensive overview of the business side of fashion that offers detailed practices and specific tools that are required to become a working designer.”

—Steven Kolb, Executive Director, Council of Fashion Designers of America

Product Description
Mary Gehlhar, author, industry authority, and consultant to hundreds of designers, including Zac Posen, Twinkle by Wenlan, Rebecca Taylor, and Cloak, gives readers behind-the-scenes insights and essential business information on creating and sustaining a successful career as an independent designer.

 

With advice from fashion luminaries including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Tyler, and top executives from Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, this fully updated and revised edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide addresses the latest trends in apparel and accessories, the newest designers, an updated introduction, and a new foreword by Diane von Furstenberg, Designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

 

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including:

 

* How to create a viable business plan

* Figuring out how much money you need, where and how to get it, and how to make it last, including the latest on private equity

* The best sources for fabric and materials

* Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad

* Marketing, branding, and getting the product into the stores and into the customer’s closets

* Romancing the press, dressing celebrities, and creative publicity techniques

* Producing a runway show that will get results

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing; Exp Rev edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1427797102
• ISBN-13: 978-1427797100
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > Designers
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book!!!, July 28, 2008

By	Angel P.V. (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This book is by far the best book I've read. Really helpful step by step guide. I've learned so much from this book. The author also gives insight on the up's and down's of what it is like in the Industry. I highly recommend this book to Fashion Designers. A real, MUST HAVE!!!.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bible of fashion design business! , July 20, 2008

By	Alisa (Chico, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I've read a few books on how to start and run your own fashion design business, and this is one of the best ones I've read so far. Not only is it shorter then a lot of the huge books, but it's too the point and Mary writes in a style that is very easy to understand. She gives great advise and there are good examples and pictures in the book to help you further understand how to do things the best way. I have the first edition that she wrote and that one is great also but this one has new sections and it's a more complete form of the business process.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must have' title!, October 11, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

If you're a fashion designer with a personal line or label, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide is a 'must have' pick. Libraries and individuals needing fashion designer business savvy will find here a fine guide on all the industry basics, from how to find financing and market and manufacture a line to the experiences of industry pros from Tommy Hilfiger to lesser-knowns such as Zac Posen. The revised, updated edition also offers tips on business plans, sources for fabric and materials, introducing a brand to a store, and organizing a runway show. Essential: a 'must have' title!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch