My top eight tips for aspiring designers.

“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"

Erin Hanson

I recently met with a talented young lady who is just embarking on her fashion journey; she asked me to share some insights for the road ahead. As I reflected on her questions before the meeting, I jotted down some key takeaways that I hoped would steel her against discouragement, help her discover her own “Why”, and inspire her to actively pursue, and never give up on her dream.

One: Discover your 'Why'

Take the time to discover your WHY, what you stand for, and who you are as a designer. Everything you design, and what your brand represents, is rooted in your WHY. It needs to be about much more than just profit—it must meet a need and stem from your deepest values and core believes. If your WHY resonates with people, they will get behind your brand. 

Two: Define your customer

Who is she? Where does she shop? What does she value? What’s her style? How does she spend her time? What does she do in her spare time? Who does she hang out with? Where does she eat out? 

When you build a brand, you’re creating clothes that are an extension of a person’s lifestyle. The clothes communicate someting about who they are and what they value.

Think Ralph Lauren—when you see a RL belt, plaid shirt, or calfskin jacket you automatically associate it with a brand that conveys ‘the American Dream’: high quality rustic interiors, lavish dinner parties, apres-ski in Aspen, summers in the Hamptons, sailing, etc. The clothes you design reflect and fit into your customers’ lifestyle.

Three: Start tiny

Identify your niche, work towards perfecting your prototype, and start. 

Even if you don’t feel 100% ready—just start.

Four: Stay in your lane

Don’t compare yourself to others.Don’t look too much at what others are doing—it will only distract you from your own unique mission and calling as a designer. 

Don’t compromise your style for trends; stay true to who you are and what you stand for.

Five: Minimize distractions

Eliminate or limit anything that takes your focus off your goal. 

Distractions are the killer of creativity. Delete Netflix, Amazon, Tik Tok, and anything else that hijacks your attention, time, and momentum.

If you notice yourself sliding, recognize it, and simply start again. 

Six: Create a mood board

Always remind yourself who you’re designing for! 

Create a mood board that serves as a visual reminder of your brand identity, your values, the style of the women you are designing for, and your own ‘WHY’. Keep it on hand and let it guide everything you do.

Seven: Gain industry experience

Work or intern for a successful designer—that’s the best way to learn how the industry works from the inside, make valuable connections, and gain hands-on experience.

Eight: Find mentors

Connect with people whom you admire and who are successful in your industry—whether it’s other designers or experience professionals in other related professions.

S.K.