Designing a handbag can be the best way to express creative ideas and hone skills, as well as bring financial benefits. You can pursue this activity as a hobby or a profession. It may take time to make your dreams come true, but by taking the time to learn about fashion trends and create attractive bag prototypes and samples, you can become a successful bag designer. If you are willing to work hard and have the patience, get ready to conquer the world of fashion and have it in your hands!
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Part 1 of 3: Developing Skills
Step 1. Develop your sewing and leather handling skills
You'll have to make your own bags when you start this business, even if that means learning to sew. In this way, you not only save money, but also get to understand the intricacies of the creative process of making bags. This knowledge is very important when you start selecting material manufacturers and suppliers.
- By being involved in the production process, you can control it. What better way to make your own bag than making your own?
- As you continue to design bags, you must also develop your skills. For example, if you are designing a bag out of cloth, it never hurts to learn how to weave. Of course, you should also know how to sew a zipper on a bag.
Step 2. Get a degree in fashion if you want a career in this field
You may need to study fashion design for 2-4 years at a recognized college if this profession is going to be your main income. This degree can make the difference between positive and negative responses to the designs you create when you start presenting ideas to shops and manufacturers.
- The courses offered will teach you the basic techniques of design, production and art. Some colleges also offer courses in business and marketing that are very useful for you.
- You can also do internships with well-known bag designers or other companies in the fashion industry while still in the learning stage.
- Getting a degree in fashion design isn't a guarantee that you'll be successful, and if you don't have the money to go to college, there's no need to push yourself to get it. What's more important is having a passion for creating creative and unique designs!
Step 3. Get inspired by researching fashion trends
When starting a career in design, it's important to know what's out there and what people are passionate about. You can become an obsessive follower of magazines and fashion shows. Pay attention and take note of the colors, shapes, sizes, and styles that are currently popular to consider where the right place for your design bag is in the world of handbags.
You can interview friends and family to find out what they are looking for in a bag. Notice if they use different bags for different occasions
Step 4. Determine what sets your bag apart from the rest
While you need to be aware of the bag trends that are currently popular, your design bag should be able to compete and have surprises. Think about what characteristics you want most in a bag, and start from there. You'll be more comfortable designing something that makes you happy.
Perhaps the reason that prompted you to enter the world of bag design is that you didn't manage to get the bag that you wanted. If you're having a hard time finding the perfect bag, surely someone else has had the same problem
Part 2 of 3: Making Bag Prototypes and Samples
Step 1. Make a concept board and sketch to plan everything out
Whenever you see a picture of a bag, dress, or anything else that sparks creative ideas for design, stick it to the wall or bulletin board. Sit next to the board and make a rough sketch of the bag with a pencil. After that, you can add details with colored pens and pencils, or use a computer program to create a digital sketch.
Don't underestimate a sketch that starts with a pencil. Pencil scratches can be erased easily. This low pressure stationery will give you the freedom to draw and create designs without worrying about making mistakes
Step 2. Build a cost-effective prototype using less expensive materials
This prototype is an early stage product that allows you to make changes to the bag before mass production and selling it. Don't spend too much money on this "draft" bag. You can spend a lot of money making products ready to share with your corporate buyers and loyal customers.
For this purpose, you may have to use synthetic leather instead of genuine leather. If you are adding stone or metal trim to the final product, use faux decoration for the prototype
Step 3. Inspect the bag and make changes carefully to perfect it
Only a few changes can be made to the sketch. The best part about prototyping is that you can make improvements to the real product. Be critical of your designed bag and ask yourself how it satisfies the customer and if there is anything that will disappoint them.
Will this luxury bag be scratched or damaged if used continuously? Is there a way to make it stronger? Is the bag comfortable enough to carry around? Can the bag hold all the essentials, including a cell phone, wallet, and some cosmetics?
Step 4. Look for manufacturers when you are ready to mass produce the bags
Manufacturers can quickly produce a large number of products according to your specifications in terms of design and materials. They will make prototypes and, more interestingly, samples.
- Prototypes help you make changes and improve designs. On the other hand, samples prepare the product for mass production. Samples allow you and the manufacturer to estimate production costs and selling prices, provide sellers and buyers with bag samples, and have something to photograph.
- Look for manufacturer information on the internet. You can search for manufacturer information in your area, and broaden your search according to the manufacturer criteria you need.
Step 5. Pricing the product carefully
You and the manufacturer will likely spend a lot of time discussing production costs and the best price so you can make a profit. During this discussion, do some research on the internet and fashion magazines to compare the price of your bag to other similar bags. Don't let your bag be too expensive or too cheap to attract customers' attention.
Step 6. Launch your product once it's perfect
Contact local and reputable retailers and have samples ready to ship to them. You can do online research to get to know potential sellers and make sure your products match what they currently offer customers.
- Start with a local retailer. This way, you can get detailed feedback from customers and shop owners as you sell products in your own community.
- Submit a sample image of your bag to popular fashion blogs to create enthusiasm. Retailers are looking for products that have marketability.
Part 3 of 3: Expanding Business
Step 1. Create a business plan to help you avoid deviating from your goals
If you're just starting out, it's important to monitor how much money you want to spend, and how much you want to earn. It's also important to take the time to consider who your customers are and how your designed bag will excite and fascinate them.
Step 2. Create an online platform to get customers
Once you have an established product line or product set, take advantage of all available online platforms to introduce it to the world. Social media is very effective at letting thousands, if not millions of people know that you are ready to create the perfect bag for them.
- Create a website or write a blog as a means to document the entire bag-making process. People will love seeing how you got started and watching the transformation of your designed bag from nothing to a beautiful finished product!
- Build an online store through a website like Etsy. Etsy is an established platform that is easy to use and reliable. Apart from that, Etsy will give you good exposure.
- Share great photos of finished products or production processes via Instagram.
- Use Twitter and Facebook to send funny messages that can add personality to your brand as well as your products.
- Use LinkedIn to develop the professional side of your business. People may use LinkedIn to find out whether they can work with or even for you.
Step 3. Sell your masterpieces at craft fairs like INACRAFT and bazaars
Look for weekly bazaar events in your hometown. This outdoor exhibition is a lot of fun, especially ahead of big celebrations like Lebaran or Christmas. This kind of event can be an effective place to test your first design.
- Starting with something small will keep your initial costs down because you may have to make the first few products of your own bag. This way, you don't have to work with the manufacturer until you're ready.
- Ask people what they think of your bag when they visit the booth. Even if no one buys anything from you, craft fairs are ideal for getting good and honest feedback.
Step 4. Create a portfolio with professional photos
Don't let your career as a bag designer drop halfway because of bad photos taken with your phone camera! Hiring a professional photographer may be expensive, but the investment will be worth it. Your bag deserves a photo that showcases it in all its glory.
- If you really don't have the funds to take great photos, maybe a friend or family member has a sophisticated camera. Many people have a hobby of photography and a close friend may be willing to help in exchange for a free bag (or a big discount).
- This also applies to websites. The website will look unprofessional because of the bad photos.
Step 5. Find a publicist or sales agent to represent your product
Public relations and sales agents help you market your products to more customers and get better offers from retailers. However, you should wait until your bag provides a steady income before hiring these professionals as they will take a percentage of your profits. Do some research online to find an agent who represents a seller like you because that means they have hands-on experience with your specific market.
Step 6. Show your products at a fashion show or fashion show
Showing your products at fashion shows allows other designers, celebrities, and models to get a chance to see your work. Spectacular events like this are very glamorous and get high publicity. So, don't waste the opportunity as it is ideal to showcase your unique and new products.
In some cases, a fashion show may ask a newcomer designer to present their product, but you can also pay for a place to show your product
Step 7. Increase exposure by donating your products to charity events
Offering your bag as a gift or raffle prize at a charity event gives you two advantages; You can get involved with a worthy cause that you believe in and introduce your product to new people. Big and gala events like this usually attract the elite of the rich and famous. If a celebrity wins your bag and uses it, it will earn you a lot of free publicity!
