How to Open a Fashion Boutique

These are the first steps you will need to take in order to start a fashion boutique. You will want to start at least six months before the actual opening of your store, and a big part of the reason why is because buying works so far ahead of the season. For example, buying for fall closes in April, holiday closes mid August, and Spring closes at the end of the year before.

Create A Business Plan
This is a given. Be sure to think about everything you'll need to budget for; supplies, advertising, services and of course merchandise. It never hurts to inquire about advertising prices and what not ahead of time. If your store is brick and mortar, you'll need to get with a real estate agent and start looking for a location. And be ready for paperwork galore! You'll need at least a wholesale license, EID and business license before you begin.

Get the Merchandise
You'll need to decide what brands you want to carry. However, the catch is that just because you want to carry a brand doesn't mean you'll be able to. A lot of this depends on where your store is located (even if it's online). On top of that, some labels are just very picky and protective of their brand. So be sure to have a long list of lines that you like, and inquire before settling your mind on anything.

Once you have your shortlist, get in touch with the lines sales rep. The sales rep is usually the one who you'll do all your buying through, and there are different reps depending on where you live (usually East Coast and West Coast). If you're on the West Coast, take a look through the LA Fashion Wholesale Index to find out who the rep is and how to get in contact with him or her. It's also good to look on the labels official website for sales rep, wholesale or showroom info. Once you have the information on hand, email the sales rep and ask for a linesheet (it's good to include a bit of info about the store as well, even if it's new). The linesheet will show you all of the styles for the upcoming season as well as the wholesale prices. From here you can plan your merchandise budget and choose which labels are best for your store.

Eventually make an appointment with the rep to see the clothing in person. This is usually done during market week, which comes up about every three months. The biggest market is in New York, followed by Los Angeles as well as Atlanta and Chicago. There's also MAGIC in Las Vegas, the biggest fashion tradeshow in the country, happening twice yearly.

Prepare the Store
Now it's time to start buying a lot of the things you added to your budget. This includes store supplies, fixtures, and possibly even advertising. If you plan on having a website it's a good idea to start looking for ecommerce packages (Yahoo Small Business and Monster Commerce are good ones) and finding the right graphic designer to create a unique look for your store, and perhaps a coder to customize a few things. Chances are you'll need a photographer as well. It can take time to find people are who are truely skilled and reliable at these things, so it's never too early to start looking. Web developers especially can be quite fickle, so that's one thing you'll want to get started on as quickly as possible.

It's a good idea to take a look at other boutiques, both brick and mortar and online (if you're doing both) and see what their stores look like. Then you'll need to decide how you can do what they're doing but in your own unique way, and better.

Get an inside look at how to start a fashion boutique from an actual fashion boutique owner at Kimberly's blog OohLaLuxe.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Joy

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A Handbags Woman

A handbag or a purse is a necessary accessory for women. Not only are they fashionable but also functional. They answer the call to fashion as well as function. That’s what you can expect from a Sondra Roberts handbag. Handbags have been around for numerous generations. Ever since recorded history began, handbags have been known to be useful for women, and even men! A handbag is a true companion that holds things like wallets, keys, cell phones, debit/credit cards, tissues, business cards, lipsticks, blush, etc.

During the early years, handbags were not carried in the hand; instead women use to wear handbags around their waist. If you glance-back into the history of Ancient Egypt, you can easily get references that prove that both male and female wore small carrying bags. It was only after the early 20th century that the term handbag was becoming more popular and consequently the trend shifted to only women carrying handbags.

Women and handbags go hand in hand. She makes sure that all the things that she needs are easily accessible so that she is safeguarded for any occasion or event.

Handbags are so popular today because they are stylish, functional, and most of all a fashion statement in itself. Because of their popularity during emerging fashion trends, handbags come in different styles and sizes. Designer handbags are in vogue. Now let’s look into the different styles of handbags, they are as follows:

Satchel handbags - Satchel handbags are identified by two short handles and straps and are quite large. They are ideally meant for travel and journeys. Tote handbags - This kind of handbags displays a flaunting stylish-and-crazy fashion. Tote-bags vary in shapes, sizes, and materials. They have two handles and are usually made of canvas and are more durable than many other types of handbags. They are multi-purposed. They can be used to carry books, clothes, and even groceries. The lightweight of tote handbags also make it useful to be carried to the beach.

Shoulder handbags – Simply put, handbags that can be worn over the shoulder, are called shoulder handbags. They normally have one or two straps to secure over the shoulder.

Clutch handbags - They are small, rectangular in shape, and usually holds small items like keys, business cards, lipsticks, combs, etc. Great for evening and formal attire ladies!

Apart from the aforementioned varieties of handbags, there are also other styles of handbags. Shopper handbags, Messenger handbags, the Balentine Bag, the Accordion bag, Slings handbags, etc. are other styles of women handbags. For a full range, visit handbags by Sondra Roberts.

Amanda Pressley is a bagista.She dedicates most of her time to the latest handbag fashions and trends. In her spare time, Amanda writes in vogue articles on purses and handbags and she can be followed at her handbag blog.

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Wedding Gowns - After the Event

So many brides spend literally thousands of dollars on perfect wedding gowns, that it can seem a real shame just to discard their precious wedding gowns, after the day is done. But, let's face it, when else would you actually have the opportunity to wear a wedding dress? So, unfortunately, most wedding gowns simply end up in storage; there must be a better way.

Wedding Gowns Through the Generations

Fashion does come and go, and wedding gowns are no exceptions. You may find that within a couple of decades old wedding gowns come back into fashion and are often of considerable sentimental value. So store your gown wisely and you may get to see your daughter or grand-daughter enjoying the same dress, in years to come.

If you have opted for one of the simple wedding gowns that are classical and dateless, the chances of your gown being worn by future generations, is even greater. Don't be embarrassed to mention your stored wedding gown to the younger members of your family; they may be delighted to save some money and to carry on a family tradition.

Altering Wedding Gowns

Another popular choice involves altering wedding gowns, so that they can be used as other dresses or items of clothing. This is a particularly good idea if you have chosen one of the two-piece wedding gowns that are currently very popular. With these types of wedding gowns it is particularly easy to use either the top or bottom of the dress as a separate item of clothing.

If you have chosen a one-piece wedding gown, then you can still ask a seamstress to split the bodice from the skirt part of the dress, in order to create two different items of clothing that can be used, on other smart occasions.

Other Ideas for Wedding Gowns

Many wedding gowns end up being sold after the big day. This is a great way to supplement the initial costs of married life; it also provides others with an opportunity to purchase a cheap wedding gown.

If you are feeling a little more giving, then why not donate your wedding gown to a local charity? By giving your wedding gown to a charity you can feel that you are really helping out, whilst also clearing some space in your home.

For those who choose to throw away their old wedding gowns, it is advisable that you keep a small section of the material, so that you can put it in your wedding album as part of your wedding memories.

Wedding gowns are such an important part of the wedding day that deciding what to do with your gown after the big event should be a matter of priority.

Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. She makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now http://www.weddingfinery.com

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