SE1

 

First of all, apologies to my diary readers for skipping last week…..I wish I could have a proper excuse like a shopping trip to Milano. But no, I was stuck at home, finishing March Tax Returns (still chasing some invoices, Inland Revenue will be tired of hearing my excuses for late returns..) and evaluating our business model, while thinking what kind of nappies we should buy for the baby…decisions, decisions…

Running your own business means that you need to be on your toes constantly. I could not summarise it better than Matthew Williams in March Elle (I even cut out the article and stuck it on my diary for reminder)

 

 â€œFashion is relentless industry; this industry never gives up. You can’t just get off the wheel when you feel like it, you can’t say “Oh I think I’ll give it a miss this season. Once you commit, that’s it and it has to be your life.”

 

Of course this could be applied to any business but the fashion industry particularly is tough. It ends up becoming your life – ask any designer (your husband or boyfriend (if you have time for one) will not be too happy about it).

 

 

 

 

Clothes have become cheaper and better and customers more demanding. Catwalk rip offs are being produced by massive high street retailers at staggering speeds, not to mention new stock arriving every week!!!!!! And even supermarkets are now producing must have items, such as Tesco’s sold out Chloe rip off green chiffon dress two seasons ago. How are we small budding fashion designers meant to find our customer base and convince the audience to buy our designs when H&M around the corner is selling something remotely close 60% cheaper?

 

Well this is what I have been thinking over the last few weeks….Bad weather is obviously a contributing factor for poor sales and there is nothing you can do about it (unless you know some ancient ritual to push those rainy clouds away, thank you very much..). This year’s Easter sales were 20% behind last year’s figures so its not only us small business owners but the high street giants are also suffering.  Magazines such as Drapers gives you a good industry overview and are worth reading when evaluating your business model.  Hopefully this raised some thoughts, because next week, I will give you an insight a la SE1 how to evaluate your business model.

 

I do not know if it’s the weather, poor sales or the last week’s of the pregnancy  that has made me so cynical, so my apologies. Some good news is that I have finally taken some time off for those pregnancy treatments – massages and Claridges facials………highly recommended by the way (just do not tell your other half how much it was). Oh, and the wrap dresses have nearly sold out, but do not worry new prints are coming soon. Take care yourself, see you next week!