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

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

Spotlight Reviews
A 'must have' title! (2008-10-12)
Customer Review : 5
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

where was this book when i started designing? (2008-08-04)
Customer Review : 5
For anyone that is looking to get into design (or even if you have just started your own line / business), this book is a *must have*. Ms. Gehlhar's breakdown (and overviews) of each category is spot on. I seriously and honestly believe that if this resource had been around when I started my own collection, I would have saved myself a lot of running around and $ in the process. I highly recommend this guide. Plus, it's simply a great read. The insight from other designers profiled is fantastic!

Very Good Book!!! (2008-07-28)
Customer Review : 5
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!!!.

Bible of fashion design business! (2008-07-20)
Customer Review : 5
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.