Just a few words from some who have read the E-book. I'll keep adding reviews either here on on the homepage. 

I personally find the overview of your journey through the fashion world particularly inspiring. Your personal and honest approach within the book and your detailed discussions will definitely benefit many students who wish to pursue a career within this industry.

We spent a vast amount of time during my second year discussing Fashion Buying, brand, product development and alternative chains of distribution available to fashion brands. We produced case studies that focused on brands whose primary method of getting their products to the final consumer was something other than permanent retail stores. We also constructed our own fictional businesses and had to construct buying plans etc. Your accounts and experiences that you have explained within the book and your knowledge of the business would have definitely benefited me during last year's project.

Previously to my second year, my fellow students and I held the impression that fashion buyers led a 'glits and glam' lifestyle. However, our initial perceptions were soon changed after hearing stories throughout the year from buyers from different levels of the industry. We soon learn't that it is in fact extremely difficult and as you described 'often a thankless task'. I feel this book supports that notion and gives a realistic and truthful view point which would be extremely beneficial to a student aspiring to pursue a similar career path in the future.

Typically, whilst I have been studying in University, the majority of books that I have studied or read have been historical or theory based. However, this e-book is a lot more insightful and interesting in comparison. I would opt for it over a theory book any day and I am sure many students would agree!!

Kind Regards,

Clare

Final Year Fashion Student

 School of Creative & Cultural Industries- Cardiff.

My recommendation was pretty much in-line with yours: call the boutique buyers, do go-see's Tues-Thur betw 10 & 3, etc. I'm going to refer several people to your website so they can purchase their own copy of your book. I will let them know that it's specific to the UK wholesale trade; but, the advice and business sense are solid and easily adaptable regardless of market.

They will have to integrate what you're saying for themself and understand local law and how they need to write their contracts/policies. But, again, it's all extremely solid information. BTW: I especially like that you are clear about PR, after-the-sales support and the stuff the design company needs to do to encourage prompt payment from their stores. And, the value of hiring a sales rep - if only to insulate the designer's ego. Incidentally, several sales reps that I've spoken to, recently, tell me they won't look at repping a line until the brand has established at least $100K gross sales, each season, for at least 2 years. I can agree with that because I feel the designer should prove the concept viable, burn-in the CMT and supply chain, etc. before asking for a sales rep to help expand their customer base.

I'm also ecstatic that you talk frankly about factors. Some numbers I hear, over-and-over, is that North American factors don't want to look at a company who is not writing at least $400K gross sales each season, for at least 3 consecutive seasons. I use this conjecture to put perspective on getting a factor to underwrite sales in order to fund production. I don't know where some designers got this idea; but, several don't think they need to be solvent and that they can use PO financing or deposits from retailers to fund production.

Denver