Starting a new clothing brand is an expensive endeavour.
Within the traditional model of fashion design, emerging fashion entrepreneurs generally need to jump through fire hoops and make a huge upfront investment to cover the cost of fabrics, design tools and manufacturing.
Well, not anymore.
Banana exists to disrupt the traditional way of doing things. We provide guides, easy-to-use design tools, tips, tricks and introductions to top-tier, specialty producers who will help you bring your designs to life - all without that upfront investment.
By supporting creators to launch preorder campaigns for their designs, and only producing what’s sold, we’re working to champion a low-waste fashion ecosystem.
Sound interesting? Read on for our easy step-by-step guide on how to create with us.
Step 1: Register with Banana
Firstly, register with Banana as a creator. It is the first step towards designing and starting your clothing brand. Got a sartorial idea you’ve been dying to bring to life? We'll provide the tools, partners and guides to get you started. Then all you have to do is bring your creative thinking and online community along for the ride. So register your interest and we’ll be in touch.
Step 2: Welcome aboard!
Welcome to Banana! We recommend spending time to going through the guides and getting yourselves comfortable with the design tools. Once you feel ready, start designing your products! You’ll be putting your creative brain to good use and getting a name and identity ready for your brand. Now, got your name, logo and overall vibe sorted? Great, now is the time to set up an online shopfront — don’t worry, we’ll take you through it step-by-step over on the platform.
Step 3: Playtime
When you’re happy with your final designs, you’ll connect with one of our factory partners and start the sampling process. This is a partnership between the two of you and you’ll work together to refine your designs and get everything ready for sampling.
Step 4: Sampling
Samples allow you to see (and touch) your garments in real life. You will make decisions on fabric, colours, and fit for a final sample. It may take a few rounds to get the samples right but you will work directly with the factory until you are happy with your product.
Step 5: Time to start your clothing brand
Having your samples ready to go means you’re all set to launch your campaign. You’ll need to take pictures of your products on yourself, a model or as a stylish flat lay and upload everything to your Banana storefront. You’ll then set the campaign period, retail price, fit details and product descriptions and open your campaign for preorder.
Step 6: Race to the MOQ
Now is the time to start your marketing push! Start to engage with your online community, friends and family and encourage as many preorders as you need to hit your MOQ. Once you’ve hit your MOQ, your garments will be made.
Step 7: 🥁
Watch those preorders roll in!
Step 8: How did it go?
If the preorder campaign has been a success your designs will go into production with your factory partner. If not (and not every product designed is popular – nothing wrong with that!), the campaign will expire. However, you will have saved yourself from investing in a product that might not achieve commercial success. Plus you can always go back to the drawing board and start on your next creative idea.
Step 9: Manufacture & Shipping
Your producer will get busy making your garments, which will ship directly to your customers within 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 10: 💰
Congratulations, you’ve just launched a fashion brand! 🎉
Register here to start a fashion brand with Banana or contact us direct to partner up as a manufacturer.
