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Kemal Forrester

For Timeless Style In A Trend Driven World

February 4, 2019

Fashion Question Of The Week - How Can I Start An Online Accessories Store

by Kemal Forrester in fashion career advice


FQ5-02.png
FQ5-02.png

Question:

How can I start an online accessories store?

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TAGS: how to start a fashion business, ecommerce store, online store, ecommerce, how to start an online store, fashion business advice


January 30, 2019

The Various Divisions Of Fashion - Fashion Stylist

by Kemal Forrester in fashion career advice


Fashion Stylist-02.png
Fashion Stylist-02.png

FASHION STYLIST

One of the most popular and recognized jobs in the fashion industry. I am sure that when you hear of fashion stylist you think celebrities, but a position as a stylist is not limited to the world of entertainment. In the private sector, they can work for politicians or private clients for events. Many Fashion Stylists have a background in Fashion Design, but this is not necessary to start a career as a stylist, although it is helpful.

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TAGS: how to become a fashion stylist, fashion stylist, how to break into fashion, launch your fashion career, how much money does a fashion stylist make, fashion industry, fashion jobs


January 28, 2019

Fashion Question Of The Week - Are There Straight Menswear Designers In The Fashion Industry?

by Kemal Forrester in fashion career advice


Question:

I’m interested in becoming a menswear fashion designer, but I’m a straight black male. I’m concerned as to how well-received that will be in this industry. Has the overall perception against straight men in the fashion industry changed at all?

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TAGS: mens fashion, Fashion Design, fashion designer, virgil abloh, ralph lauren, calvin klein, john varvatos, off white, lvmh, louis vuitton, fashion resources, fashion industry


January 24, 2019

What All Independent Designers Need To Know

by Kemal Forrester in Fashion Business


WITHOUT GUIDANCE, KNOWLEDGE CAN COME WITH A STEEP LEARNING CURVE

This is often the greatest issue for independent designers with limited industry experience. As a result, I have witnessed designers make errors that resulted in huge setbacks. Why?

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TAGS: fashion designer, fashion industry, accessories designer, fashion management, fashion consultant, fashion business advice, fashion company


January 21, 2019

Fashion Question Of The Week - How Can A Major In International Relations Prepare Me For A Career In Fashion?

by Kemal Forrester in fashion career advice


Question:

How Can A Major In International Relations Prepare Me For A Career In Fashion?

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TAGS: fashion career, career tips, marketing, fashion marketing


January 14, 2019

Fashion Question Of The Week - What Are The Career Options With A Career In Fashion Design?

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues, fashion career advice


I like this question! A degree in fashion design there are quite a number of career options, but it depends on you area of interest. Here is a list of entry-level options below:

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TAGS: fashion career, fashion design, fashion resources, career tips


January 9, 2019

Behind The Design - Gucci

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues


Gucci.jpg
Gucci.jpg

I was once asked about Gucci's position in the fashion world; does it stack up against its competitors & does this fashion house still have a future given its challenges.

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TAGS: fashion education, gucci, luxury brands, luxury goods, fashion industry


January 7, 2019

Fashion Question Of The Week - Do I Need Design School To Start My Own Line

by Kemal Forrester in fashion career advice


FQ1-02.png
FQ1-02.png

Is it better to go to school for design when wanting to start a fashion line or can someone get by with talent alone?

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TAGS: fashion designer, fashion business, how to break into fashion


January 2, 2019

Why Now Is The Best Time To Start Your Own Brand

by Kemal Forrester in Fashion Business


Why Now Is-02.png
Why Now Is-02.png

The year 2019 is here, could this be your year? How long are you going to wait to take the leap of faith to launch your own line? There is no “right” time or “right amount of money to get started.

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TAGS: fashion management, fashion designer, fashion career, fashion startup, fashion brand, launch a fashion brand, fashion branding


December 4, 2018

Why Marketing Is Not A One Size Fits All Strategy

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues


The saying “if you market to everyone, you appeal to no one” is one of the most sobering quotes about product promotion. Marketing requires a specific approach to capture the attention of your ideal customer. This includes taking into consideration the sex, gender, ethnic group, age, socioeconomic background and geographical location of your target audience. Sounds kind of complicated, right? Well, let’s look at the breakdown of each category.

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TAGS: fashion consultant, fashion business advice, fashion business, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion marketing, business consultant, consulting, marketing, fashion startup, fashion startup consultant


October 31, 2018

How Much Money Does It Cost To Launch A Fashion Brand?

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, How to break into fashion


How Much-02.png
How Much-02.png

One out of every ten fashion brands WILL fail within their first year and many more will continue to fold before hitting the five-year mark. There are several reasons for this, but lets look at the five most crucial reasons your fashion brand could fail.

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TAGS: fashion startup, fashion branding, fashion brand, launch a fashion brand, fashion business, fashion business advice, fashion company, fashion management


October 23, 2018

Top 5 Reasons Your Fashion Brand Could Fail

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues, fashion career advice, How to break into fashion


Top Five Reasons -02.png
Top Five Reasons -02.png

One out of every ten fashion brands WILL fail within their first year and many more will continue to fold before hitting the five-year mark. There are several reasons for this, but lets look at the five most crucial reasons your fashion brand could fail.

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TAGS: fashion designer, fashion brand, fashion consultant, business consultant, fashion business consultancy, fashion business, how to start a fashion business, fashion management, fashion company


October 10, 2018

French Savoir Faire - What Is It?

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Did you know that all of the terms used in English to describe something done passionately or with a unique quality are in French?

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TAGS: French Luxury Brands, Savoir Faire, luxury brands, luxury goods, customer service, craftsmanship, branding, Paris fashion, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion marketing, fashion branding services, fashion branding, fashion management


October 2, 2018

Why French Luxury Sets The Bar For High Fashion

by Kemal Forrester in Fashion, Designer Monologues


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Why French Luxury-02.png

You haven’t really made it until your brand has broken ground in Paris. This is the consensus of the industry. Many global brands have struggled to break into the Paris luxury world, including the likes of Victoria’s Secret who, despite its popularity in the US and its highly received televised fashion show, remains somewhat excluded.

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TAGS: luxury brands, French, French Luxury Brands, Quality, Chanel, Laduree, Savoir Faire, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion marketing, fashion management


January 3, 2018

The #1 Thing Aspiring Fashion Professionals Need To Know

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues


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The #1 Thing-02.png

Okay, usually when you think of a brand, I am certain that a product or service comes to mind. Lately, there has been quite a bit of talk about personal branding. If you haven't read my previous post about it, then you must have heard the term floating around, somewhere. Well, what I want to share with you is, personal branding has become the standard, especially, in the competitive world of fashion. 

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TAGS: fashion career, career tips, personal branding, personal brand, fashion industry, how to break into fashion


October 23, 2017

How To Advance Your Fashion Career - 5 Free Resources

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, fashion career advice


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How To Advance-02.png

In a previous post, I shared with you the languages important to the industry of fashion. Look, I know you may not have the time to sit in a class or the funds to pay for a private tutor. Nonetheless, learning another language makes you more valuable, period! It has been proven that fashion professionals who know another language are in a better position to succeed professionally. 

So, without further adieu, I will share 5 free or relatively inexpensive options to learn a foreign language. 

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TAGS: Foreign Language, French, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Language Learning, career tips, fashion career, how to break into fashion


October 9, 2017

3 Basics Of Financial Management For Your Brand

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, fashion career advice


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Three Basics Of-02.png

I can’t stress how important it is that you must have strong management of your business finances if you hope to have brand longevity. Unfortunately, many designers and fashion business owners don’t always make this a priority. However, if you aren’t careful, you could find yourself pulling the plug on your brand. Check out 3 simple tips below to "keep you in the black”:

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TAGS: fashion resources, fashion company, fashion business, fashion business advice, financial management, how to start a fashion business


September 18, 2017

What Is “Slow Fashion”? How It's Transforming The Fashion Industry

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


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What Is Slow-02.png

I am sure you have heard the term “slow fashion” being thrown around quite a bit recently. Legendary designer, Vivienne Westwood has always been an advocate of "buy less, choose well, make it last".Over the past couple of years slow fashion has been a growing movement to get consumers to purchase practical apparel options for quality at a slightly higher price and to turn away from fast fashion brands like Zara’s & H&M. Let’s find out why:

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TAGS: slow fashion, fashion industry, fashion designer, Fashion Design, eco fashion


August 28, 2017

The Problem With Plus-Size Lines

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Plus-Size Clothing Lines.jpg
Plus-Size Clothing Lines.jpg

There is a reason the plus-size industry struggles to be taken seriously in spite of the demand. It would appear that many designers for this market segment just tend to size up trendy styles rather than to create pieces that will complement women with curves. All silhouettes were not created equal. If you were to line up 10 women who were a size 16, some would be smaller than others. I have seen women of this size with a flat tummy and a small bust and others with ample busts and slim legs. Let's face it, from the pear shaped to slim figures, women need garments which will mask imperfections or minimize trouble areas if any, while emphasizing their best attributes. This is especially true for women size 16+. Now, let's tackle some of the key reasons these lines fall flat. 

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TAGS: Plus-Size, Plus Size Clothing, Clothing lines, fashion industry, fashion designer, plus size designer


August 7, 2017

5 Reasons Designers Need A Fashion Business Consultant

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, fashion career advice


Business Consultant IMAGE.jpg
Business Consultant IMAGE.jpg

Let's face it, if you are a Designer you only want to create and in many cases you know very little, if anything about the business side of fashion. A consultant can advise you and give you the necessary tools to launch and manage a successful business. Now, with that said, let's delve into the reasons a Fashion Business Consultant is vital to the launch and maintenance of your brand.

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TAGS: fashion business advice, fashion industry, fashion designer, fashion startup, fashionservices, fashion branding services, fashion resources, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion management


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@KemalForrester On instagram
The work ethic is worth more than the money. If you work hard enough & show passion, the money will find its way to you. #fridayvibe #fridaymotivation
Transparency is the name of the game. It’s important to know that craftsmanship & quality is apart of your process. These are some of the things that justify a higher price point. #savoirfaire #luxuryproducts
There is something to be said for the feeling a woman gets when she has found the perfect dress or pair of shoes. The man who has found the suit that will help him look to part to seal the deal. I could go on & on about how fashion & beauty can affect, even transform lives. There is honor in what you do, remember that. #businessmotivation #fashionbiz
Work mode vibes #thankgoditsmonday #moneymakingmonday
Sundays are often a day of relaxation & reflection. As a result, our minds can become flooded with thoughts of the past week&/or the week ahead. The good news is, we don’t have to focus on the negative or believe any of the negative thoughts that may come to mind. Remember, we are usually our toughest critics. #sundayinspiration #sundayvibes✨
Looking forward to the moment when Spring has sprung to wear a little number like this from @aym.studio #springstyleinspo #stylevibes
Sometimes as a designer, there is a tendency to over design, but the key is often restraint. #quoteoftheday✏️ #nicholasburroughs
Which diamond 💍 is your favorite? #tbt #cartierjewelry
The fortune is in the follow through & the follow-up #businessadvice #businesstip

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