Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life and it reinvents itself constantly offering endless opportunities for creativity and profit. This is a quote from Bill Cunningham.
The fashion industry is experiencing a reinvention where trends emerge, evolve and captivate audiences with each passing season. An often overlooked yet essential element in the design process is Trimmings.
Essence Of Trimmings
Trimmings are decorative elements or finishing touches added to garments, accessories, and textiles to enhance their designs, qualities or styles. Trimmings includes items like buttons, lace, ribbons, bed, zippers among others. It can transform basic clothing pieces into fashionable, high-ends items.
Mrs Nike Emiabata, a dealer in Trimmings at the Lagos market said: “Making money in trimmings can be a lucrative business as designers, individuals among others look for unique, sustainable and creative materials. These are some ways you can turn fashion trimmings into a profitable business.”
Business Capital
Trimmings, especially, swavovski, are expensive because of labour and material used in the making process. It’s important that once purchased. Others like handbags, hats, footwear and jewelry rely heavily on trimmings for added style and flair.
According to Dunni Abass whose mum deals in wholesale marketting of trimming, “by incorporating customized or specialty trimmings, you can design and sell distinctive accessories that stand out. By creating fashion-forward bags, shoes, and accessories by incorporating decorative trimmings such as tassels, beads, or intricate embroidery, and sell them through local boutiques, online marketplaces, or your own retail store.
“Additionally, transform smaller trimmings like beads, charms, or fabric remnants into unique jewelry pieces, including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, offering customers exclusive, handcrafted adornments.
“Your initial capital depends on where you wants to play in the market, that is, retail market or wholesale. For retail market, you need a minimum of N500,000 to engage the manufacturers to design and then sell to customers. For wholesale business, you will need a minimum of N1.5 million (A million and half).”
Challenges
It is indeed challenging to deal in trimmings business because of volatility of the products which are largely imported. Mrs Emiabata said, “just like other businesses in the fashion designer supply chain, marketing your products has got to be intentional as you will have competitors willing to attract the same customers you want to. Customer satisfaction is key and it will lead to customer retention. I use my social media page to engage clients and give them discounts sometimes when they market is bearish.”
Return On Investment
Nike Emiabata noted that, if one has a stable customer, it is possible to make up to N10million monthly as a wholesome trimming dealer. “On a bad day, sometimes I make a million naira a day from selling different forms of trimmings and accessories especially the luxurious ones. I always showcase online my new products and some are pre-ordered. So for a starter, it is important to learn for a few years from an established dealer who can show you the best place to source materials,” she noted.
Product Sourcing/Selling
Another seller, Rukayat Amina said that, designers and individuals can be connected by elevating their designs, enhancing their credibility, and fostering differentiation. “Through your exclusive trimmings, you unlock significant profit potential, drive luxury fashion innovation, and establish brand distinction.” says Amina.
Conclusion
Fashion trimmings offer a flexible and profitable opportunity in the industry through selling materials, custom designs, or specialized services. Success in the trimming business comes from finding a unique niche, establishing trust for quality products, and understanding market trends and customer needs.
“Building a sustainable fashion trimming business is possible by identifying your niche, building trust with customers, and staying informed about market trends. To succeed in the fashion trimming industry, focus on unique materials, custom designs, and meeting specific customer needs,” says Emiabata.
