'Design Create Sell' is the new book from The Industry's Alison Lewy. Stocking shelves in the likes of Waterstones, the 220 page guide offers pragmatic advice on how to crack the fashion industry; including case studies with Industry members, Corrie Nielsen and Julia Grinham of Upper Street. We talk to Alison about being a published author.
What prompted your decision to write a book?
I had been thinking about it for a while! I thought it would be very useful for anyone starting up a fashion business to have a practical guide they could refer to, one that would take them through the issues they need to think about and the key steps involved in setting up and running a successful business. It seemed a natural extension to the support offered through my fashion business accelerator, Fashion Angel.
To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get round to it. But when I was approached by Brightword Publishing to write the book, it spurred me into action!
How did you channel your own experiences into the writing?
Having set-up and run my own fashion brand for over 15 years, and being a consultant and mentor to many designers and fashion brands, I have been able to draw on both the positive and negative experiences of my own and my clients business journeys. There is so much I wish I had known when I started out, especially the importance of having a strategy at the beginning, identifying a clear target market and making sure the right processes are in place to control the production.
The book is designed to be a practical guide and is full of links to useful resources. However it also features three inspirational case studies ? two of which are with Industry members ? to encourage others to do it too.
The book was produced in partnership with Country Living Magazine ? how did this come about?
Country Living Magazine have a partnership with my publishers Brightword Publishing to produce a series of business books, which came about after Country Living's successful 'Kitchen Table Talent' competition which looked to readers who have a talent they could turn into a successful business.
Are you pleased with the outcome? And where can we pick up a copy?
I'm thrilled about how the book has turned out! It's easy to understand and will appeal to anyone starting up or running a fashion business. Feedback so far has been very positive, from both fashion course tutors and entrepreneurs. You can buy the books through the Fashion Angel website, Brightword Publishing, Enterprise Nation and of course, places like Amazon and Waterstones.
