Fundraising through Kickstarter - paper for class

Paper 1: Fundraising through Kickstarter

Fashion Entrepreneurship Class Summer 2012

Michelle Paganini

I recently learned of a novel way to fund a creative project through an online company called Kickstarter by receiving a request to consider donating to a project run by a blogger I follow, Ari Seth Cohen.  His site is advancedstyle.blogspot.com, and profiles ladies 60+ years old with marvelous style.  Intrigued, I followed the link to see the details of Ari’s request and his project.  What I found was this profile for his project, which was not fully funded at the time. 

With another click I was able to view a more detailed description of the project, a short video, and what he was offering as a “reward” to donors for varying levels of contribution:

 

I realized what Ari was doing was essentially preselling his project in return for funding – brilliant!  I funded him for $25 and look forward to receiving the video he is producing as my donation reward.

I explored the site and discovered that ideas are posted with a funding goal and a deadline by which the project must be fully funded. Ari’s goal was $35,000.  There is a caveat, if a project is not fully funded by the deadline then none of the money pledged up to that point is actually collected or distributed. It is all-or-nothing funding.  Not only did Ari meet his goal, with the help of 866 backers his project was 158% funded. 

According the Kickstarter website “At this very second, thousands of people are checking out projects on Kickstarter. They're rallying around their friends' ideas, backing projects from people they've long admired, and discovering things that make them laugh and smile. Every project is independently crafted, put to all-or-nothing funding, and supported by friends, fans, and the public in return for rewards. Source: http://www.kickstarter.com/ 7/5/12

The basic steps for launching a Kickstarter project are to:

·      Have a finite (deliverable) well defined project you are ready to act on

·      Brainstorm what to offer as rewards, such as product, limited editions, or a custom experience related to the project. The intention is not that everything is ready to ship on receipt of funding - rather you use the funding to generate the rewards (I call it preselling.)  When will you promise to deliver it by? What will you actually be able deliver within a reasonable timeframe? Your reputation will be established with this first offering

·      Determine the funding goal and deadline

·      Make your own video

·      Build your own project page

·      Determine how you will rally friends, family, potential customers and strangers to your site to fully fund your project by the deadline. Then get in action!

There is a detailed tutorial on how to start a project: http://www.kickstarter.com/help/school/defining_your_project

I want to launch a business making and selling one-of-a-kind bags crafted from recycled jeans.  I don’t need a lot in terms of funding and I see Kickstarter as a fabulous way to let people know what I am up to, test the market, and presell product.

In summary, 24,000 creative projects have been successfully funded through Kickstarter, with backing provided by 2 million donors, and $250,000,000 pledged to projects since the company started in April 2009. TIME magazine picked Kickstarter twice: Best Inventions of 2010, Best Websites of 2011. What an awesome idea!

sharing some homework

I've been doing homework for my Fashion Entrepreneurship class at Canada college.   Here is one of the papers I just drafted:

Paper 2: Article Review: 20 Predictions for the Next 25 Years
The Observer, Saturday 1 January 2011

Fashion Entrepreneurship Class Summer 2012

Michelle Paganini

Early last year The Observer put together a team of experts with 20 predictions of how the world will change in the next 25 years, including some predictions about fashion.  

As I read this article I was struck by one prediction of major import that seems to have come true in the last several days – scientists seem to think they have located the Higgs bosun.

The Higgs bosun, is described in a July 4^th, 2012, New York Times article, Physicists Find Elusive Particle Seen as Key to Universe: “According to the Standard Model, the Higgs boson is the only manifestation of an invisible force field, a cosmic molasses that permeates space and imbues elementary particles with mass. Particles wading through the field gain heft the way a bill going through Congress attracts riders and amendments, becoming ever more ponderous.”

Hmmm… could the fashion predictions be on the mark too?  Fast forward to section 12, authored by Ms. Dilys Williams, designer and the director for sustainable fashion at the London College of Fashion.


Ms. Williams contends that we will reach beyond the traditional role of clothing - communicating our identity to each other - instead the coming decades will have “…much more emphasis on other manifestations of fashion and different ways of communicating with each other, different ways of creating a sense of belonging and of making us feel great about ourselves.”  Not certain what that meant I plowed on.


She mentions that much social interaction is shaped outside of face-to-face meetings and done online instead, for instance through avatars. She goes on to say that for actual clothing she sees a potential divide between “things that are very practical and those that are very much about display” and that perhaps those display items might be rented or borrowed rather than owned. 


I am aware of a company, bagborroworsteal, which rents out very expensive designer handbags and jewelry by the week.  This is an interesting concept because it takes clothing back to a time when articles of clothing were highly valued rather than considered disposable (as many are today).  Considering that we love and demand variety in fashion, the concept of sharing higher quality goods between multiple people is far more sustainable than individually worn cheap disposables.


Ms. Williams sees the possibility of technology / consumer demand / legislation intersecting with the result of requiring clothing tags which define the history of how the garment was sourced, made, and the water and carbon footprints.  This reminds me of the legislated requirements for including useful information about calories and nutritional requirements on food labeling, which has changed the way I buy food. 


There are certainly more resources today for diligent persons to buy “green and ethical” clothing than there have been in the past, but these buyers must make a concentrated effort to do so. 
There isn’t any mention of “reconstructed” or “up-cycled” clothing, which is where I think there is an opportunity now to bridge the current gap in that up-cycled clothing is immediately recognizable as greener than new clothing.  This is a niche where my product idea fits in, bags made from recycled jeans.


Ms. Williams seems to hint at designers’ desires to move away from disposable fashion and “work back into their designs an element of emotional content”.


I hope this also indicates a desire to move the public towards well-made long-lasting clothing.  It seems to me now is an ideal time to move in that direction as what is or is not “fashionable” is not as rigidly dictated (or accepted) as it had been for hundreds of years.  I watched the movie Independence Day, made in 1996, on this July 4^th and was surprised at how many of the clothes did not look dated.


Ms. Williams wraps with “I think there's definitely a place for technology in creating a dialogue with you through your clothes.” I was a bit surprised and disappointed that there was no mention of concepts I’ve been exposed to over the last several years:

·      Up-cycled clothing.

·      Zero-waste pattern design

·      Cleaner technology (soy based dyes)

·      Advances in textile manufacturing (as our guest speaker mentioned last session)

·      Print on demand fabrics

·      The drive to recycle rather than place garments in the landfills

This means there is still opportunity to make a difference by simply spreading the word. It was already on my agenda to do so: http://www.michellepaganini.blogspot.com.

Madame Gres Paris exhibit pictures

Madame Gres is a fashion designer famous for beautiful draping.  The Center for Fashion Design has a very nice slide show of a recent Paris exhibit. 

http://www.centerforpatterndesign.com/pages/gallery

5 cool recycled materials fashion accessories

courtesy of:
http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/04/08/10-most-incredible-recycled-fashion-accessories/

http://www.escamastudio.com  pop top bag


http://www.ecoist.com/  wrapper bag


http://www.ecotopia.co.uk  business card holders

http://tinglondon.com pillows from seatbelts
 


http://www.refinding.com  bracelets from sneakers
 

baseball gloves recycled into wallets

Coach makes heritage baseball wallets from recycled baseball gloves - great idea!


Coach spent a year finding vintage baseball gloves on eBay, and they have made 200 one-of-a-kind wallets for the collection. Priced at $348, they seem to have sold out as I could not find one on their site.

One of our guest speakers in Entrepreneurship class suggested that rather than develop a fashion product from new materials - cater to men with a product made from recycled materials.  Looks like Coach figured that out already.

t-shirt yarn

Her is a link for a tutorial on
how to make yarn from a t-shirt
and a bag from the yarn

Killer socks

I was doing some research for my Entrepreneur class and ran across this company http://www.corrymoor.com/the-socks/bedsocks.html in England that raises their own angora goats and makes socks from the wool.  I'm swooning.  The link I provided is for angora bed socks - George would never have to flinch from my cold toes again.

Class report and TGBM tally

Turns out the Fashion Entrepreneurship class is absolutely the right class for me to be in.  What great timing!  I can tell that I will be learning so many relevant and useful things.  One thing I learned today was how to size up the competition, collect data about them and analyze it.  We will also be writing a business plan which is great as I've started one but am stuck on a few spots.  Off to do homework, class again tomorrow.


TGBM Tally
Thrifted: Black turtleneck (2012)
Gifted:Nada
Bought retail: Shoes (2010)
Made: Brown skirt with hand pin-tucked deep pockets (2010), Brown drop earrings (2010)

FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Starting tomorrow at Canada College!

FASH 166 FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester

Description: An overview of the fashion entrepreneurial opportunities in the apparel and sewn products industry. Establishing goals, record keeping, business promotion, and the advantages and disadvantages of self-employment are discussed. Individuals considering a small business relating to fashion, fabric, color, pattern work, and sewing profit from this course. Transfer: CSU.

Kickstarter website

I just visited an amazing site, kickstarter.com, where people can raise funds for their artistic projects/businesses. 

I know of it because Ari Seth Cohen, the author of the Advanced Style blog, is raising funds for a documentary he plans to do about the stylish elderly.

Down and out and then out and about

Hello,

I've been out of commission with a shoulder problem so not sewing as I thought I would.

Today we went up to San Francisco to meet friends for dinner, and arrived early to do some investigation into potential bag outlets. George and I looked around Noe Valley and Hayes Valley.  I found two potential opportunities!

1) We ran into Jill Pilot of Ricochet Wearable Art and it turn out she rents space in her store @ 1610 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402 at very reasonable prices.  Jill is truly talented and I had the pleasure of seeing a trunk show of her one-of-a-kind reworked clothing items at PenWAG.  I've also run into her at several shows and I am always impressed with what she manages to create newly out of existing garments. She has a great sense of style.  B.T.W. Jill will be at the Canada College show in September (see the "Bay Area: Save the Date" side bar)

2)  We stopped in at R.A.G.s Residential Apparel Gallery a store owned by Blakely Bass located at 541 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA 94102.  Blakely's gallery features all local California artists.  She mentioned some of their better selling items are wallets and similarly sized bags (large bags not so much.)  This reminded of an idea I had about making evening bags adorned with vintage pins.  Hmmm, I have a stash of materials already so this is a no brainer to try out.

In addition I've been working on a business plan and I'm finding out what I don't know/haven't decided yet.  I can see where I need to focus.

This Friday I start my Fashion Entrepreneurship class at Canada - timely!  Now I just need to get this shoulder problem cleared up so I can sew comfortably.

P.S. Jo Paganini - thank you for all the wonderful jeans and garments, I got them from Jordan this weekend.

TGBM Tally for Dinner Out:
Thrifted:  Black jaquard jacket (2012)
Gifted: Necklace (George bought from the artist @ the craftswomen's festival in SF 2011)
Bought Retail: Shoes (2010), Jeans (2011), Earrings (2010)
Made: Nada

headed into the sewing room

I've set up my new portable industrial machine!  I'm about to go experiment with my huge pile of jeans.

Hat Outing TGBM Tally

We went to the Stanford University Biodesign Innovation Program graduation this afternoon.  The event was inspiring given what the program graduates are up to - solving unmet needs in the medical device sector.

The event was outdoors on on the of greens at Stanford (beautiful!).  I took the opportunity to wear a hat that I created in one of Wayne Wichern's classes.  Here I am on the way home.

Bonus: George finished my stand with the fork hooks.

TGBM Tally:
Thrifted: blouse (2010)
Gifted: earrings (2011)
Bought Retail: Linen Ralph Lauren cream pants (2006?), Gold "Car" sandals (2010)
Bought from Artist: Pearl Necklace (2008?)
Made: Hat (2012)

This weekend

This weekend was amazing - and not sewing related.  We had a big party for George's retirement and it was a great success. He had friends from out of town so there were activities much of the weekend.  Also I canned cherries, 10 pints, 12 half pints, and 9 four oz bandy & cherries.  We went out to dinner for our wedding anniversary.  Life is GOOD.

Special thanks to Christina for the outstanding party decorations (the theme was the movie "Up") and all the kids for general help and Brian and Rebecca for massive cleanup. 

TGBM for the Party:
Thrifted: Blue embroidered caftan (2012)
Gifted: Silver and pearl necklace and earrings (2011)
Bought Retail: Sandals (2011)
Made: Nada

New Equipment

Today we picked up my sewing machine.  Turns out I really can't sew denim on it all day without overloading the engine - darn!

Lucky me, George and I took a look at the small portable industrial machine that Gordan sells (Viking store in Willow Glen San Jose on Lincoln Ave.) and George sprung for it! So, I will now be able to sew through really heavy duty stuff with no problem.

 

Classes and George

George:
George is officially retired as of today.  There was a big celebration with cake this afternoon at work and now he is home an all ours. I'm proud of you honey!

On the bag business front:
I registered for two small business classes being given this week.  One is about taxes for small businesses and the other is on writing a business plan.  I also did a little sewing.

TGBM Tally:
Thrifted: Red skirt and cream sweater (2012)
Gifted: Nada
Bought retail: Red patent leather Cole Haan loafers (2009?)
Bought from an Artist: Pearl earrings (2010)
Made: Nada

Here is the stand I described yesterday:

"The small display made from the dowel and the drum hoop is close to done!
I went to Southern Lumber and had round base and top pieces cut to order. George found a way to mount the drum hoop on the dowel. He mounted the curved forks which look amazing.  I went this morning to the hardware store and bought paint in a nice pecan color which is complementary to the blue of the bags (thank you Principles of Design training). The pieces are all painted.  George has brilliantly strategized a method for the whole thing to be disassembled for storage (brilliant!)"

All that is left to do now is make bags, bags, bags!

Don't you love the fork hooks? available on Etsy

A lady I met at Goodwill said the drum hoop is from an Irish drum, I can't remember the name of the type of drum.  

building and painting display stands

Big doings in the Paganini garage yesterday and today.

The small display made from the dowel and the drum hoop is close to done!
I went to Southern Lumber and had round base and top pieces cut to order. George found a way to mount the drum hoop on the dowel. He mounted the curved forks which look amazing.  I went this morning to the hardware store and bought paint in a nice pecan color which is complementary to the blue of the bags (thank you Principles of Design training). The pieces are almost all painted.  George has brilliantly strategized a method for the whole thing to be disassembled for storage (brilliant!)

The door display has the most critical part completed - George made a mount to hold it upright. He cleverly curved the edges to match the frame on the mirror. Next - sand, fill holes, paint, cover up the doorknob hole.

belts?

Hmmm,  I had a thought today about using belts for straps on my jean bags.  I bought a canvas one to try.  More later.

Display stand? & TGBM Tally & Tux

Yesterday I took another trip to S.C.R.A.P.

(Scrounger’s Center for Reusable Art Parts - see 3/10/2012 post for details or http://www.scrap-sf.org/) 

  up in San Francisco to drop off some donations and look around.

That place is fascinating!  I found a couple parts that I think I can put together as a basis for a small display stand for bags.  One is a 4.5' tall thick wooden dowel and the other is a large wooden drum hoop minus the drum leather.  This ought to be entertaining.  I still need a heavy base to mount it on so I'm off to Goodwill to see if I can locate an old round wooden cutting board or something similar.  I also purchased a burlap (coffee) bag to wrap the dowel with.

I think scrounger must be my secret middle name. 

TGBM Tally:
Thrifted: blouse (2012)
Gifted: Nada
Bought Retail: Loafers (2011), Earrings (2010)
Made: Lined skirt (2011)

AND...

I picked up a 100, yes 100 year old tux jacket with long tails from a friend so I can reline it in zebra print silk for her.  What a treat to have a chance to work with a garment like this.  It looks to have been custom made and has a label inside one of the pockets with the owners name and date (1912).