5 things I wish I knew before I started Studio Demoyo

When I started Studio Demoyo, I had ideas, training and a real love for fashion. But there were parts of running a creative business that I still had to figure out. Looking back, these are five things I would tell myself.

1. Learn the numbers early.

I wish I had given the business side as much attention as the design side from the beginning. It’s easy to spend hours getting a garment right. You also need to know what it costs to make, what you need to charge and what is left after everyone has been paid.

2. Include yourself in the price.

As creatives, we can be very generous with our time. An extra fitting, another adjustment, a few more hours finding the right fabric—it all adds up. My price needs to account for my contribution, including the work a client never sees.

3. Pay attention to what people actually buy.

A compliment and an order are two different things. I can love a design and still need to ask: Where will my customer wear this? Does the fit work for them? Can they afford it? Listening to customers helps me make better decisions about what to produce.

4. Be clear about how you work.

Deposits, deadlines, fittings and changes need to be discussed at the beginning. Those conversations can feel uncomfortable when you’re eager to get started, but they make the relationship easier. I wish I had understood earlier how much clarity protects both my time and the client’s expectations.

5. Give the business time to develop.

I would tell my younger self to stop putting so much pressure on every collection. Some pieces will sell better than others. Some ideas need more work. I’m allowed to learn, make adjustments and take my time building something I believe in.

There is so much I still love about fashion: the fabric, the making, the moment a piece comes together. I want the business behind Studio Demoyo to be strong enough for me to keep doing that work for years to come.

Remember Who You Are

Pai