When starting a fashion brand, one big question is:
Should I design everything myself, or hire someone to help?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on your skill, budget, and goals.
At HEM APPAREL, we’ve seen both solo founders and full design teams succeed.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of each path.
✍️ Option 1: Designing It Yourself
Pros:
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Full creative control
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Lower cost upfront
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Faster decision-making
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Feels authentic if you have a strong vision
Cons:
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Time-consuming
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May lack technical accuracy (pattern, spec, fabric knowledge)
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Harder to scale once you grow
✅ Best for: founders with design background or strong visual taste
🎨 Option 2: Working With a Designer
Pros:
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Brings professional experience (fit, function, production)
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Speeds up sampling with clean tech packs
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Can help expand ideas beyond your perspective
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Easier to brief factories, especially for custom garments
Cons:
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Higher upfront investment
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Requires clear communication to avoid misalignment
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May lose some personal "feel" if overdelegated
✅ Best for: founders with budget, tight timeline, or limited design skill
🤝 Hybrid Approach (Our Recommendation)
Many successful brands:
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Start DIY to save budget and test ideas
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Bring in a designer later for refinement and scaling
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Use freelance designers or design interns for specific projects
✅ Use your budget where it brings the most clarity — e.g., sampling, tech packs, or lookbook design
🧠 HEM APPAREL’s Tip:
You don’t have to do it all.
But you do need a clear vision — so whether it’s your own work or a designer’s, the result still feels like your brand.
We’ve helped clients turn napkin sketches into full tech packs — or worked with professional designers to streamline production.
