How do you sell your latex clothing?
It's time! You have decided to tackle it professionally. You have now made a latex clothing line / collection, or a few nice single latex pieces. And you want to sell that! But how do you do that?
We have a number of tips.
Finish
The finish must be top! So no glue residues, edges, or crooked seams. A consumer is critical. And that is also allowed because homemade and special latex clothing is usually not cheap.
Take beautiful photos.
Latex clothing that hangs on a hanger, or that is on a table, usually doesn't look very attractive to buy for customers. Latex always shows the best when it contains 'something'. Then it can be a mannequin, or you yourself are a model of your own latex clothing, or you show the clothing by a model.
The more professional that looks, the better the sale of course.
Mannequin
Make sure the mannequin looks good. Clean, no scratches or stains. Hang a green or blue cloth behind the mannequin (also on the floor) and then take the photo. You can then remove the background super easily with software. And possibly add another background via the PC. If you find that too much work, make sure you have a neutral background and possibly blur it. After all, it's about the latex clothing and not the background.
You are your own model
There are also latex clothing designers / designers who are models of their own clothing. Super handy! But make sure everything is correct. So modest background, or very special so that it matches the latex outfit. Hairdresser, makeup, accessories, nails, matching shoes ... everything must be right. So don't take a quick photo at home in the kitchen with the trash can and the food bowls of the cats in the background ...
Collaborate with a model
Do you find yourself unsuitable for displaying latex clothing? No problem, you will work with a model. First consider what type of man / woman would be suitable for your clothing. What are you looking for type, appearance, sizes, etc.? You can approach models yourself via Facebook (there are also various groups where models are available), Instagram, etc. You can then take the photos yourself or you can collaborate with a photographer.
Collaborate with a photographer
If you cannot or do not want to take photos yourself, you can collaborate with a photographer. Often latex models know themselves a photographer with whom they work. The other way around is also the case, photographers who often collaborate with certain models. That is handy because they know each other and know what it is like to show and photograph latex.
Taking a nice photo of latex clothing is an art in itself. That is why it is wise to work with a photographer who has already taken photos of latex clothing (you can request a portfolio or Googling for a moment of course). A photographer sometimes has its own style. So it has to fit with your idea, that works the quickest and easiest.
Cooperation
Ok ... you have the latex clothes, a latex model, and a photographer. So you would think about getting started! Not yet!
Make sure you make agreements in advance with the people you will be working with. Agree on a number of things so that you will not be left empty handed, such as no photos and broken latex clothing, or clothing that does not return etc.
Possible agreements:
● Atmosphere of the photos
● Nude or no nude
● Number of photos per outfit
● Size / resolution edited photos (not in stamp format, it is no use to you).
● Use of the photos (you want them on your website, social media, flyers etc.)
● How does the model get the clothes? Are you sending it? Are they coming for it?
● When will the clothing return?
● Can the model keep the clothing? (free? discount?)
● What do you do if the model returns the clothing broken?
● What do you do when you walk to a party, and there you suddenly see your model in your clothes?
● Deviating agreements
TFP
You have also come across the term TFP. There are several words for this abbreviation but it comes down to the same:
● Time for print
● Time for portfolio
A model makes itself available and the photographer makes himself available, with the aim of achieving an end result that is complementary to both parties' own portfolio. So no invoices are involved. Not every photographer wants to do TFP assignments. It really has to be something special and special where the photographer sees it as an addition to the portfolio. For the photographer it is nice if you have already arranged everything. Clothing, location, model etc. That saves the photographer a lot of time. But of course every photographer works differently. Sometimes they have their own models that they like to work with, or they have special locations for the shoot. So discuss everything in advance with a photographer and feel free to ask questions. Because the photographer also benefits from a great collaboration and of course beautiful latex photos!
Credits
Of course you don't take the pictures for nothing! You want exposure, sell latex clothing and increase your brand / brand awareness. It is therefore essential that everyone abides by copyright.
Who is entitled to what? It is fairly simple based on Article 1 of the Auterswet:
"Copyright is the exclusive right of the author of a work of literature, science or art, or of his successors in title, to make it public and to reproduce it, subject to the limitations set by law."
● The model has portrait rights.
● The maker of the latex clothing has copyright on the design of the clothing.
● The maker of the latex used is copyrighted in the design of the latex.
● The creator of the photo has copyright to the design of the photo.
In concrete terms, this means that you and / or the model, for example, may not just use the photograph of the photographer, without mentioning the name of the photographer. Because the photographer is the maker / artist of the photo. Etc.
It is therefore important that you (and everyone) always mention the rights / credits of the artists, makers, models, photographers, makeup artist, stylist, hairdresser, etc. Everything and everyone that creates the photo (= end result) has come. Also so-called 'behind the scenes' photos that you made yourself, for example. As soon as you start using and distributing the photos (commercially) (online or offline), you need to mention credits.
Also clearly agree this with the photographer. Can you use his photos on your website to sell the clothing? Can you make flyers with the photos made by him or her? Etc.
In short, make good agreements to prevent disappointments.
And now?
Pfff, a lot of information? Yes that's right! But then you know in advance where you stand. You can of course jump into the deep end yourself, but you can also contact other latex designs / makers that have already preceded you. Ask them for tips, entries, contacts, etc. That is not strange or strange, because they, too, have started, of course ....
Good luck!
