There are many different aspects to the fashion industry. Each comes with their own set of gains and challenges. But all can be profitable businesses, if we know how to run them.
“Fashion is a commercial art,” says Musa Widyatmodjo, senior fashion designer and adviser to the Indonesia Fashion Designers Association (APPMI).
“The highlight [of the fashion industry] is on the commercial [side],” says the designer who runs his own fashion company, Musa Atelier.
“Whether we’re talking about Armani, Dior or LV, it’s all the same. Behind their glamorous facade, it’s all about the money.”
One of the little-known, yet very lucrative businesses in the fashion industry, is the uniform business.
“The uniform business is the only one [in the fashion industry] that totally depends on local people and materials,” Musa says.
“Throughout the year, there will be new staff in companies that need new uniforms. And the new uniforms should be made available very soon for them. It would be very difficult if [the companies] order [the uniforms] from abroad.”
The uniform business is also highly profitable.
“Designers are not selling clothes per se in the uniform business,” Musa says.
“What we sell is actually the design concept and philosophy. And that’s quite expensive.”
According to Musa, one uniform design may have a similar “fantastic price” to a top designer’s made-to-order bridal gown.
