Cape Town-based online clothing design marketplace Artists.Clothing has come out of beta, and is aiming to connect designers and retail outlets by allowing designers to upload their unique apparel designs and sell them directly.
The founders of Artists.Clothing believe they have spotted a gap in the industry, with the growing number of ‘buy on demand’ and ‘manufacture on demand’ services not linked to automated mini factories online with a ‘design on demand’ element.
The startup is aimed at eliminating major in-house costs for small and medium sized retailers, aiding the fast tracking of ideas to market. It provides a quick and quality solution for retailers and resellers, while also providing designers with the network and tools to sell their designs on a royalty or a ‘buy out’ basis, empowering them as entrepreneurs as opposed to commissioning them as freelancers.
“It is obvious that technology has the potential to break the current, broken apparel production model: overproduction, outsourced cheap labor, waste and pollution, the list goes on – and Artists.Clothing has recognised this and built a simple tool to aid in the development of the industry as it moves forward into 2015,” said co-founder Paul Muller.
Until now, designers and resellers have been able visit the site and submit their details, but now the platform is out of beta and open to public registration for artists.
“We’d love to have your artwork up, and we’d love to help connect you to buyers so you can make some money!” the company said.
Interested designers can download a design starter pack here to help them on their way.
