Fashion Design Drawing

If the advertising department likes the look of the work the artist is passed on to one of the buyers, who may commission some work then and there, or more likely give a promise of something in future. That is where the business card is required.

In addition to the big stores and other direct buyers of fashion work, printers and publishers of a certain order are important clients for the free-lance to cultivate. These are the sort of firms who undertake the production of manufacturing, wholesale, and retail drapers' catalogues, showcards, and other illustrated matter. Some printers employ full-time artists, others rely entirely on outside work. As a class they are kindly and well-disposed to the free-lance, appreciate new ideas, and will always consider bright designs for catalogue covers and so on. A list of such firms is given in Appendix III, and the advertisement columns of the daily and technical press should be watched for their notices of work offered. It must be remembered that they work considerably ahead of the season, and drawings shown should be chosen accordingly.

Lastly, there are the newspaper and fashion journals and art agents. Only a really established artist can look for much in the way of commissions from the press, since they either employ a staff artist, or else feature one of the cracks' work. However, if one's work is really interesting it will always be considered. Agents, on the other hand, are generally willing to take anything saleable; but as it may not be disposed of for a long time, the free-lance should avoid leaving too many drawings with agents. After a few weeks they should be called for, and if soiled, cleaned up, and taken elsewhere.