How to get ahold of linesheets/new collections/merch...

[thesiren]

I am a freelance writer, and am being picked up to run a two part fashion section in a professional womens magazine.

The launch is April/May with a deadline of December 1st.

While I do have experience doing this, I do not have experience gaining access to merchandise that will be out at such a later date. Does anyone know how I go about this? Do I simply send out a letterhead to stores/designers (no one fancy; this is a working woman's magazine) requesting a media kit of the s/s merch, or what?

I am only responsible for finding the merch/putting the looks together. All photos will be obtained by the art director.

This is only domestic, and I'm not looking for anything incredibly complicated. Gap, Club Monaco, Ann Taylor, lines stocked at Macy's...that sort of thing.

Any help in which direction I should go would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[butbeautiful]

i am not in this line of industry or i do have a knowledge of any
but i always feel that PR skills is something yeah? like having good contact with various stores manager and such, making sure they understand the benefits of u having the news on a better hand and giving them advertising through your magazine.

and probably no all stores/department have their own merchandise spread or photographs or rather they might not even have direct or easy access to it. so u would probably want to go down and explain your situation and snap a few yourself with a white board at least?

well it's just my opinion anyhow. it might not even be just like that.

 

[BetteT]

Sounds like they have you doing the work of a stylist/fashion editor/market editor. Here's what you need to do:

Go on the sites of the lines you would like to feature and look for a link that says something like "press" "media" or "public relations". If you can't find that on lin, call their corporate offices and find out who deals with the press. That is who normally handles all press releases about the upcoming lines and has or can get the actual samples of the line. They should have look books or line sheet availabe for the press.

 

[thesiren]

^^^
yes, they do have me doing that work, which i have explained to my editor. the result is more $$$ and an intern, but if i don't know what i'm doing neither of those things make it any easier. rofl.

i'm clearly doing the work of an editor/stylist which is fine, but i don't have the contacts so it is going to be a work in progress getting there.

i contacted my few PR girls yesterday, and they said exactly what you've said bette. hopefully the intern will come in handy for doing this busy work.

 

[belladawn]

I think I may be able to help you, since I own a boutique and spend the day getting line sheets..photos..etc.. pm me

 

[thesiren]

i've had a ton of luck with accessories, but hardly any luck with apparel.

most brands want to see a hardcopy of the magazine before they will become involved.

any tips on where to go from here?

 

[softgrey]

send them a copy of the magazine!
or at least a link to the site...


*edit- i just read this is a launch issue...
in that case..you are going to have to rely on your skills of being able to sell them on the idea of it...

that's it really...

 

[thesiren]

yes, that is far easier said than done.

the magazine is not a fashion magazine by any means, and so i think people have trouble grasping why they should trust it, which is completely understandable.