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I've been asked to compile a look-book for my brother and his friend's clothing company to present to David Jones. I've have never been in contact with a look-book of this calibre so I'm really scared! The only look-books I've seen are suppliers' for young accessories. So basically a catalogue. Not really on the same level. I'm positive David Jones is looking for much more!

Does anyone have any tips on how to 'knock them dead'? Obviously this a make-or-break thing so pressure's on!

Don't use a friend as a model - even if they are gorgeous. Have a really exciting theme one of my favourite look books was done by Claude Maus where the entire collection was mocked up like a 'Little Golden Book', if you have a great concept you can get away with not so slick photography. Don't go so arty you can't see the clothes - ultimately this is what they're looking at. If you have a choice between photographing a black item or a colour, always go the colour. It's really hard to see the details on a black item. Make sure all the contact details and terms are included easy to find and read. I worked with some hot young designers and their business cards were satin black text on matt black, sexy but impossible to read! If models, studios/ locations are all a bit hard or too time consuming work from sample sketches that show the shape of the clothes and pictures of swatchs to show colour options. Be sure to mark anything that's made from a vintage fabric or trims that are hard to source as 'limited edition'. Stores hate it when they want 100 and you can only give them 20 make sure they know before hand. GOOD LUCK

Thanks so much Jen! I was thinking of a theme/concept for our look book and haven't come up with anything yet. : (

Are look books usually paper and print or '3-D' (with fabric swatches)? Or totally up to me?

Sorry I'm a bit new to this forum business.
Look Books, strictly paper. If you make fabric notes eg. jersey/lycra mix with vegetable ink print. Then the buyer will know what your on about. You don't really need to go that far, make sure you have pannels for colour options to show everything available. If they like it they'll want to see it in person and check out the quality. If fabric is a big part of what makes it great then say so - exclusively imported Italian silk woven by nuns in the mountains!!? whatever just make sure they know what's great about your work.

Thanks so much Jen! You've been so helpful!

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Kuler

How did it all go Carol? I'd be keen to see how it turned out.

ye same.. did u finish it?