✅ Step 7: Pricing Structure with the Fashion Launch Mentor

This step helps you:

• Define your ideal price point for retail and (optional) wholesale
• Calculate backwards to determine your target cost
• Understand how to protect your margins from the start

If you’re just joining this series, I’m building a tween swimwear brand from scratch using the Fashion Launch Mentor AI. Each episode follows a step of the 12-step Fashion Launch Blueprint.

💬 Key Questions Answered in This Episode:

1. What’s the ideal price point for a two-piece tween swimsuit set?
   I landed on a sweet spot of $78–$89. This keeps the brand feeling premium but attainable, especially for parents who value quality.
2. Should I go wholesale or stay direct-to-consumer?
   For now, I’m staying DTC to protect my margins and keep brand control. But I’m building my pricing to support wholesale later.
3. What’s my target production cost?
   If I want to retail at $89, I’m aiming for $18–$25 total cost per unit (including fabric, trims, labor, and packaging). This gives me a healthy cushion.

🛠️ Pricing Breakdown:

Let’s say:

• Production Cost: $22 per set
• Wholesale Price: $66 (Cost x 3)
• Retail Price: $89 (Wholesale x 1.35)

That would give you:

• Retail Margin: $67 (or ~75%)
• Wholesale Margin: $44

And if your cost is $25 per unit, you’re still profitable as long as you stay DTC. Once you're ready to scale and explore wholesale, you’ll already be structured for it.

🎯 Features of a Strong Pricing Strategy:

• Retail Price: $78–$89 (premium, not fast fashion)
• Wholesale: Optional for future scaling
• Early Bird Discounts: Yes! Pre-launch offers and bundles
• Packaging Experience: Custom mailers, hang tags, and tissue for influencer-style unboxing
• Positioning: Attainable luxury with exclusive appeal

📦 Pricing Hook for Marketing:

"Premium swimwear at a price moms trust and girls love."

🔗 Resources:

• Get the Fashion Launch Blueprint
• Watch the Video Series on YouTube