Instagram For Fashion Designers Part 1: How To Make Your Profile Stand Out
In today’s world, if your fashion brand isn’t on Instagram, does it even exist? Instagram has become the digital runway where trends are born, collections go viral, and style enthusiasts scroll for hours. Instagram for fashion designers is no longer optional – it’s essential.
We all want to be the one posting pretty pictures. But, there is so much more to Instagram for fashion designers! It’s about creating an intentional presence, building trust with your audience, and designing a feed that tells your brand’s story at a glance. Think of it like this – when someone lands on your Instagram page, it’s like they’re walking by your storefront. You’ve got seconds (literally) to grab their attention and invite them in.
So let’s break it down, step by step, on how, as a fashion designer, you should handle the ever-changing world of Instagram.
Key Takeaways Ahead:
- Setting Up Your Instagram Profile (Username, Name Field, Bio)
- Understanding Instagram SEO
- Using the Correct Keywords
- Your Next Steps
Setting Up Your Instagram Profile
Before you post your first lookbook preview or behind-the-scenes clip, you must set up your Instagram profile correctly. Why? Because this is your first impression. And if you’re using Instagram for fashion designers the way it’s meant to be used – for visibility, connection, and conversion – you’ve got to treat your profile like prime retail real estate.
1. Your Username
Your username is your brand’s online address. It should be short, searchable, and easy to remember. For example, for my brand, Tiny Threads Clothing, I chose the handle @tinythreadsclothing – all one word, no special characters, no fuss.
If your brand’s username is already taken, that isn’t a problem. Play around with combinations like @tinythreadsofficial, @shoptinythreads, or even @tinythreads.co. Ensure it feels cohesive with your brand and doesn’t get too complicated. People should be able to type it in without guessing.
One of my best tips for using Instagram for fashion designers is choosing a handle that reflects your brand identity.
2. Your Name Field
Your name field (the bold line under your profile picture) is key for brand recognition and discoverability. Instagram has become one of the largest search engines, ranking alongside Google and YouTube. People aren’t just scrolling – they’re actively searching for products and services.
To get found on Instagram, optimize your name field with relevant keywords.
Instead of just using your brand name, consider adding descriptors like:
→ Tiny Threads Clothing | Organic Clothing for the Natural Child
The more you use high-ranking terms (e.g., handmade clothing, boho fashion), the more Instagram will recognize your brand. This boosts your profile’s visibility and helps it rank higher in search results, just like Google. Plus, since the name field is searchable, it’s a prime spot to show up in the right recommendations.
3. Your Bio
Your bio is your brand’s elevator pitch. You have four lines, and you need to make them count!
Line 1: Who You Are & What You Do
State your brand clearly. This is your chance to show what makes you stand out!
→ Example from my brand: “Clothing for your tiny one”
Line 2: Who You Serve
Speak directly to your audience. Make sure they feel included.
→ Example from my brand: “Inspired by nature to wear exploring”
Line 3: Why They Should Follow You
Give them a reason to stick around – exclusive offers, behind-the-scenes content, or style tips.
→ Example from my brand: “Cozy, natural fibers, timeless styles”
Line 4: Call to Action & Link
End with a CTA and a link. It may be a link to shop, join your email list, or access special deals, making it easy for them to take the next step. You may pop up on their Instagram now, but disappear tomorrow. This call to action ensures they can find you easily!
→ Example from my brand: “Colors from Earth’s palette – Explore Below”
→ Need a full breakdown of email marketing for clothing brand owners? Check out this post.
Understanding Instagram SEO
If you don’t know what people are searching for, it will be tough for them to find your brand, especially on a platform like Instagram. SEO (search engine optimization) isn’t just for Google anymore. Instagram’s algorithm constantly scans your profile, captions, and hashtags to figure out who your content is for so it can be shown to the right people.
That’s why keyword research matters.
The more you use specific, relevant keywords that your audience is searching for, the better your chance of showing up in search results. And there are plenty of free tools out there to help (including ChatGPT!), sometimes investing in a tool like Semrush or others might be worth it, especially if you’re feeling stuck. Many of them offer free trials to test before you commit.
Focusing on a combination of product specific keywords and broader fashion trends will help in reaching a wider yet targeted audience when it comes to Instagram for fashion designers.
Using the Correct Keywords
If you want your fashion brand to be discovered on Instagram, keywords need to be part of your strategy. Instagram isn’t just a photo-sharing app anymore, as I mentioned above; it’s acting more like a search engine. So, if you’re not using the words your ideal customers are typing into the search bar, it will be tough for them to find you.
Start by thinking about where to place your keywords. You want them naturally woven into your:
- Instagram name field
- Bio
- Post captions
- Reels and Stories (words you say with your voice or text on screen)
- Alt text for images
Once you know where to put them, the next step is figuring out what to say. This starts with understanding your ideal customer. You can create an ideal customer profile by gathering info from your website, product descriptions, and past posts – or even using ChatGPT to help organize and clarify everything. The more detail you include, the better keyword suggestions you’ll get.
→ For a full deep-dive on creating your ideal customer profile, check out this post.
Using a combination of product-specific keywords and trend-based keywords will help you reach both niche and broader audiences.
For example:
- Instead of “holiday dress,” try “Little girls’ boutique Christmas Eve dress”
- Instead of “summer outfit,” try “Gingham toddler dress for beach days”
- Instead of “new arrivals,” try “Boho maxi dress with flutter sleeves – spring launch”
Just keep it natural. Keyword stuffing can hurt your visibility. So make your captions sound like something you’d actually say, while still working in the words people might search.
→ Not feeling super confident with your brand messaging? Read the full deep-dive on my proven “7-Step Fashion Brand Messaging Framework” here.
Your Next Steps
At the end of the day, Instagram isn’t just a pretty feed – it’s a powerful search engine and sales tool. The more intentional you are with your content, captions, and strategy, the easier it becomes for your dream customers to find you in the extensive world of Instagram for fashion designers.
Trying to piece all of this together alone can be overwhelming. If you’re tired of throwing content into the void and hoping it sticks, it’s time for a smarter approach.
Inside my mentorship for new and aspiring fashion designers, Fruition, I walk you through each and every step of creating a clothing brand from scratch. It’s everything you need to launch and grow your first fashion line, including all things digital marketing!
You’ve put your heart into your brand – now let’s make sure people see it!Ready to grow with intention? Click here to get started with Fruition.
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