You’ve spent years hunched over sketchbooks and sewing machines, draping on your mannequin, and perfecting your craft ... yet your work still goes unseen. You know your designs deserve the spotlight but editors ghost you, buyers hesitate and social media likes don’t translate into real sales.  You want more than just “likes”.  You want a launch that commands attention and positions you as a respected designer that premium buyers aspire to wear.

All designers share the same dream: flipping through the pages of Vogue or Elle, scrolling Vogue Runway, or opening Instagram Stories and spotting a full page feature on their collection.

And the first question that always comes up is:

“How do I get my fashion brand featured in Vogue?”

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most designers never will.  Not because their designs aren’t incredible, but because editors aren’t looking for another dress.  They’re looking for a story, a moment, a reason to give your brand space in one of the world’s most ...

The sign you’re ready?

You notice what’s missing in the industry and know how your collection could stand out...  even if no one else sees it yet.

Most designers think they need a massive team, glossy showroom and a perfect collection to get noticed. After all, that's what you see in the press.

But being ready isn’t about what you think you should have.  It’s about how you position what you already have.

Think of each sample you’ve sewn as a single note in a song.  Alone, it’s nice enough but it doesn’t move anyone.   However if you arrange the notes and craft the melody then suddenly you have a performance that people are raving about for months after.

Your launch is that performance .  You have the samples and now it’s just about orchestrating them to make an impact.

A designer I worked with in Fashion Launch Catalyst was stuck sewing in her studio for months, thinking she needed to be ‘ready’ before presenting to buyers or press.  

Within weeks of repositioning w...

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Launching Your Fashion Brand (And How to Fix Them… So You Can Launch with Confidence)

If you're gearing up to launch your next collection or debut your brand you're probably obsessing over every detail:
“Are the buttons the right shade?”
“Should the thread be a tone darker… lighter?”
“Do the straps look better 2 mm wider… narrower?” 

But here’s what no one talks about.
It’s not just about the clothes.

A strong collection matters, but it’s your launch that gets it seen.

Because quietly existing won’t cover your fabric costs or pay your manufacturer.  A strategically planned  launch puts you in front of buyers, press and paying customers.

Without a clear plan, even your best work can go unnoticed.
The good news?  Launching successfully is a skill you can learn.
And once you know what to look for, you can plan with more strategy, without losing the soul of your creativity. 

Over the past three decades supporting designers at every stage, I’ve s...

Investing in samples or prototypes can be a huge financial commitment for a small fashion company, sometimes reaching upwards of $5,000. 

Before diving in, it’s crucial to validate your designs and ensure they resonate with your target audience. 

Here are 6 effective strategies to test and validate your designs without breaking the bank.

1.Social Media Feed: Share images of your designs on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to showcase your products in various contexts.   

2.   Instagram Stories:  Use polls and questions in your stories to gather direct feedback, gauge interest and build anticipation among your audience.

3. Engage Your Audience: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your followers to share their thoughts on your designs and spark conversation so you can gauge what what might need tweaking.

4. Pre-Sell Limited Pieces: Once you’ve gathered feedback from your images the next step is to start pre-selling a limited number of pieces. This approach a...

SHOWCASE YOUR COLLECTION DURING FASHION WEEK
Even if you are just starting out!

Have you always dreamt of showing your fashion collection at fashion week….

Well…. Some of the designers in Fashion Entrepreneurs Academy experienced the esteemed opportunity of showcasing their collections during Fashion Week in February after just a few months in the programme.

Most were starting from scratch and some hadn’t even gone to fashion school but this is what they achieved.

Lotte said she loved being part of the showrooom and that it was an “amazing unreal experience”…..

Natasha said she "felt lucky to be mentored by [yours truly] in Fashion Entrepreneurs Academy" …

Tiffany said "it was a great experience". She "loved talking to press and buyers", who all loved her collection, and she finally "felt like a fashion designer" and entrepreneur!

Our spotlight designer even received celebrity treatment from a barrage of fashion press.

In less than 6 months you too could experience this when you become a mem...