Fashion Design and Product Development Consultant / Design, Tech Packs, Sourcing and Production Specialist. 30+ years experience
Starting a fashion brand is exciting........... but there are a few pitfalls I see again and again when working with start-ups Here are three of the big ones: ✨ Trying to please everyone If you don’t know exactly who your customer is, your designs, messaging and sourcing decisions can easily miss the mark ✨ Skipping the tech pack stage A tech pack is your blueprint without one, quotes will be inconsistent, production will be slower, and mistakes will creep in and cost you more money ✨ Making the range too big You don’t need a huge collection to start. 1–4 styles is more than enough to test the water. A smaller range keeps sampling and fabric costs down and gives you room to learn before you scale I’ve seen brands turn these mistakes around but it’s much easier (and cheaper!) to avoid them in the first place What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far? #fashionstartup #fashionfounders #fashionmentor #productdevelopment #ukmanufacturing #fashionbusiness
Thanks for sharing this. It reminded me of this stat: according to FashionUnited, about 80% of fashion start-ups fail within the first 3 years, and inconsistent production or oversized collections are cited as key reasons. Makes me wonder how a fashion brand can find a balance especially at the initial stage of biz when they've not tested the market...
Yes, I have seen all through my career companies trying to save money by not employing someone like me. I feel my role should be a priority! Like the retailers.
Spot on Caroline Trend
This is amazing to read from a fellow fashion designers perspective! The real challenge is to keep the balance 🤷🏻♀️
Skipping the tech pack is not acceptable.
This is such practical advice Caroline Trend especially the point about tech packs. Skipping that stage can feel like saving time, but it almost always costs more later. I’ve also noticed that new founders sometimes underestimate how much clarity on their target customer drives every other decision. Curious, when you’re advising early-stage brands, do you usually suggest they start by narrowing down the customer first or focusing on the product development process?
Clarity on customer, clean process, and tight range — that’s the formula for a strong start.
Owner/Creative Director Product Development & Sourcing, Visiting Lecturer at Central St Martins, London College of Fashion
2moMaybe also expecting it all to be ready in a few weeks? 🤯