How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits

In episode 86, Kirby Best, the CEO & President of the innovative on-demand factory Bespoke Manufacturing Company, talks about what on-demand production is and what it means for the future of fashion. Learn the pros and cons of an on-demand model and how to know if it is a good fit for your fashion business. Kirby is currently the President & CEO of BMC.Fashion, iCreate. Fashion, and 3100 W...

In episode 85, design agency founder and intimate apparel brand co-founder Kristen Anderson reveals the inner workings of the lingerie and swim industry. Kristen speaks from her experience as an in-house designer, freelancer, intimate apparel design agency owner of KRSTN NDRSN, and co-founder of the intimates brand Iteration sharing the lessons she’s learned and the new innovations she’s excited a...

In episode 84, UPPERCASE founder and designer, Sophie Kissling, tells us what she’s learned, the mistakes she’s made, and the smart choices she’s made throughout her career as a designer and personal stylist. She now weaves her experience seamlessly into smart closet services - including wardrobe edits and the UPPERCASE line that fills the gaps in sustainable wardrobes. UPPERCASE was born as an ex...

In episode 83, Sadie Burton shares her story about starting her fashion brand, FRST John, with a focus on real women, real life, and real impact on her community. Hear what she’s learned about designing, marketing, and wholesaling and the big plans she has for FRST John’s impact in the future. FRST JOHN is a purpose-driven brand focused on designing feminine yet functional womenswear. Each collect...

In episode 82, hear how attorney-turned-designer Sopi Mitil turned her frustration with the lack of well-fitting petite professional attire into a business: The Sopi Mitil Co. The brand offers short (but not just small) women stylish, professional attire that fits curves like a glove without a trip to the tailor.  The Sopi Mitil Co. is a fashion brand that has emerged as a beacon of empowerme...

In episode 81, hear how Emily Bracey took what she learned in fashion school in a whole new direction that focuses on timeless, slow fashion, and ethical fashion in her brand Juuney. Inspired by her grandma June’s purposeful and resourceful closet, Emily creates basics that can go from a wedding to naptime and are made to be meaningful for generations. Juuney was born out of the founder, Emily Bra...

In episode 80, Joie LaFrentz shares all the thoughtful decisions that go into designing for Jola, her line of colorful basics with a twist . Learn how she balances design, production, sales, and admin for her business all from remote Iowa.  Joie LaFrentz was born and raised in Iowa and has always had a love for design, color, and fashion. She studied both fashion merchandising and design befo...

In episode 79, hear how Jenna Loyal, the founder of Pro Hac Vice, has created a fashion-forward brand that petite women actually want to wear - all while working a full-time day job. With thoughtful fit, feminine details, and quality fabrics, Pro Hac Vice serves style in just the right proportions. Jenna Loyal is the founder of Pro Hac Vice, a New York City based clothing brand for petite women, 5...

In episode 78, mother-daughter duo Stephanie and Mary Cayten Brakefield share their passion for universal design that is fun, comfortable, and accessible. Their brand, Brakefields, is built on the idea that designing accessibility is better for people of all abilities and that fashion should be functional without sacrificing style. It’s funny how the sum of all your experiences come together to cr...

In episode 77, hear how Marina Hayes has grown her successful robe and lounge brand and a community of “fat activists” to provide more comfortable and well-fitting clothing options to plus size people. After selling out the first production run in less than two days, Peridot Robes has expanded their styles, fabrics, and the difference their clothes make for people that wear them. Marina's entrepre...

In episode 76, Chamiah Dewey shares how she has built the UK’s first brand for short-statured (under 4’11”) people with empathy, diversity, inclusivity, and style at the forefront. Hear how she’s overcome the challenges of creating a whole new standard for fit and sizing – and the difference it has made in peoples’ lives. Chamiah Dewey is the founder and CEO of Chamiah Dewey Fashion, the UK’s firs...

In episode 75, Erica Sullivan Feggeler dives into how the sun-protective apparel brand idea she put together for a university business pitch competition her senior year has expanded its mission, product line, and impact. 2.5 years later, Low Ultraviolet is making waves in the UPF50 clothing market and creating a community that outshines skin cancer.  Erica is the founder and CEO of Low Ultrav...

In episode 74, drawing from decades of running her own successful fashion and retail business and coaching other fashion product brands to do the same, Jane Hamill shares practical strategies and lessons on identifying and connecting with the ideal customers for your brand. She shares what’s working and what’s not in today’s fashion business landscape. Jane Hamill is the founder of Fashion Brain A...

In episode 73 - the second episode in our summer fashion business series - apparel business consultant and SEO expert Glynis Tao of Chase Your Dreams consulting demystifies SEO for fashion brands. She explains how SEO works, why fashion brand owners should care, and how an optimized e-commerce website helps you serve your customers better (and make more sales). Glynis is a clothing brand owner tur...

This week we kick of a summer mini-series diving into the business side of fashion! In episode 72, fashion brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles shares her expertise on selling your fashion products without selling your soul. We talk about getting into a sales mindset that isn’t sleazy and practical tips on how, when, and where to sell so that you can make money doing what you love. Elizabeth Stiles i...

In episode 71, Patricia Luiza Blaj shares how her own relatable struggle to find clothing in her size led her to start Loud Bodies - an ethical, sustainable, and inclusive brand that offers sizes 2XS-10XL. Patricia believes that you too deserve to be happy,  to wear beautiful clothes, and to be respected and represented by brands – and the Loud Bodies clothes and business reflect that. Patric...

In episode 70, hear how Leah Longueville grew the onesie screen printing hobby she started in her spare bedroom when her daughter was a newborn into a thriving lifestyle brand for millennial moms. Over five years later, Polished Prints now sells retail and wholesale plus has its own brick and mortar shop with multiple employees. Leah shares practical tips on how it all happened and how her mindset...

In episode 69, Crystal Cave gets real and honest about her decision to close Poppy Row - the inclusive and sustainable apparel brand she started in 2018. She shares what changed over the years in the business and in her personal life and why closing the brand is NOT failure, but growth. Crystal Cave is a celebrity stylist turned style educator and fashion designer. She is the Founder + Creative Di...

In episode 68, Stacy Grace shares how being frustrated with the overabundance of synthetic underwear options available, she set out with her husband and co-founder Jeff to create Kent - a fully compostable, natural underwear brand. Three years after launch, Kent offers underwear and basics for women and men that are soft and breathable and you get to “plant your pants” when you are done with them....

In episode 67, Emma Rubinson takes us behind the scenes of her namesake label and shares how she designs artful fashion and experiences that encourage people to be their most authentic selves. Hear her creative perspective on design and what it took to produce her recent NYFW collection. Hailing from the planet Neptune, Emma Rubinson is a rare species of light that only travels in prime numbers. S...

In episode 66, hear how Lizzie Gordon started a fashion brand making sports bras for bigger boobs after years of thinking “some bigger brand will be the one to make this”. Personally understanding the challenges women face trying to find sports bras in larger cup sizes, Lizzie set out to solve those challenges and she shares what she’s learned about being a business owner in the fashion industry i...

In episode 65, Kahindo Mateene shares the inspiration, ethics, and inside entrepreneurial journey of her namesake label Kahindo. With a focus on African textiles, her business is built to empower the women who wear her clothes and the women who make them.  KAHINDO is a New York based ethical fashion brand that is inspired by our founder’s Congolese heritage and African upbringing and ethicall...

In episode 64, Amanda shares how she started a sustainable fashion brand, Nicole & Rose, with the goal of making all women feel worthy, powerful, and included. From starting with just a dream of working in fashion to now running her own brand, Amanda’s journey is relatable and affirming. Amanda has loved fashion for as long as she can remember and has always dreamed of starting her own clothin...

In episode 63, Tigist Ketema recalls the demoralizing fitting room experiences trying to find workwear that fit her curvy, petite frame and shares how she felt called to solve that for herself and other women by creating something that didn’t exist before: a luxury workwear brand designed and made just for petite women.  Tigist Ketema is the founder and designer behind Tigist Petites, the lux...

In episode 62, hear how Bianca Bellantoni has built her sustainable fashion brand, Bellantoni, to be kind to animals and the planet  - and how she’s grown as a designer and business owner in the process. Bianca Bellantoni is a Canadian designer and the founder behind the sustainable and cruelty-free clothing brand, BELLANTONI, which she started in 2017. She has her Bachelors of Design from To...