Let’s face it. Banks don’t like lending to creative businesses and fashion businesses, especially, are viewed as high risk. However, if you had a growing and viable brand, then the Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is what you’d apply for. Don’t waste precious time. Pick yourself up, prepare, and pitch for the funds you need writes Joanne …
Read MoreHOW CAN EUROPEAN BRANDS CONQUER THE ASIAN MARKET?
I often hear it said that discerning Asian consumers “lack brand loyalty.” Indeed, the Asian consumer tends to crave newness, but the crux of the matter lies in history. For generations, the US and European markets have grown up with the same household brands. From a young age, we have been hardwired to associate the …
Read MoreTHE RISE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND FEMINISM IN FASHION
A few years ago a financial expert asked me whether the eco-friendly fashion platform Reve En Vert would be a future success. I told him “Honestly, I’m afraid customers don’t want to pay more for a garment just because it’s sustainable”. Well, that tide may be turning as their business has just had a successfully …
Read MoreTHE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF FASHION MARKETING PART 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our series unpacking the challenges and opportunities of fashion marketing. In Part 1, we looked at some of the biggest challenges facing fashion marketers today. These included standing out in a noisy crowd, the importance of brand identity and solving the multi-channel puzzle. Now, let’s move on to personalisation, the …
Read MoreTHE REVOLVING DOOR OF FASHION AND THE CHANGING ROLES WITHIN IT
Falling sales, shrinking margins and the digital age have forced the fashion industry into reboot mode. Unprecedented structural changes are taking place across the board and with this overhaul comes the shift of creative fashion job roles. Take for example Virgil Abloh who has recently been appointed to take over menswear at Louis Vuitton. …
Read MoreALIGN PART 3 – REDEFINING INNOVATION
The biggest headache for the fashion business today is staying relevant, and relevance comes from investing in research, development, and fashion innovation. When I talk with clients about innovation and test them to see if they are ready to think outside their comfort zone, many become quite anxious. They always seem to link the word …
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