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Fashion Designers Apply Now to Fund Your Next Collection!

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We are so excited to have seen a wonderful 2014/2015 season with so many amazing collections being funded on our platform!

Here is a short list of FAQs to prepare you for the application process:

Q1. I am fresh out of school can I still apply?

A1. Yes. Your acceptance depends on a combination of  factors: experience, education, skills, awards received, uniqueness of products. We are looking for talented individuals  that have the potential to grow when using our service.

Q2. I am a somewhat established independent fashion designer, what can I get from your service?

A2. As an established designer  you can use the Luevo platform to test the market desirability of  your new products. Better yet, you gain more followers, pre-sell your collections and further strengthen your brand!

Q3. Can I just post my design drawings?

A3. Unfortunately, no. Our customers want to see exactly the final product they will be buying. You will have to produce a sample and post high-resolution images that show the details of your product.

Q4. Is Luevo manufacturing my products once they are successfully funded?

A4. NO. You as a designer are in charge of your own production.

Q5. Do my products have to be handmade?

A5. NO. This is not a site for handmade products only. You can choose to make your own production or outsource. We encourage using local manufacturers and suppliers.

Q6.What happens with the returns?

A6. You are responsible for accepting returns and refund the customer.

Q7. Do I have to compromise on price because I am pre-selling my products?

A7.  You are responsible for determining the appropriate price for your products, based on your costs and required profit margins. If your minimums are high then it makes business sense to reduce pricing accordingly.

Q8. Does Luevo own the rights over my designs?

A8. NOPE. You own full rights over your designs, products and brand.

Q9. Do I have to be based in North America to post my products on Luevo?

A9. YES. Currently we can only launch US and Canada based designers.

Q10. Do I have to pay to have my products on Luevo?

A10. NO. It is free to post products and request pre-orders. We only make money if you do, after you successfully fund your products.

If you are a fashion designer ready to crowdfund your next collection, please use our online application HERE. And if you’d like to learn more, don’t forget to check out our free tips and sign-up for courses and webinars.

 

3 Tips for the Emerging Fashion Designer

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Yet another week of fashion extravaganza stormed through our city, and many emerging fashion designers have had the opportunity to mingle, network or even launch their collections.

I am a big follower of everything that moves in the fashion industry: bloggers, stylists, designers, fashionistas and pretty much anyone that cares and is involved in the local fashion scene. I lived every moment of the fashion week by digesting Twitter feeds , Instagram pictures and Facebook posts.

And here is tip #1: If you are an aspiring or emerging fashion designer – you must stay connected to your local fashion influencers! Twitter is a good place to “stalk” them and stay up-to-date with latest news and events in the fashion industry. Find bloggers, stylists, fashion publications and organizations that will surely overload you with the latest fashion news.

Indeed, during fashion week it can be a little overwhelming with all the media hype around the big established designers and the runway shows. But learn to listen and filter to what is of real value to you
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Tip #2: Attend smaller events where you can get valuable networking done.

Best part of fashion week is the high concentration of fashion influencers, but you will have to find the appropriate event to network with them. One of these opportunities was the speed-networking event organized by Fashion Group international and Fashion Takes Action. This event is typically sold-out, and you can meet with potential clients, HR recruiting firms specializing in fashion, bloggers, boutique owners and mentors. I recommend these types of events to anyone starting up in any kind of industry, and make sure you bring tons of business cards!
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Tip #3: Enroll in industry specific organizations before the fashion week.

You are very lucky to be able to start a fashion business in a city like Toronto. Bigger metropolitan cities typically have fashion hubs that come with non-for-profit organizations, incubators, and an abundance of mentors. Being part of these will give you access to latest news, reduced ticket prices to fashion events and more networking opportunities.
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Here is a short list of organizations that as an aspiring or emerging fashion designer in Toronto you should seriously consider:

Toronto Fashion Incubator – an innovative and highly respected non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and nurturing small business entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.

Fashion Group International – global non-profit organization of executives, designers and entrepreneurs in more than 30 chapters around the world. Toronto is their only Canadian chapter.

Fashion Takes Action – Canada’s premier non-profit organization that focuses on sustainability in the fashion industry.

Emerging Fashion Designers Launched at the Oscars

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The Academy Awards are known for launching emerging fashion designers. A relatively unknown designer is introduced to millions of people at one single event. Some of the world’s most recognized starlets will be photographed wearing an independent label and we wonder who is going to be the next Elie Saab?
The Beirut-born emerging fashion designer Elie Saab, became a household name when Halle Berry walked out on the Oscar’s red-carpet in the now world-famous maroon dress, in 2002. It is estimated that Saab received the equivalent of  $25 million worth of publicity. She soon after joined the ranks of Chanel and Dior (read full article from Business Mirror here).


But what if you are an accessories designer? Even better! You have the opportunity to give a taste of your products to tens of A-listers in their “freebie” gifts. And that is exactly what Ms. Lauren Merkin a handbag designer from New York did. She spent more than $30,000 to have her handbags showcased in the “freebies” lounge at the Independent Spirit Awards the day before the Oscars. She also created a special red-carpet collection, hoping that some starlets will pick her handbags for the actual Awards ceremony. This is a high price to pay for a small business owner however the exposure is definitely worth it. Now Ms. Merkin’s handbags are sold internationally and have been favored by comedian Sarah Silverman, “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan and Jessica Simpson.

A story that recently drew my attention came from emerging Canadian jewelry designer Tiffany Haziza of Buddha & the Raven Studios. In 2011 she had the opportunity of having one of her products (a pearl and Swarovski crystals necklace) offered in the gift bags at the Academy Awards in 2011. Now she is running a successful business, receives custom orders from TV stars and sales internationally.


Indeed, the Academy Awards and other red carpet events are the catalyst that many emerging designers need to take their businesses further. Of course, you need a bit of good luck and a couple of connections to get you in, so start networking early. Build strong relationships with publicists and celebrity stylists and get to know the stars and what they are likely to wear at a red carpet event. Also, make sure you budget accordingly, you need to create a special collection just for that event and consider that a marketing expense.

Halle Berry at the Academy Awards, 2002.

Halle Berry at the Academy Awards, 2002.

Lauren Merkin Clutch emerging designer

Lauren Merkin Clutch

Tiffany from Buddha & The Raven Studio, emerging designer

Tiffany from Buddha & The Raven Studio