To the untrained eye, it is often an enigma how the major brands we know and love today claimed such prestige and recognition. When you hear the likes of Tom Ford, Versace, Louis Vuitton and so many more designer brands, a spark ignites in your soul and a lust for that specific label graces your daydream. So how does one create such a label? 

Well, we at The Cut Fashion Academy are committed to inspiring, educating and illuminating the way for the next generation of designers and visionaries. This is your year to make an impact, so we have created a list of the top 10 tips from our team of experts to help you make an impact on the fashion industry this year:

Be truly sustainable.  

If you want to stand out in such a competitive industry it’s important to position your brand for success by hearing and responding to current societal needs. Zero-waste, organic and/or recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, the list is infinite. There are so many ways you can incorporate mindful and environmentally conscious methods into the production of your products. Building trust with your customers is what will ensure loyalty and repeat purchases. KOTN is a wonderful example of a brand that does just this. 

Be innovative. 

The fast track to success in this industry is creating a design, a product, a concept that people didn’t know they needed until they saw it. Incorporating old design with new emerging technologies is one of many ways to unleash a new world of innovative design. What can you dream up that could impact the industry for the better? A company called CuteCircuit makes clothes and accessories that can display messages and tweets. Katy Perry, Kelly Osbourne and Nicole Sherzinger have worn its creations. 

Why your product? 

This industry, as you are probably aware, is over-saturated with hopeful designers trying to get noticed. It is important for you to develop a product that will stand out. Be original. Ask yourself, are you being authentic? Are you stepping outside of the norm? In order to stand out you will need ask yourself: Why does the world need your point of view on fashion? If you can answer this. You will make a huge splash. 30-year-old designer Jaquemus is the perfect example of this. He made his impact in an industry by capturing soft lines and elegant design.

Collaborations - Cool and interesting collaborations make impact!

Establishing your brand’s identity, generating a following and regularly engaging the customer are just a few of the many challenges that arise when you embark on your fashion journey. This is why collaborations are so genius. Collaborating with other brands grants you access to their entire audience. You get to piggyback on their success and communicate your brand to a whole new demographic. One of the most legendary collaborations in the last decade for us is undoubtedly Versace x H&M in 2011.

Make limited collections. 

Too many options in a collection can be overwhelming, and difficult to keep cohesive. Additionally limiting the available quantities also makes your collections more scarce which can drive up a customer’s perceived value of a piece. Take the legendary Hermes Birkin bag as an example. Why the bags are so highly sought after is that they are in limited runs and often created with rare exotic skins and leathers. 

Unbeatable customer service. 

Customer service represents your brand, your values and your image. Your customer service is one of the key factors when it comes to customer retention, a vital part of any thriving business. In order to ensure loyalty, and guarantee repeat customers, investing in your customer service is essential. Remember good customer service encourages customers to remain loyal.

New fabrics.  Developing fabrics is expensive but makes a major impact. 

Use cutting-edge technologies and societal trends to guide your fabric development dreams. Most of us want the newest, best, and most advanced everything, and developing your own inspired fabric could create the next niche for your brand to stand out from the crowd. Orla Keily is a stand-out example of how you can create an entire empire around a single fabric design. 

Donate.  TenTree.ca is a great example. 

‘1 Billion Trees by 2030.’ Social do-good incentives like this make shoppers feel good about supporting your business, and it feels really good to plant trees! Ten Tree is a brand that takes initiative and helps consumers feel good about where they are investing their money.

Co-op.  Make your business a co-op for all staff. 

Community and connection give us a sense of belonging and purpose. By stitching a coop philosophy into the fabric of your business's DNA you can foster a sense of partnership and camaraderie amongst your team. Run by a cooperative of local designers and artists whose work is exclusively available at the store, Urban Alchemist in NYC is a haven of up-and-coming designers that will capture your attention.

All the above!

When you combine all of the tips provided above, with your individual creative passion for design, and the tools you’ll gain from enrolling with us at The Cut Fashion Academy, you will be well on your way to becoming the future of prestigious luxury brand household names. 

Written by Melissa Hegarty | www.melissahegarty.com