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How You Can Use Pantone's Colour Of The Year.


In case you missed it, Pantone announced their Colour Of The Year - Peach Fuzz 13-1023 and I personally love it! OK, I'm a little biased as it's pretty on-brand for me. But love it or hate it, you're going to be seeing a lot of it in store this year and beyond.


"PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It's a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul. In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a colour radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless." Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute™


So as a fashion brand, how can you incorporate it into your collections?


Tactile fabrics.

This colour is screaming to be applied to anything with a texture whether this be something with a pile such as velvet, velour and towelling to something more subtle like a brushed finish on cotton, both jersey and wovens. In Autumn think borg, faux fur and wool.

If we don't see an iconic best-selling coat in these peachy tones I'll be astounded.




Dresses and skirts.

Although not limited to these categories, this peach tone is a perfect base for ditsy prints and large-scale abstracts alike. Add terracotta, white and khaki for a Mediterranean feel or zing it up with aqua and hot pink.




Shirts and tops.

This is sure to be a perfect summer injection colour in T-shirts, polos and jersey styles across all markets. The colour pairs well with classic colours such as navy and grey as well as neutrals such as coffee, tan and creme brulee.


Athleticwear.

Peach Fuzz lends itself nicely to Yogawear and the well-being market in general not least because of it's evocative connection with mind body and soul. Add some boldness to athleticwear with bright sunset-rich colours and pops of black and white.





Accents.

You don't have to go full-on with this colour and if you're not sure about it, try using it as an accent in branding, trims and accessories.




I'd love to know what you think of the colour and if you're hoping to use it in your collection. If you need help defining colours for your collection or any aspect of design and industry help just drop me a line at info@thefashionexpert.com


See you in the front row,

Michelle.






5 Reasons You Shouldn't Start That Fashion Brand.

If you're new here this blog may seem a bit odd given I'm here to encourage and facilitate startups with their design journey and brand launch!!

But, once you get to know me you'll understand I'm passionate about sharing a very realistic view of the fashion industry and the road ahead of you as a startup founder. I believe if you're armed with the right knowledge it's 100% accessible to you.


The fashion industry is often portrayed as glamorous and alluring, with dreams of creating iconic clothing lines and influencing trends. However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a challenging and highly competitive business. When you're new to the fashion industry and considering starting your own brand, it's crucial to be aware of the hurdles you might face. In this blog post, we'll explore five reasons why you might want to think twice before diving headfirst into the world of fashion entrepreneurship.


1. You Have No USP.

The fashion industry is oversaturated with countless brands, from established giants to emerging startups. Breaking through this clutter and gaining a foothold can be exceptionally challenging.

Newcomers often underestimate the sheer number of brands vying for consumer attention, making it a tough environment for those without a clear, distinct vision.

It often takes years of hard work, dedication, and a unique selling proposition to stand out.

That's not to say it's not possible for a startup to be successful and having that unique selling point is key. What sets your brand apart from the rest? What is different about your products? What solution do you offer to your consumers? Getting clear on this is key. Without it, you risk being lost in the noise.





2. You Have A Super Low Budget.


Creating a fashion brand involves substantial upfront costs, including designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution. Without proper financial planning, you may find yourself up against it financially before even getting started.

There are lots of things you can do to start a brand on a shoestring and there are even more things you can waste your money on.

Make sure you get the right help to understand how to do it correctly, how to avoid the costly pitfalls, and what you really should be investing in to make it all work.




3. You're Just Playing At It.


Are you committed to it? For every brand I see launch, I see 10 clients who are really just flirting with the idea. Tough love time - ask yourself are you really serious about this or did you see someone on Instagram with some branded hoodies and think it looks "fun"!?

If you've been thinking about this for a long time and the same startup idea keeps coming back to you then this is a good sign you're meant to pursue it and that your idea has legs.

Another great indicator for this is to think about how you'd feel if you saw another brand launch your exact same idea. Would you be gutted you didn't get onto this sooner? If not then it's time to walk away.

Don't confuse a really great business idea with shiny new thing syndrome.


4. You're Here To Make A Quick Buck.


Yes, it's possible to make a profitable business by launching a fashion brand. But it won't be an overnight success. It takes time, planning, and the right people on your side.

I have the same conversation every week during discovery calls where I have to let clients down gently. You're not going to be able to launch in the next 2 months. Even with ready-made garments, you still need to factor in sampling and shipping time. And let's face it, do you really want to splurge your startup capital on a generic product available to anyone wholesale? Probably not. Hopefully not!

Triple the time you think it's going to take, learn about the whole process from concept to production, and what's involved in marketing the product once you have it.



5. You Lack Discipline & Commitment.


If you're anything like most of the startups I work with, then starting a clothing brand is probably a project you're trying to do alongside something else that takes up a large chunk of your time such as a 9-5 job, your family, or both.

If that's the case you really need to carve out some time each week to devote to your business idea. Slow and steady wins the race every time.

There will be weeks when you make progress and others when it doesn't happen. That's life. But if you're someone who constantly tells yourself you've no time yet continually prioritise doom-scrolling and reality TV then you should question what is important.

I've seen the most inspirational founders who despite their crazy schedules just get it done proving that if you really want it, you'll make time for it. Usually, they opt to have some mentoring that will keep them on track and give them the accountability they need to fast-track their startup progress.


If you need help getting clear about any of this then why not book in for my Power Hour session? During this video call, we can chat about the potential and viability of your business idea before you plunge into unknown waters and waste your precious startup capital.

You'll get access to a recording of the call as well as some action points (if applicable) to take away with you to help you get started.

If this sounds like a sensible place to start you can find out more information here.



See you in the front row,

Michelle.



The Most Important Colours From SS24 Catwalks.

Fashion trendsetters, get ready to dive headfirst into the enchanting world of Spring/Summer 2024! The SS24 runway catwalks were nothing short of a kaleidoscope of innovation, and as the fashion world eagerly awaits the next big thing, it's time to talk about the colours that stole the show. SS24 offers a rich tapestry of colours that will dominate our wardrobes in the coming season, from pastel hues that soothe the soul to vibrant shades that scream confidence. In this blog post, we'll explore the most important colours from the SS24 runway and ask "which ones will you include in your collection?"


Lime green.

Bordering on neon, this mouth-watering pop was seen at Gucci and Byblos in statement tailoring, Giambattista in floor-length chiffons and pleats, Roberto Cavalli in plain and tropical printed silks and satins as well as shimmering sequins and feathers, and Tod's teamed with khakis and muted greens.




Cherry Red.

Simmering down the bright reds we saw last season SS24 gives us a sophisticated, moody red. Gucci and Rick Owens showed how good this colour looks on leather whereas Prada took a softer approach with floaty chiffons. This red is a perfect partner to the acid green as we saw at Gucci.




Lilac.

This calming hue lends itself to soft silhouettes and floaty fabrics such as chiffon and lace as seen at Caroline Herrera. Givenchy's perfect satin duster jacket showed the colour off with neutral tones while Marc Jacobs 70's trench coat in buttery soft suede was a vision of prettiness.




Royal Blue.

One of my personal favourite colours Royal Blue is a move on from some of the blues we have seen over the past few seasons. Royal blue screams confidence and I adored the head-to-toe silks in Armani's show as well as the pleated fabrics at Burberry, Isabel Marant and Balmain.




I'd love to know which colours are your favourite and if you will be including them in your designs.


Looking for trends for other seasons? Did you know I can create a bespoke trend analysis for your brand based on the season and market sector you're designing for? If that sounds like something you need then book a free chat here to talk about what you are looking for.


See you in the front row, Michelle.






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