Throughout your academic career and beyond, it is imperative to surround yourself with people who support you. This is the smartest move you can make, as it will help you stay motivated and focused as you build your brand. Fortunately, there are organizations out there that are dedicated to helping emerging fashion businesses reach their goals. Called “fashion incubators,” these invaluable initiatives are designed to accelerate the growth of fashion businesses through networking opportunities, professional development, shared resources, management expertise, mentorship, intellectual capital, and more. In fact, most also offer studio space along with the opportunity to rub elbows with celebrated design mentors and powerful forces in fashion such as Vogue.
While many great fashion incubators can be found across the country, some have received more press than others. The following five fashion incubators are members of this exceptional group.
1. Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Incubator (CFDA), New York, New York
The most prestigious fashion incubator in the U.S., the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) incubator “is a business development program designed to support the next generation of fashion designers in New York City.” The mission is to “help grow and sustain the businesses of the participating brands over the course of the two-year program,” thus helping them to become an integral part of the New York Fashion community. The program highlights educational seminars, networking opportunities, business mentoring, and affordable design studio space.
With program underwriters such as Target (lead underwriter), M.A.C Cosmetics, and W Hotels Worldwide, the CFDA incubator is one of the most selective in the fashion industry. To be eligible, an applicant must be a designer of demonstrable talent, (i.e. have garnered substantial editorial coverage, and have support (orders) from top retailers), be in business for a minimum of two years, and be able to occupy CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} design studio space by a specified date. The program is open to U.S. residents or designers who have established a primary design business in the United States.
2. Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street (CFI), Chicago, Illinois
Established in 2008, the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street (CFI) is a recognized 501(c)3 not-for-profit with a mission to “make a meaningful economic impact in Chicago by giving fashion designers technical product development and business tools and training to create innovative products and launch globally competitive businesses based in Chicago.” CFI members have access to a 2,375 square foot space on the 11th floor of the historic Macy's on State Street building, which features a design and sample production studio, shared office, meeting space, a photo studio, and a multimedia room that serves as a showroom for buyer presentations or a place to collaborate and “find inspiration about fashion’s next big idea.”
Designers also have access to technical training and support and the Driehaus Fashion Entrepreneur Center at CFI, with industry resource materials, publications and subscription services such as WGSN trend forecasting. Training and mentoring from industry professionals through workshops and on an individual basis (including feedback from Macy’s Chicago-based merchant team and buyers from other organizations and business and marketing experts) is also available as well as multiple press and promotion opportunities to generate publicity for your brand. Members will take trips to Chicago area retailers, manufacturing facilities, and trade shows, and as well as industry-related excursions to New York.
One of the earliest incubators in the country, CFI has an impressive track record. Around 83 percent of program participants have established successful apparel businesses. The program has also produced a Project Runway star or two.
3. Fashion Incubator San Francisco at Macy’s Union Square (FiSF), San Francisco, California
Formed in 2011, Fashion Incubator San Francisco at Macy’s Union Square (FiSF) was developed from the blueprint of the Chicago Fashion Incubator. The non-profit, 501c3 corporation’s mission is to “accelerate emerging apparel and accessories design businesses while supporting fashion industry economic growth and job creation in the San Francisco Bay Area.” Participants receive individualized mentoring from fashion industry experts and business development professionals, access to educational courses and public programs, a salesroom, low-cost design studio space, and high-profile opportunities to showcase new lines.
According to the FISF site, the program is for “entrepreneurs who are serious about scaling their existing businesses.” With a Board of Directors that consists of prominent figures such as Dennis Conaghan (Executive Director, San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED), Diane Green (Fashion Chair, City College of San Francisco), and Betsy Nelson (Vice President of Media Relations and Cause Marketing for Macy’s West Coast Regions, Macy's, Inc.), the FiSF incubator accepts just six designers into the six to 12-month program.
Applicants must have an existing business with documented product sales of at least $25,000 in retail accounts or direct to consumer, be a U.S. citizen, and reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
4. DC Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Metro Center (DCFI), Washington DC
The DC Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Metro Center (DCFI) is designed to provide six to ten emerging DC metro area-based designers and international designers with the resources they need to launch their careers in fashion. The one-year program provides a shared showroom/conference room, workspace, a curriculum in fashion and business, and opportunities for designers in residence to pitch their collections to buyers and investors. In addition, DCFI provides publicity and tech-driven mentorship, commercialization assistance, seminars/workshops in fashion design & commerce, financial planning, business registration, branding, networking opportunities for start-ups, and business assistance.
To apply, designers must commit to the 35 hours per week of incubator usage and reside in DC or Prince George’s County. In addition, there is a three-year minimum in business and seven-year maximum. Applicants to the program are judged by the DCFI Board and a team of industry professionals.
5. Seattle Fashion Incubator (SFI), Seattle, Washington
This unique fashion incubator is an “advocate for independent designers in the Puget Sound region.” Supported by sponsors, content providers, and volunteers, Seattle Fashion Incubator (SFI) sits in a new 3,600 square foot facility. The program, which values collaboration, openness, community, accessibility, and sustainability, offers several opportunities including the Designer in Residence Program, the Associate Residence Program, and General Membership.
The Designer in Residence option is a full-time program open to fashion brands, while the Associate Resident option is part-time and open to designers. General Membership offers access to free counseling by industry front-runners as well as marketing and PR opportunities. To find out about the application process, contact the program here or visit the SFI website.
Sources
Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street (CFI). Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street, 2016. Web. 13 June 2016.
Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Incubator (CFDA). Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Incubator, 2016. Web. 13 June 2016.
DC Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Metro Center (DCFI). DC Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Metro Center, 2016. Web. 13 June 2016.
Fashion Incubator San Francisco at Macy’s Union Square (FiSF). Fashion Incubator San Francisco, 2016. Web. 13 June 2016.
"San Francisco's First Fashion Incubator to Reignite City's Flare for Apparel Design." Business Wire. A Berkshire Hathaway Company, 11 July 2011. Web. 13 June 2016.
Seattle Fashion Incubator (SFI). Seattle Fashion Incubator, 2016. Web. 13 June 2016.
