SFD101 How to Build a Sustainable Direct to Consumer Fashion Brand

When you’re launching a label, there are so many options and details that it can overwhelm even the most savvy designer. One of the questions you may be asking is, “Should I sell my fashion brand wholesale or direct-to-consumer?”   On this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, you’ll hear from Ellie Mae Waters, founder and creative director of slow fashion brand Ellie Mae Studios. Through trial and error, Ellie Mae found that direct-to-consumer, small-batch, slow fashion was the best model to get her designs into the hands of both celebrities like Mila Kunis and everyday women who want modern staples made to last a lifetime. In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover: How Ellie Mae got started in fashion (even after she decided university wasn’t for her!); The ways the fashion industry has broken her heart, and why she stuck it out; The ups and downs of the first year of her brand; How one person almost destroyed Ellie Mae Studios from within!; The winding path she took to perfect her business model; The creative and practical reasons she decided to shift away from wholesale; Who’s on her team and how they share the workload; Why Ellie Mae Studios uses unusual pricing for their pieces; And more! For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!