155 – Creating change in the UK fashion industry – Lee Akpareva

Lee Akpareva is a fashion designer, tailor and technology consultant. He's also creative director of Never Fade, a fashion store and creative space on Old Compton Street in London.We chat about collaborations within the fashion industry, helping new designers get a head start, and how blockchain and technology are impacting the fashion industry and manufacturing.Discover:About Lee and his background before becoming a designer 02:40Having a second-life career 05:34Why he decided to go to fashion school as a mature student 07:58How he started working with Never Face 10:27About the Never Fade store and the designers they work with 12:17Why Lee is focusing on UK production 15:32How they select the up-and-coming designers for Never Fade 16:09How money and funding is a big constraint for new designers 17:43Why there's not more diversity in fashion colleges 18:21Why aren't there more black tailors? 21:40Lee's future plans for his business? 23:23Why collaboration is the way forward for the industry 25:31The rise of Blockchain and NFC 26:26The rise of 'digital' clothing and accessories 29:32The adoption of technology in fashion manufacturing 32:35How we can reinvigorate our high streets 37:06More about Lee AkparevaLee Akpareva on Instagram Stay in TouchBritish Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brandMake it British websiteJoin Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturersMake it British on InstagramMake it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos.