Nurturing Tomorrow’s Fashion Leaders - How We Empower Sustainable Fashion Designers Of The Future.

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.
Recently, I’ve spent time with the new generation of graduates and undergrads discussing their futures, dreams and aspirations.  What came up so often, were the challenges as a future designer or business person in sustainability.  How difficult it is to be noticed; to get the first job opportunity (many of which have to be unpaid).  They asked how to really establish themselves in the fashion industry.  They’ve worked so hard to gain a qualification, and now it seems harder to move forward.

If I look back at my own journey through education to a successful career in fashion, I also remember those worrying and somewhat faithless days.  So in this blog, we will explore what I wish my fashion fairy godmother could have done for me, and how to nurture the aspiring designers of the future.  So let’s dig in and have some fun.

The fashion industry currently stands at a transformative crossroads as environmental concerns, increasingly grow the demand for sustainable practices.  To grow with them, emerging designers and designers for the future, hold the power to shape a new era of conscious fashion, driven by social and environmental innovation and responsibility.  

As a sustainable designer or brand creator, there are many pathways to the future of fashion.  Let’s say you have completed a fashion degree with knowledge in sustainability and see the ways the industry needs to transform, ask the critical question “How can I do that?”.  The future of fashion is a holistic one, where designers require more skills than creativity and design ability.  Those additional skills and knowledge include materials knowledge, human rights compliance, circularity, green energy, water, and waste - to name a few.  

  • ADD TO YOUR SKILLS: To make yourself valuable for brands (or ultimately for yourself), ask this question and take an inventory of your current knowledge and ability.  Where are the gaps, and what can you do to fill them?  Now, we have access to many digital courses, YouTube educators, industry experts and communities to educate us in profoundly valuable ways.  Sign up for industry-leading magazines such as Teen Vogue. 
    And remember - we have a Free Fashionable Futures Community on SKOOL, which you can Join here.  This is where you have access to endless valuable education and an amazing group of people. 

  • MODEL ON OTHERS: Glean inspiration from trailblazers in sustainable fashion, discover how they have combined creativity with eco-innovation and make their visions a reality.  These can include smaller craft-related brands right up to the likes of Gabriella Hearst and Stella McCartney, look at how they made their way to success and find your own path to model them.

  • COMMUNITIES: As we spoke about earlier, there are many digital communities for sustainable fashion.  In most cities, there are also physical communities, including NGOs and Charities, where you can gather information and network with valuable people in the industry.  The Fashionable Futures Skool community provides access to a community from all over the world with sustainable brands, founders, designers, marketers suppliers, and innovators.  The information and network available to you within this community is extremely invaluable.

  • COLLABORATIONS: Connect with some like-minded designers or brands and look at ways to innovate a product or service.  If you’re a designer, offer your services to an existing sustainable brand in an innovative way.  One that will benefit both of you to create a product or service which has real value in the industry in a new and sustainable way.  You have no idea where this could lead to.  It gives you an opportunity to make profound connections, gain credibility, and learn valuable lessons endorsed by somebody already established.  It’s also a great way to have some fun through collaboration.

  • EXPERT VOICE: establish yourself as an expert in the industry or a key opinion leader.  You could start a YouTube channel, or Instagram account or be active on LinkedIn (as I do). Certainly, you will have to learn more and more things as you move through the process of gaining credibility and building your audience.  From this, the opportunities for the future are endless.  You can also collaborate with other creators on social media platforms. You could create a course that you sell,  build your own community, and really contribute to the future of fashion in your own unique way.

On a personal note, I remember this time. I started a brand as a new graduate.  It was very difficult, and I felt very isolated.  I didn’t know where I could sell.  I received so many “nos” and “are you crazy” comments.  But I persisted and kept being true to what I believed was important for me and my journey.  One of the biggest lessons I learned, was to connect with others, especially when it felt uncomfortable.  To go beyond your limitations, to explore the world is an adventurous journey.   Whilst you can do a lot of things at home in your room, the world is an exciting place filled with extraordinary people and ideas.  So let’s make this future of fashion exactly that adventurous, exciting and fulfilling for all.

In summary, it may seem daunting to start a career as a new graduate or student.  So much to face, so much uncertainty, and yet so much opportunity.  Let’s transform the future of fashion together. Review the insights in this newsletter and take your next critical steps on your journey to the future of the industry.  We are all stewards of tomorrow’s fashion landscape.  Let’s make it a fulfilling and caring future.

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

The Power Of Having A Business Coach For The Success Of Your Brand Or Business

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

Last week we talked about success and how to achieve it, especially as it relates to your fashion brand or business.  This week, we are looking at an extraordinary way to encourage your success, which is engaging a Business Coach.  

At times, we all feel STUCK in business and life.  It feels like no matter what we do, all the effort and action doesn’t make any difference.  Does this sound familiar?  This is exactly why we engage with a business coach.  A coach, at the very least, provides a different perspective from your “stuck” one 

Engaging with a business coach, similar to working with a personal trainer, has become very popular in these competitive times.  One of the primary benefits of having a coach is that you have someone “on your side”.  You have someone who is committed to your success; they will be your partner and guide in you achieving it.  

Another key benefit is that a good coach will make you take personal accountability for achieving something in your life and business.  As humans, we are not always reliable to do what we need to do to achieve the things we say we want to achieve.  Even if we know exactly what we need to do to make something happen, we don’t always do those things.  We get distracted, bored or we don’t feel like doing it.  A good coach will see that and call us out on this disruptive or avoidant behaviour and ensure we get back on track to achieve what we set out to.

On a personal note, I have engaged business coaches for the past 15 years.  I am a manic seeker, always looking for ways to be more effective, successful and capable.  Always looking for an edge.  Maybe I have an addiction to consulting experts.  I have engaged personal trainers for years, too!  However, I am clear I have achieved so many things I would not have without a business coach.  

I will give you a few examples which I am so proud of.

  1. I left a job I hated and created a business and career I love.

  2. Increased my income several times in an extraordinary and fun way!

  3. I became an artist, had several exhibitions and sold my work globally.

  4. I transformed my relationship with my husband and created amazing adventures, deep love and connection.

  5. I have built courses and created an online community. 

These are only a few examples of what I accomplished by engaging a business coach.  It is not only the examples of accomplishments or the accomplishments themselves, it is how I have fundamentally shifted my perspective on achievement or success.  This shift of perspective is knowing that I can create my own success and achievements.  I can do anything I choose to do and make it happen.  When I get stuck, I ask my business coach to come at my stuckness from another angle.  I then go on to take new actions, which give me different results and get me closer to the results I want.   

So far, we have discussed how valuable employing a business coach is.  Yet, there are limitations or concerns to finding a suitable coach.  Let’s look at these.

  • It costs money to have a coach.  Yes, true, no question.  Yet, what would be the cost of not having one?  Certainly, in my experience, I have made more money, and been happier and more fulfilled than I would without a coach. This is priceless. 

  • Which coach to hire?  This is a very important question and subject to address.  You need someone who has achieved what you want to achieve.  Someone who is a step ahead of where you are and a step closer to where you want to be.  It’s best if they have already achieved it.

  • Coaching style.  Always find someone who can coach you in a way that will have you take action.  I once had a coach whose coaching style did not suit me, I felt like I was being yelled at, which had me just want to leave the session.  I appreciate a straightforward style, but has me feeling powerful and capable - this works for me.

 So how do you get the actual results?  

There are so many ways to achieve the goals and outcomes you set.  From my own experience, I’d like to share two key ways that work for me. 

  1. Creating the outcomes for the coming year.  This is a powerful process that takes place at the end of a year, as we look ahead to the coming year.  We create our key goals for the upcoming year and keep track of them during each coaching session.

  2. Coaching - A perfect tool for when you are Stuck.  Having a powerful conversation to make you understand your point of view is holding you back and then having you create a breakthrough to power.

 In summary, a business coach is a powerful way to propel you to success in life and business.  After having the experience of working with a coach, I have actively taken on coaching others.  I started in a personal development programme, where I coached the members, and have subsequently acted as a business coach.  After all, one of my greatest commitments is to have people become successful and fulfilled in business and life.  To be the most powerful and fulfilled version of themselves.

What would you want from a business coach?

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

What Is Success and How To Achieve It.

Hello, Darlings!

 Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

This week I want to discuss something slightly different.  A few days ago, I listened to BoF’s Imran Ahmed interviewing Alessandro Michele (formerly Gucci Creative Director and currently at Valentino).  They talked about success, firstly as it related to Michele’s success at Gucci.  Michele brushed off that he had been hugely successful, that he was so focused on his work at the time, he did not notice.  He also spoke about how polarised his “success” was in the early days.  There were many haters in the early days.  His style was, at that point, so new and different; it must have challenged people’s view of beauty.  He also talked about how he had achieved all he wanted, in fashion terms, during his tenure at Gucci.  He could have done many things outside of fashion, maybe make a movie, etc.  Yet, he chose to take the extraordinary opportunity to express his view of beauty at Valentino, that the new era at Valentino is something of a bonus for him.  Not a need to prove anything, but another journey in creativity.  Clearly, Alessandro will experience huge success at Valentino, his creations so far have been stunning.  Yet he is not being driven to be successful to prove something.  We will refer to Michele’s view of success later in this blog. 

This had me thinking about success.  It is something I have been crazy about for as long as I can remember.  I am not sure why I have been.  Maybe growing up in a place where nothing was a given in the North East of England during the miners’ strike and the end of industry in that area.  I had to be successful, there was no choice.  I would go on to do anything I could to be “my version” of success.  Relentless. 

Let’s ask the obvious question - “What is success”?

SUCCESS as Oxford Dictionary defines it: 

  • The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. "There is a thin line between success and failure"

  • The good or bad outcome of an undertaking

  • The good or ill success of their maritime enterprises

 Or as Albert Schweitzer so eloquently states: “Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.” 

This quote is very apt for the earlier reference to Alessandro Michele.  Yet not necessarily how I experienced my own success, until recently.

Success is something different to different people.  For some, it means financial security - this is something I would consider as success.  Yet, when I have financial success, I also can feel a lack of success in other areas of life.  Probably due to the focus on work and finance, I neglect or ignore important areas of life such as creativity, love and connection.  Others may see personal happiness or career as being successful.  

Cultural differences are also present in what is success.  As are personal preferences.  I know people who think success is when they are relaxed and chilled in life.  I know others who only experience success when they are working excessively.  So, as we can see, success is not something solid or easy to define it is a varied concept.  It is a personal experience and one which is fleeting and somewhat ephemeral.  So how do we measure success?  It cannot be measured, as an entity in itself, only by what it produces (e.g. money).  Even so, there are tangible and intangible versions of success. Money (as formerly mentioned) and happiness - totally intangible.

We drive ourselves crazy to be successful, to appear to be successful, to be seen as successful, to be known as successful.  Yet, I would question if any of these appearances of success really provide the absolute sense of the success we seek.

 There are so many myths about success.

  • Money = Success: The one we all know so well.  We all know many people (including ourselves perhaps) who have money and don’t feel successful.

  • Success as a Destination: There is no final place called “success”.  We can drive ourselves crazy in pushing to the inevitable destination, missing the joys of the journey and the joys in life.

  • Overnight Success: recently this has been debunked by many online influencers.  The so-called overnight success is usually 10-15 years of hard work and failures.  

Clearly, there are many keys and roads to success.  There is so much information available on how to be successful.  We must all know how to do it.  

Let’s explore:

  • Mindset for success: So many influencers and spiritual leaders provide endless content on this

  • Goal Setting and focus

  • Ongoing learning: Constantly learning from materials and life experiences

  • Personal development: coaches, mentors, masterminds and courses

  • Hard work and perseverance

  • Flexibility in challenges: the ability to try, fail, pivot and start again

The practical ways to achieve success are all available to us.  So why are many people still struggling with success?  The answer to this question is complex, nuanced and very personal.  

Let’s consider some answers here:

  • Some of us are unwilling to do what it takes to be an Alessandro Michele

  • Some of us have children and families.  It is not possible (or at least this is how we see it)

  • We did not have the opportunity to work in luxury fashion.  Not born in Italy - like Michele

  • Not talented enough.

To summarise: from this exploration of success, something has become clear to me. 
Success is a personal game. 
For myself, I have shifted my focus from being successful - which in my terms is being driven - to being fulfilled.  Fulfilled in my terms is to feel good about my work, and my progress, I have peace of mind and it is something I can impact myself.  I am not looking for outside confirmation to confirm my fulfilment or success.  The insight I gleaned from Alessandro was beautiful.  When we have nothing to prove and are acting from our own creative contribution as a service, we can truly experience success.

To make this an even more valuable experience, I am giving you these very important questions below.

  • What does success mean for you?

  • Without external recognition, what would success mean for you?  

  • How would you experience success as a tangible result and as a feeling?  

  • What does fulfilment mean for you?

  • What are the steps for you to experience fulfilment right now?

  • What have you been successful in and are successful in right now?

  • Be clear - this is a journey and not a destination.  Enjoy the journey!

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

How Community and Collaboration Create Magic

Hello, Darlings!

 Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

Imagine a world where fashion reflects not just new fast fashion collections, endless social media posts from influencers and the never-ending search to develop your personal style, but also a collective commitment to sustainability and impact.  Well, it is possible.  In the world of sustainable fashion, collaboration and community are the cornerstones of sustainable innovation and impact.  

This blog will explore how collaboration, and being part of a community, can create unique synergies to project your sustainable fashion business to unlimited success while having fun at the same time.  

So What Do We Mean By “Community” In This Context?

In the context of sustainable fashion, “community” refers to the network of designers, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders all committed to impactful practices.  A community is a place (physical or virtual) where we get to collaborate with like-minded creators and entrepreneurs to create endless possibilities for the future of fashion.  That is, our own future and the collective future.  Being part of a sustainable fashion community means getting access to shared resources, mentorships and a wealth of collective knowledge, collaboration and partnership.  

Let’s explore the role of collaboration in sustainable fashion:

  1. Innovation and creativity:  Collaboration can lead to diverse ideas, along with creative and innovative solutions.  Imagine collaborating with a sustainable materials innovator, how would that collaboration impact the future of your fashion brand?

  2. Collaborative Resources: Collaborative efforts enable businesses to pool resources, including materials, technology and expertise, which can create huge benefits to innovation, efficiency and cost.  You can share suppliers, swap products, ask for design input and brainstorm ideas.

  3. Influential Partnerships: Partnerships with other Businesses, NGOs, Stakeholders and media platforms.  This can elevate the opportunities for brands and expand their businesses.  Creating partnerships is the key to engagement in the community at large.

There are some great examples of successful collaborations, including the partnership between H&M and Textile Exchange.  While H&M faces a lot of criticism for their questionable commitment to sustainability, this collaboration has brought awareness to sustainable practices in fast fashion.

 A great example of a successful community is Fashion Revolution.  This global movement is a testament to how a worldwide community can transform the attitude and commitment of the industry to transparency and ethics.  This is a truly extraordinary and inspiring community.

We have established the benefits of forming collaborations and being part of a community, now let’s look at the benefits to the larger community.  A brand or business that visibly belongs to a strong, ethical community gains consumer trust.  This authenticity is so important for the market and customers of today.

The magic of a sustainable fashion community is both profound and abundant.  This magic lies in its ability to harness the collective power of extraordinary individuals, innovators and brilliant creators.  By engaging in and embracing these principles, we can not only build sustainable brands and businesses but also contribute to a more sustainable and authentic future of fashion.

The beauty of collaboration has barely been explored, there are so many benefits we have yet to discover.  In my own experience, the workplace has often been a place of competition and somewhere one cannot fully trust others.  This limited way of operating in a work environment really undermines our commitment to excellence and contribution through our work.  

As I have discussed previously in these blogs, I don’t find being part of a community the most natural way to be in life and work.  However, there are examples of when I have (and do) belong to a community which have been deeply fulfilling and rewarding.  I recently joined a retreat, the group was quite small.  I initially felt trepidation, I wanted to go home, do some work and, basically, escape.  As the days progressed and I relaxed and allowed myself to trust others, I had such a great experience.  I left this retreat with a deep sense of love, belonging and understanding.  While this sounds a bit sensitive and personal, it gave me the opportunity to understand that community is always available and a huge opportunity for life, as lived.

I created the FASHIONABLE FUTURES community out of my commitment to those in the industry.  I have always been committed to sharing my knowledge and experience with those who are building an extraordinary future in fashion.  Being very aware of the challenges we face in the industry around huge pollution, over-production, human rights and toxicity, I know that community and collaboration are the key to an extraordinary future of fashion.  So again, I am creating profound magic for all members of my community and beyond.  Let’s use this time to create magic for the future of fashion, our own lives and businesses.

Join here!

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

How Joining A Community Can Be A Game-Changer For Your Business and Your Life

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

This week we will explore the power of joining fashion communities.  We live in rapidly evolving times, where finding your competitive edge (in life and business) is constantly pursued.  We are all looking to having a leading advantage as a way of ensuring success.  Whether you are a student, fashion entrepreneur or an established brand, the journey to success can be challenging and lonely.  Collaboration, partnership and connection are valuable for your growth and peace of mind.  Therefore, joining a community can, and does, provide tremendous benefits in your journey to the future.   

On a personal note, I have never been someone who seeks out communities.  I am fiercely independent, with a strong belief that I need to create my own future, and that “no one owes me a living”.  It may be due to Leo with Scorpio rising, Aquarius are the community people, always wanting to be with others and creating their own gang.  However, I have had to challenge this tendency, as I also have a strong desire for love and connection.  My deep distrust is easily overwhelmed with my love for people and being with (and contributing to) others.  Some of the most fulfilling experiences I have had are those with people from far away whom I have met through social media or an acquaintance.  In summary, I am in my “community era”, as I go beyond being independent and allowing others to be close to me for our mutual benefit and fulfilment.  Fashion has always been a competitive environment, and yet, now we need connection more than ever.  

Let’s explore the profound benefits of joining and being part of a community for both your personal and business gain.  Recently, especially during the rise of social media, we have seen many communities form - Facebook groups, Linkedin groups, online learning communities and in-person sports or hobby groups.  Also, since the pandemic, we have discovered our human need to connect with other humans.  

Recently a new platform for communities has been formed called SKOOL, which was created by Sam Ovens, a powerful and brilliant entrepreneur.  This is an authoritative place where you can find communities of so many diverse types and subjects.

What Is The Power Of Community In Fashion And Fashion Business?  

  • SHARED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE: Joining a community provides access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise.  From industry veterans to aspiring fashion entrepreneurs, to suppliers and technology experts, you can access a varied range of valuable information first-hand.  This collective information and wisdom can help you navigate challenges, avoid common pitfalls and hack your way to success.  In a fashion community, you may access valuable sustainable manufacturing partners or discover new and beneficial marketing strategies.

  • NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: Strong networks are the foundation of successful businesses.  Being part of a community provides invaluable networking opportunities that can create collaborations, partnerships and even friendships, and elevate your fashion business to greater success.  For example, when finding suppliers you can learn from others or connect directly with suppliers, without all the risks of trial and error.

  • VALUABLE INFORMATION: Most communities have valuable content created by the community founder.  Not only can you learn from this, but you can also provide feedback and engage directly with the founder.  You can create learning or business “Buddy Systems” to make your journey to building your business connected and fun.

  • GIVE AND RECEIVE MENTORSHIP: Communities are great places to find mentorship.  People are naturally drawn to helping others with their knowledge and experience.  A community is a powerful place for learning and gaining valuable knowledge for free or at a very low cost.  You can also give mentorship to others.  Maybe, you have a specific area of expertise that others can benefit from.  These reciprocal relationships can be profoundly valuable and fulfilling.

  • CREATING THE FUTURE OF FASHION: The fashion world has so many exciting and talented people, innovators and entrepreneurs.  Being in a community with such people creates a powerful future for fashion.  Conversations created; and opportunities and businesses developed that will transform the industry.  

Now let’s get back to a more personal note.   Why am I talking about communities?  Well, because I created one on Skool called “Fashionable Futures”.  

My intention for this community is to create the future of fashion.  I have always had a big commitment to making the world of fashion one of beauty, creativity, love and belonging.  A place where everyone has the opportunity to express and fulfil themselves both creatively and financially.  To connect with others for a greater cause, for something so much bigger than it currently is, what we perceive to be possible.  

Creating this community was something extremely important to me and yet it isn’t (as I mentioned before) a natural expression for me.  I always want things to be perfect, to have everything sorted out and make sure everyone is taken care of.  As a community founder, that is an invaluable commitment, yet a community, in and of itself, is a living and breathing entity.  When people connect it can be unpredictable and extraordinary.  By controlling the outcome of this community, I’m limiting its potential.

 What I can promise from this “Fashionable Futures” community, is an extraordinary group of members with amazing content.  I’m always committed to having people take themselves to the next level without limit.  My own experience, knowledge and expertise in the industry are invaluable to anyone, and when we bring that together with others, the opportunities are endless.

 So, I invite you to join this amazing community - AND - it is free of charge!

Let’s change the world, and create the future of fashion and have so much fun.  

I can’t wait to see you there.

 Join here!

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx