How NOT to Start a Fashion Brand

Pay Attention to these basics yet essential mistakes we always overlook.

Labwear Studios
3 min readFeb 12, 2024

DO NOT FOLLOW THESE STEPS to make your Fashion entrepreneur journey easier :) We’ll explore the top 5 mistakes to avoid when launching your fashion brand.

  1. Lack of identity

First of all, what is ‘Brand Identity’? Before we begin, grab a pen and jot down your brand’s identity. Does it help distinguish your brand from others? Does it narrate the story of what your brand represents? Does it aid in positioning yourself and resonating with your audiences? Brand Identity is not just about a ‘Logo’; it’s the most vital step when building a brand, which we call ‘Branding.’ It’s something we can’t control; it’s an emotion that you cultivate when your audience ‘feels’ and ‘connects’ with your brand.

For example, what comes to your mind when thinking of Labwear Studios? …….YOU’RE RIGHT! It’s all about FREE GAME, PRODUCT and CULTURE. We are a MOVEMENT that cares more about how to bring accesses to everyone who truly wants to change the dominant and exclusive fashion industry.

Free Game Represent the beliefs from our muse, Virgil Abloh, through actions that we want to continue. Prioritize sharing, educating, and putting social responsibilities into practice.

Product Our roots and inspiration comes from streetwear, always driven by innovation, disruption and details.

Culture We are a tribe that cares about what’s behind the product, we respect and admire, the attitudes are beyond how much money do we earn?

Brand identity helps not only position yourself but also help managing your brand image. It’s the first and important process that resonate your brand with your audiences. Your brand needs to tell a story. People will buy from you because they connect with what your value stands for. If you lack a mission or an identity, you will go under in the massive sea of other brands.

2. Overproducing

Don’t overproduce! (Learn more about : i want to put a link here too) No shame in producing a little less than you expect to sell; some exclusivity could enhance your brand, while dead stock could potentially harm it. Experiment with preorder models and drops to gauge how many garments you need. A young brand needs time to test the waters in the market and collect data in a way that allows you to control your budget. Without clear strategies and experience in product management, you risk burning your cash without tangible results.

3. Producing cheaply

Avoid the temptation to produce cheaply! The difference in quality between a cheap and a reputable manufacturer is considerable compared to the slight increase in price. Moreover, customers value transparency in production locations and are often willing to pay a bit more if they trust the quality of your product.

4. Focusing on profit

Focusing on Profit If you’re starting a brand, do it out of love for your brand and fashion. Concentrate on your design, quality, and story rather than profit. Authenticity is everything; if you can convey a genuine sense of passion, people will recognize it. If you’re in it solely for the money, people will be able to tell.

5. Don’t get ahead of yourself

It’s crucial to dream big, but do it step by step. Start small, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Focus on 1–2 pieces that do a good job representing your brand and where it could go. Every drop/collection will teach you valuable lessons. Slow down and always supervise details. The more you try, the more you will learn from the mistakes. Also, ask questions! Stay hungry, stay foolish. It’s never too late to learn new things; you’ll meet many people willing to give you precious advice, but only if you ask!

Trust the process, you nailed it.

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Labwear Studios

Labwear Studios is a manufacturer for emerging fashion brands and creatives, made in Portugal, Europe. Revolutionizing manufacturing with sustainable solutions.