12-WEEK FASHION
MENTORING academy
With our exclusive 12-week 1:1 mentoring program. Tailored for fashion start-ups committed to building a brand from the ground up, this program will empower you with the knowledge and strategic insights needed for success. The program consists of six personalised 1-hour calls, strategically crafted to guide you through crucial stages in establishing and developing your fashion business.
EMBARK ON A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY TO UNLOCK THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR CLOTHING BRAND.
Price £3000 + VAT
Deposit £750
Payment Plans Available (3-month installments)
Payment must be made prior to start date. No cancellations or refunds.
Start Date
February 2025
Taking Deposits Now £750
Pre-Week: Preparation for Discovery Call
Dream it
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Dream it 〰️
Before diving into the program's official Week 1, we want to ensure you get the most out of our upcoming Discovery Call. This pre-week is dedicated to preparing the groundwork, so our conversation is focused, productive, and tailored to your specific needs.
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Pre-Week Tasks:
Background Research:
• Familiarise yourself with successful fashion brands that resonate with you.
• Reflect on what aspects of these brands inspire you and align with your vision.Define Your Brand Vision:
• Clearly articulate your brand's long-term vision and short-term goals.
• Consider the emotions and experiences you want your brand to evoke.Target Audience Identification:
• Begin identifying your target market and customer persona.
• Think about who your ideal customer is, their preferences, and lifestyle.Gather Inspirations:
• Create a mood board or collection of images that capture the essence of your brand.
• Include colours, textures, and styles that resonate with your vision.Bonus Resources for Pre-Week:
• Mood Board Creation Guide:
Step-by-step instructions for creating a mood board that encapsulates your brand's aesthetic.Discovery Call Agenda:[30mins] During our upcoming Discovery Call, we'll discuss the following:
• Your brand's background and inspiration.
• Clarification of your vision, goals, and unique selling propositions.
• Initial discussions on brand identity and areas you'd like to focus on during the program.
• Pre booking our calls for each week of the programme.This pre-week will set the stage for a productive and insightful mentoring journey. If you have any questions or need assistance before the Discovery Call, feel free to reach out.
WEEK 2:
FOUNDATIONS OF YOUR BRAND - CRAFTING A COMPELLING BRAND STORY
INTRODUCTION TO BRANDING IDENTITY, LOGO, COLOUR, AND TYPOGRAPHY (1 HOUR).
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Defining Comprehensive Branding Elements:
Kick off our program by understanding the fundamental components of brand identity. We'll delve into branding identity, emphasising how it encompasses your logo, colour palette, and typography. Recognising the synergy between these elements is crucial for creating a cohesive and memorable brand identity that resonates with your target audience.
Crafting a Brand Story that Resonates:
In this session, we'll seamlessly integrate the elements of branding identity into the art of storytelling for your brand. Crafting a brand story goes beyond product descriptions; it creates a narrative that emotionally connects with your audience. We'll explore how your branding elements contribute to this narrative, making your brand relatable and engaging.
Building Emotional Connections through Storytelling:
• Utilising Branding Elements for Emotional Engagement:
• Discover how your branding identity, including the logo, color palette, and typography, can evoke emotions that resonate with your audience. Whether it's showcasing the design inspiration, the journey behind your brand, or the positive impact you aim to make.
Bonus Resources Integration:
• Brand Story Template and Mission Statement Guide Utilisation:
• Brand story template and mission statement guide.
• Brand Identity Template: Logo/ colour palette/ Typography/ Tone of Voice
Session Objectives:
Understanding Comprehensive Brand Identity:
• Define the synergy between branding elements such as logo, color, and typography.
• Recognise the role of branding identity in shaping customer perceptions.
Integrating Branding into Storytelling:
• Explore how branding elements contribute to crafting a compelling brand story.
• Understand the visual and emotional impact of cohesive brand identity in storytelling.
Next Steps:
Book in Week 4
WEEK 4: TARGET MARKET & COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TARGET MARKET (1 HOUR).
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Understanding Your Target Market:
Customer Persona Refinement:
During this session, we'll delve into a detailed analysis of your target market. Refining your customer personas will be a key focus, enabling you to gain a deeper understanding of your audience's needs, preferences, and behaviours. Through exercises and discussions, we'll work on creating detailed profiles that guide your marketing and product development strategies.
Market Segmentation Strategies:
Explore effective market segmentation strategies tailored to your brand. By identifying distinct segments within your target market, you'll be better equipped to tailor your products, messaging, and marketing channels to specific customer groups. Understanding the diversity within your audience helps in creating targeted and impactful marketing campaigns.
Competitor Analysis:
Identify and analyse your key competitors within the fashion industry. We'll discuss tools and methods for comprehensive competitor analysis, examining their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This process is crucial for identifying gaps in the market, differentiating your brand, and staying ahead of industry trends.
Positioning Your Brand:
Craft a unique value proposition that sets your brand apart from competitors. We'll explore strategies for effective brand positioning, ensuring that your target market recognises the distinctive qualities that make your brand compelling. Establishing a strong and differentiated position in the market is vital for attracting and retaining customers.
Bonus Resources:
Customer Persona Template:
• A structured template to guide you through the creation and refinement of detailed customer personas.
• Includes prompts for demographics, psychographics, and consumer behaviour.
Market Segmentation Guide:
• A guide to help you effectively segment your target market based on various criteria.
Competitor Analysis Framework:
• A comprehensive framework for analysing competitors, covering aspects like product offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies.
• Helps you systematically evaluate and benchmark against competitors.
Brand Positioning Worksheet:
• A worksheet to assist you in defining and refining your brand's unique positioning.
• Exercises to identify key differentiators and value propositions.
Session Objectives:
Customer Persona Refinement:
• Develop detailed and insightful customer personas.
• Understand the motivations and preferences of your target audience.
Market Segmentation Mastery:
• Explore effective segmentation strategies for targeted marketing.
• Tailor your products and messaging to specific customer segments.
Competitor Analysis Proficiency:
• Identify and analyse key competitors within the fashion industry.
• Gain insights into competitor strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning.
Brand Positioning Excellence:
• Craft a unique value proposition and positioning strategy.
• Develop a clear understanding of how your brand stands out in the market.
Post-Session Assignments:
Customer Persona Refinement:
• Further refine and develop your customer personas based on the session insights.
• Use the provided template to ensure comprehensive profiling for your target market.
Market Segmentation Implementation:
• Apply the discussed segmentation strategies to your marketing plans.
• Develop targeted approaches for different customer segments.
Competitor Analysis Report:
• Conduct a detailed analysis of your key competitors using the provided framework.
• Identify areas of opportunity and potential differentiation for your brand.
Brand Positioning Statement:
• Utilise the brand positioning worksheet to craft or refine your brand's unique positioning statement.
• Ensure alignment with your target market's needs and aspirations.
Next Steps:
Our next session will involve a thorough review of your refined customer personas, segmentation strategies, competitor analysis, and brand positioning. We'll work collaboratively to ensure that your brand is well-positioned to effectively target and capture your identified market segments. If you have any questions or need guidance before our next meeting, feel free to reach out.
WEEK 6:
DESIGN AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
GUIDANCE ON PRODUCT LINE CREATION (1 HOUR).
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Guidance on Product Line Creation:
Technical Pack Creations and What to Include:
Delve into the technical aspects of product development by understanding the creation of a comprehensive technical pack. We'll cover what elements to include in your technical pack, ensuring clear communication with manufacturers and minimising production issues. This critical step helps streamline the manufacturing process and ensures the accurate realisation of your design vision.
Tips on Creating a Unique Design Aesthetic Aligned with Your Brand:
Crafting a unique design aesthetic is crucial for brand recognition and customer loyalty. We'll discuss strategies to identify and solidify your design style, ensuring consistency across your product line. This session will guide you on how to infuse your brand's personality into every design, making it distinctive and memorable.
Bonus Resources:
Design Development Checklist for Product Ideation:
• A comprehensive checklist to guide you through the product ideation process.
• Technical Design Pack template and Guide.
CAD Templates for Sketching and Visualising Designs:
• Ready-to-use CAD templates and components to streamline the sketching and visualisation of your designs.
Session Objectives:
Strategic Product Line Development:
• Understand current market trends and consumer demands.
• Develop a strategy for a cohesive and marketable product line.
Technical Pack Mastery:
• Learn the components of an effective technical pack.
• Gain insights into what manufacturers require for seamless production.
Crafting a Unique Design Aesthetic:
• Identify and refine your brand's design aesthetic.
• Explore techniques to ensure consistency across your product range.
Post-Session Assignments:
Draft Technical Pack:
• Begin drafting a technical pack for one of your product designs.
• Utilise the provided checklist to ensure all essential details are included.
Sketch Using CAD Templates:
• Experiment with the CAD templates to sketch and visualise your design ideas.
• Explore how these templates can enhance your design presentation.
Next Steps:
Our next session will involve a review of your technical pack draft and design sketches. We'll refine and enhance your product development strategies, ensuring you're well-prepared to bring your designs to life. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or require assistance before our next meeting.
WEEK 8: sourcing strategies and supplier selection
SOURCING STRATEGIES & SUPPLIER SELECTION (1 HOUR).
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Sourcing Strategies and Supplier Selection:
In-Depth Exploration of Sourcing Quality Materials and Fabrics:
In this session, we'll conduct a detailed exploration of sourcing strategies, with a specific focus on securing high-quality materials and fabrics for your fashion line. We'll discuss different material options, their characteristics, and how to align them with your brand's aesthetic and values. Understanding the intricacies of materials is essential for producing garments that meet your standards and resonate with your target audience.
Supplier Practices and Industry Standards:
Navigate the complex landscape of supplier practices and industry standards to ensure that your fashion brand adheres to ethical and quality benchmarks. We'll delve into the key industry standards, compliance requirements, and sustainable sourcing practices, fostering a commitment to responsible and transparent production.
Effective Negotiation Techniques and Building Strong Supplier Relationships:
Learn the art of negotiation to secure favourable terms and build enduring relationships with suppliers. We'll cover negotiation strategies, communication tactics, and methods to establish a mutually beneficial partnership. Building strong relationships with suppliers is not only essential for cost-effective production but also contributes to the overall success and reputation of your brand.
Bonus Resources:
Supplier Guide:
• A comprehensive checklist to guide you through the evaluation of potential suppliers.
• Key criteria for assessing factors such as reliability, quality, and ethical practices.
• My top supplier contacts to connect with on your own.
• Full sourcing supplier guide to refer to with an queries along your process.
Session Objectives:
Strategic Sourcing Insights:
• Gain insights into different sourcing strategies and their applications.
• Understand the nuances of selecting quality materials that align with your brand.
Navigating Industry Standards:
• Familiarise yourself with industry standards and ethical sourcing practices.
• Ensure your brand adheres to responsible and transparent production methods.
Negotiation Mastery:
• Acquire effective negotiation techniques for favourable supplier terms.
• Learn how to build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.
WEEK 10:
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, PRICING, AND MARGINS
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, PRICING, AND MARGINS (1 HOUR )
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Product Development Strategies:
Innovative Product Ideation:
Explore creative techniques for generating innovative product ideas aligned with market trends and consumer preferences. We'll discuss strategies to differentiate your product offerings, incorporating feedback from previous sessions regarding design, materials, and customer personas. This session aims to inspire new concepts and refine existing ones for a dynamic and market-ready product line.
Sampling:
Learn effective sampling methods to bring your product concepts to life. We'll discuss the importance of testing prototypes for functionality, design appeal, and customer satisfaction.
Pricing and Margins Strategies:
Comprehensive Pricing Models:
Explore various pricing models and methodologies tailored to the fashion industry. We'll delve into cost-based pricing, value-based pricing, and competitive pricing strategies.
Understanding how to factor in production costs, overheads, and desired profit margins is crucial for setting competitive yet profitable prices for your products.
Margin Optimisation:
Learn how to optimise profit margins without compromising the perceived value of your products. We'll discuss strategies for negotiating with suppliers, optimising production processes, and creating value-added features to justify higher price points. Maximising margins is essential for sustaining and growing your fashion business in a competitive market.
Bonus Resources:
Product Development Checklist:
• A checklist to guide you through the product development process, ensuring key considerations are addressed.
• A comprehensive guide on prototyping and testing methods for fashion products.
• Templates to assist you in calculating product pricing and profit margins.
• Includes fields for production costs, overheads, and desired profit margins.
Session Objectives:
Innovative Product Ideation:
• Generate new product ideas or refine existing concepts.
• Understand the importance of creativity and market relevance in product development.
Prototyping Proficiency:
• Learn effective prototyping methods and testing strategies.
• Understand how to iterate and refine based on testing results.
Pricing Model Exploration:
• Explore various pricing models and methodologies.
• Gain insights into setting competitive yet profitable prices for your products.
Margin Optimisation Strategies:
• Learn strategies for optimising profit margins without compromising product value.
• Understand negotiation techniques for cost optimisation.
WEEK 12: PRODUCTION
OVERSEEING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS EFFICIENTLY (1 HOUR).
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In Week 12, we delve into the intricate world of production in the fashion industry. This session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the production process seamlessly, from placing orders to managing shipping and delivery.
Session Goals:
Understanding Production Stages:
Gain insight into the various stages of production in fashion, from initial design to final delivery.
Learn about the importance of each stage and how they contribute to the overall success of your brand.
Placing Orders:
Explore best practices for placing orders with manufacturers, including communication methods and order specifications.
Understand the importance of clear and concise communication to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Size Sets and Fits:
Learn about the significance of size sets and fitting sessions in the production process.
Photosamples and Bulk Approvals:
Discover the role of photosamples and bulk approvals in ensuring quality and consistency in production.
Learn how to review and approve photosamples and bulk production samples to maintain brand standards.
PPS Samples and SHS Samples:
Understand the purpose and significance of Pre-Production Samples (PPS) and Shipping Hanging Samples (SHS) in the production process.
Navigating Shipping and Delivery:
Gain insights into the complexities of shipping and delivery in the fashion industry, including logistics, customs, and import/export regulations.
Learn strategies for optimising shipping and delivery processes to minimise delays and costs.
VAT, Customs, and Compliance:
Understand the implications of VAT, customs duties, and compliance requirements when shipping goods internationally.
Learn how to navigate VAT registration, customs documentation, and compliance standards to ensure smooth and legal operations.
Resources:
A comprehensive template for creating professional and effective purchase orders.
A visual representation of the critical path for your product development and production.
A budgeting template tailored for fashion startups.
Cashflow template
Size Set and Fit Checklist
Photosample and Bulk Approval Checklist
Post-Session Assignments:
Develop a production timeline for your upcoming collections, including key milestones and deadlines.
Practice placing sample orders with manufacturers, ensuring clear communication and accurate specifications.
Conduct fitting sessions with size sets and evaluate the fit to make necessary adjustments.
Review and approve photosamples and bulk production samples, providing detailed feedback to manufacturers.
Familiarise yourself with shipping and delivery logistics, customs regulations, and compliance requirements relevant to your business.
READY TO TAKE
THE LEAP?
Book our 12-Week Fashion Mentoring Program now.
natasha@topazandcodesign.com
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Payment Terms:
A deposit of £750 plus VAT is required upon enrolment in the mentorship program.
The deposit is non-refundable.
Full payment of the remaining must be made before the commencement of the mentorship program.
The total amount of £3000 plus VAT is non-refundable.
Refund Policy:
Once payment is made, the mentorship fee is non-refundable due to the amount of work being developed.
Under certain circumstances and subject to availability, the course date may be pushed back. Any changes to course dates are at the discretion of The Fashion Design Studio.
Call Scheduling:
All mentoring calls will be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
There is no cancellation or rescheduling of mentoring calls due to mentor availability or other mentees' schedules.
Failure to attend a scheduled call will result in the loss of that week's call, but documents and resources will still be provided.
Results Disclaimer:
The results you experience from using our products and services depend on various influences and outcomes that are beyond our control.
These include, but are not limited to, the time you devote to the tasks set, your brand idea, research, and techniques used, your preexisting knowledge, budget, various skills, network, and financial situation.
While every effort is made to ensure we accurately represent the possible outcomes of using our products and services, you agree that The Fashion Design Studio is not responsible for the success of your brand or the success or failure of your personal or business decisions.
You are solely responsible for your results.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA):
If you prefer to protect your brand, we are willing to exchange Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to safeguard confidential information shared during the mentorship program.
Mentorship Contract:
A mentorship contract will be provided outlining the terms and conditions of the mentorship program, including the objectives, schedule, and responsibilities of both parties.
Supplier Recommendations:
We may provide you with recommendations for suppliers based on the niche of your product area.
However, we hold no responsibility in overseeing any developments or productions resulting from contacts provided. It is your responsibility to conduct due diligence and negotiate terms with suppliers.
Time Dedication:
If you fail to dedicate time to the set tasks and activities as outlined in the mentorship program, we hold no responsibility for the progress or outcome of the mentorship.
