Starting a business in our current, constantly fluctuating, economic condition is not easy. Crowdfunding, however, makes it possible for many small brands to get off the ground. It’s also a great way to ensure that only products that are met with high demand get produced. Even established designers like Patrick Robinson (former Creative Director at Paco Rabanne and GAP and currently at Armani Exchange) have used the platform to fund new, innovative ventures. It’s a completely new way of doing business, and crowdfunding is here to stay.
Here are five great fashion-focused campaigns currently seeking funding through Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
METAmorph Dress by Thieves
The any (wear) answer to instant style and comfort.
This dress, created by environmentally conscious designer Sonja den Elzen of Canadian label Thieves, is made from sustainably sourced organic bamboo and can be worn at least 24 ways. The ingenious construction easily takes you from day to night and from one look to the next with just a simple tie of a knot or cinch of the waist.
There are five different colors to choose from, each connected with a charity, to which a portion of the proceeds is donated. Designed in a luxuriously soft organic bamboo with stretch jersey that morphs and drapes to retain the perfect fit and shapes to your body.
“The METAmorph dress is the ultimate wardrobe must have,” den Elzen says, “perfect for traveling, carrying you through all stages of pregnancy, as well as allowing bridesmaids to express their own unique style with one simple dress. Versatility is key, for dressing up or lounging in and the METAmorph dress provides simple, infinitely transformable style for any modern day woman.”
Amen.
The Indigogo Campaign runs through Dec. 31.
Custom Fit Sweaters, Ethically Made in America by Appalatch
The solution to bad sweaters.
Appalatch is a heritage inspired outdoor label founded by designers Mariano deGuzman and Grace Gouin. Their mission is to create a system that allows them to create 3D-printed sweaters fit that fit perfectly, are sustainably sourced and 100% made in America. Customers submit their measurements through the brand’s website. These are then put into a computerized knitting machine, which makes the sweater exactly to size — all in less than an hour. The factory is located in Asheville, NC, the Certified Organic cotton used is sourced from Texas and the wool comes from Montana. Sweet perks include sweaters and wool T-shirts for both women and men.
The Kickstarter Campaign runs through Dec. 6th
Upstate Stock – Men’s and Women’s Accessories Made in NY
Striving for 100% American Made in NY State.
Upstate Stock was born out of simple fact that American manufacturing of the highest quality is still out there, the same manufacturing from decades ago that is both at a standard that very few countries can match, but also affordable. The NY-based label is attempting to bring these goods into a market that they have never had access to in the past. The factory, located in upstate New York and 100% family-owned, has been making knit accessories since 1946, and has made items for both for the military and NYPD. Upstate Stock wants to “bring these amazing products to the contemporary market, giving the factory a new avenue for sales, and customers access to quality USA made goods.”
Successful funding will allow Upstate Stock to “expand sales to new markets with a proper budget for international tradeshows, a web store and new product development.”
The Kickstarter Campaign runs through Dec. 19
Megan Elise: Unique Custom Creations
Australian designer wants to make a one-of-a-kind dress, just for you.
To help start her small business, Australian designer Megan Elise is going to spend her summer making a limited series of one-off custom dresses and skirts for her Kickstarter supporters. The funds raised will help her purchase essential equipment, such as specialty sewing machines. Send her your measurements and tell her something about yourself and what you like that will help her design the perfect garment — just for you.
The Kickstarter Campaign runs through Dec. 18th
ReCORK: Carbon Negative Footwear
Upcycled wine corks make good shoes.
ReCORK — fittingly located in Napa, CA — wants to create the first-ever carbon negative shoes. They will do this by collecting and upcycling used wine corks. Cork is an incredibly versatile material, which functions as fabric or leather when thin and like rubber when thicker. It is also almost infinitely recyclable. The two styles — one for men and one for women — are functional and somewhat quirky.
We’d wear them, though. Especially if they smell like a good Napa Valley Cabernet.
The Kickstarter Campaign runs through Nov. 28
