6 Mistakes to avoid as a Fashion Brand Startup. Things I Wish Every First Time Fashion Brand Knew Before Starting

Let’s save your future self from a few meltdowns...

I’ve worked with a lot of fashion brands in the early stages — all full of passion, excitement, and wild fashion dreams. Some of them made it and some didn’t.

This was supposed to be a “Top 5 Mistakes” list… but let’s be real: the longer I sit here and write, the more I could add. So let’s cap it at 6 Mistakes to avoid as a Fashion Brand Startup (for now) — or this short blog will turn into a novel.

1. Designing Only What You Like (Without Knowing Your Customer)

Just because you dress well or you're a fashionista doesn’t mean you can run a fashion brand. I worked with a founder who had incredible personal style .. but her designs weren’t grounded in any strategy. She produced thousands of pieces with no real market research, and in the end, her buyers were mostly friends and family.

Your taste matters — but your customer matters more. Start small. 

Do your research. Don’t be afraid to call yourself a creative director and hire a real designer if that’s what your brand needs. Ego has no place in early-stage product development. And again, research. Find your customer.

We have a whole blog and video about finding your niche and your customer persona. Read it, watch it...Its important.

2. Chasing Trends Instead of Owning Your Voice

Trends are easy. Personality takes guts.

Copying what’s trending might seem like a shortcut, but by the time you’ve produced your version, the world’s already moved on. And with so many brands out there, looking the same is the last thing you want.

What people want is something real. Something with soul. Something that only you can create. So sure, get inspired by whats out there and whats trending. But stay rooted in what makes your brand different, not what’s already popular.

Your brand wont stand out if you're just copying. That product is already available in the market. Create something new and create something with a sprinkle of YOU.

I will be creating a video on how to get your personality out and find your unique voice so make sure to subscribe to our mailing list so we can let you know when it's launched.

3. Rushing the Process (and Skipping the Steps)

Fashion takes time — and skipping the “boring” parts is where things fall apart.

I’ve seen clients rush sampling, production, skip fabric testing, and throw thoooouuuusands into manufacturing without checking if the factory was even reliable. The result?

Zippers that fall apart. Wrong sizes. Ripped seams. Wrong fabric composition ... Entire collections gone to waste.

Those “extra 2-3 weeks” for quality control or lab testing could save you thousands. Go slow. Do it right the first time.

4. Hiring the Cheapest Help

Trying to build a high-quality brand on the lowest budget possible is a guaranteed headache.

I’ve worked with founders who wanted a premium brand, but sourced the cheapest designers, pattern makers, and factories they could find. Spoiler: it didn’t work. Poor communication, bad fit, wrong fabrics — and no clue how to fix it.

If you’re not ready to invest, take the time to learn. Or, better yet, hire experienced professionals who can guide you. Because “cheap” help almost always ends up costing more.

I collaborated with a couture brand who hired a "cheap" designer online. The designer created and delivered a glamorous collection. Months later when I came in and did some research we realized its ALL plagiarized..every single detail was a copy. What happened? The brand had to scratch the whole collection and lost thousands of dollars.

The designers fee was cheap but then everything else wasn't.. the patterns,the fabrics, the crystals, the tailors.. list goes on.

5. Not Learning the Basics of the Industry

You don’t need to be a fashion expert — but you do need to know enough to lead.

That means understanding what a tech pack is. Knowing what MOQ means. Realizing that sampling takes time and that fabrics don’t magically appear overnight.

If you don’t learn the basics, you won’t know how to ask the right questions — and you’ll either waste money or get taken advantage of. Just a little knowledge makes a huge difference.

6. Thinking Fashion is a Fast Money-Making Machine

Let me repeat what I tell every client: FIVE. YEARS.

That’s how long it takes to build a brand that actually has traction.

Year one? You’re not making profit — you’re hoping to break even.

That’s when your biggest costs come in: branding, website, samples, first-time mistakes. (hopefully not the ones on this list)

Year two? You’re still investing. You’re figuring out your customer, testing what sells, building trust.

Fashion is not a shortcut to fast money. It’s a long-term commitment.

 So set your expectations. And repeat after me: Five. Years.

Final Words:

Fashion is magical, but it’s also demanding. If you’re serious about building something real — not just hype — you need clarity, patience, and strategy. That could be point 7 honestly.. Brands who start with no plan and no strategy. Read our blog on business plans and avoid that one too.

Mistakes will happen. That’s okay. But if you can avoid these, you’ll be in a much stronger place.

And if you’re looking for guidance through it all? That’s what we do at ModaMinds — from design development and production management to mentorship and business strategy.

Let’s make sure your brand doesn't just launch — it lasts.