International Accelerator Programme : Estonia
VolumeS 1 & 2
Exclusive Training Programmes for Estonian Fashion & Accessories Designers
Featuring Top International Industry Experts
Two dedicated programmes of MASTERCLasses by international experts
enabling fashion and accessories designers to build sustainable successful businesses
International Accelerator ProgrammeS : Estonia
Fashion Scout, the award winning international platform, is renown globally for empowering and showcasing the future of fashion. Based in London, Fashion Scout delivers showcases and business development programmes around the world.
The International Accelerator Programmes to empower Estonian Fashion Designers were created in collaboration with Enterprise Estonia (EAS) and fashionavant. Following the acclaimed success of the launch programme in 2021 the EAS commissioned a second programme for 2022.
The programmes were created for all Estonian designers, from clothing to jewellery, leather goods and footwear, for established and emerging designers (minimum 2 years trading).
Each featured eight sessions from international industry leaders and was carefully crafted to give valuable practical advice that could be implemented directly and immediately into fashion businesses.
Selected designers also had the opportunity to be promoted on Fashion Scout’s social media channels - reaching tens of thousands of followers around the world.
A total of 58 designers and entrepreneurs participated in in the two programmes
“The whole program exceeded my expectations with really engaged speakers who shared their valuable tips, often personal, and insights so freely with the participants. “
“Martyn is an amazing host, who created supportive and inspiring environment connecting industry's professionals (speakers) and audience in a very unique way. “ Designer participant
International Experts.
Our exclusive network of experts each have years of extensive practical experience, including Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, London Fashion Week, Erdem, London College of Fashion, Royal College of Art and many more. They have trained hundreds of designers around the world and are leaders in their fields.
Subjects covered include growing and developing businesses internationally, trend forecasting, positioning and adding value to brands, B2B and B2C sales strategies, range planning, costing and pricing and building social media communities.
Dates and Applications.
Eight x 90 minute digital sessions were held in 2021, with the second programme running in 2022.
Applications were open to all fashion and accessories businesses based in Estonia (minimum of 2 years trading). 58 designers were selected
“Excellent programme. Wish we'd had opportunity to hear all this 4 years ago as it would have saved us thousands of euros.” Designer participant
“It was absolutely professional programme. A success! Well Done! Thank you once again!” Designer participant
Vol. 2 Schedule.
Session 1 : International Case Study : Anna October
Anna founded her label in 2010 and is stocked internationally in more than 30 stores including Moda Operandi and Harvey Nichols. She has been shortlisted for the LVMH Prize and, with over 10 years in business, has a wealth of experience and advice in sustainable international development.
Session 2 : Growing and Developing Your Business, Attracting Investors, Calculating Costs and Maximising Profits
In this masterclass, our expert enabled the designers to understand the importance of costings and its affect on pricing and profit. It covered fashion product for traditional retail and wholesale business models, as well as touching on other business models. The designers learnt how to price their products appropriate to their markets, the range of methodologies for accurately costing fashion product so that everything is included, and advice on how to make improvements to profit margins.
Our expert for this Masterclass has over 20 years industry experience and has mentored over 100 designer brands including Mary Katranzou, Erdem, JW Anderson, Craig Green, Simone Rocha and Peter Pilotto. Her areas of expertise include strategic business planning and finance management, as well as being an expert in fashion business models. She has advised designers in Germany, Spain, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.
Session 3 : Strategic Brand Positioning and Increasing Brand Value
The focus of this masterclass was to analyse the process of strategically positioning brands in the market place and the primary methods employed to do this. The session explored how to analyse the market place and the brands’ core demographics, whilst applying creative and appropriate value adding strategies, all within the context of the marketing mix. The Masterclass featured real life examples as points of reference , all of which contrasting propositions to illustrate various marketing/value adding strategies within a “real life” context.
Our international expert’s portfolio of clients over the past 15 years includes retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Sauce in Dubai as well as brand managing and developing luxury brands - playing an instrumental role in establishing unique brand positioning, USP and strategic growth in the marketplace.
Session 4 : Range Planning & Strategic Pricing
An insight into the range planning process and how it can benefit fashion and accessories brands. Consideration was given to what constitutes a well-balanced, commercial range, and the importance of achieving the five rights when range planning for both the local & the international market. The Masterclass explored how this will impact on production and strategic planning.
With extensive experience as a fashion buyer and brand developer in the UK, Europe and Asia, our expert consults for small to medium sized businesses on their range planning, sourcing, stock mix, retailing strategies and is credited with the successful launch of a number brands that trade globally. She also lectures at London College of Fashion on International Fashion Management.
Session 5 : Sustainability, Sustainable Production and Sourcing
This masterclass explored how a designer can source their products in a sustainable manner, from fibre choices through to packaging and production and what a financially sustainable business might look like from a costing and production management perspective. Essential documentation used in the production process including tech packs, BOMS and costing sheets, and different delivery and payment terminology explained to help the designers to understand how best to talk with suppliers in their day to day negotiations.
Our expert has over 10 years first hand experience of working directly with manufacturers, fabric suppliers, PR and sales agents, specialising in sustainability. He now operates as a textile production and sourcing consultant working with clients including Christopher Raeburn and Oliver Spencer.
Session 6 : International Case Study : Tatty Devine
With over 300 stockists worldwide Tatty Devine is the go-to brand for original, fun, acrylic statement jewellery. The brand was founded in the heart of East London by Harriet Vine MBE and Rosie Wolfenden MBE. All jewellery is still designed and handmade in house by a female led team. They often collaborate with artists, designers, and their favourite cultural spaces to create special collections throughout the year. All of Tatty Devine’s collections are sold online and in their store in Covent Garden, London.
Session 7 : International Sales and Buyer Relationships
Providing designers valuable insights this masterclass explored how brands best attract the attention of buyers, and outlined best practice when meeting with buyers. Our expert discussed wholesale selling avenues and the role of third-party showrooms, agents and international trade fairs, and the pro’s and con’s associated to each. The Masterclass focussed on key selling and communication tools such as look books, imagery, pricing sheets etc. Buying terms were explained and an insight given as to the buyer’s role.
Our expert is a fashion consultant with over 30 years experience in high fashion retail including Buyer at Harvey Nichols and Head Buyer at Liberty - where she championed Alexander McQueen, Dries van Noten, Issey Miyake and Margiela. She currently runs her own showroom during London and Paris Fashion Weeks and regular lectures at London’s top fashion universities.
Session 8 : Digital Marketing, Social Media and Building an Online Community
This marketing masterclass focussed on how to develop a winning integrated promotion strategy for fashion and accessories brands, starting with understanding their target audience and creating a strong, engaging and overarching brand message tailored to them. Topics covered included how to communicate effectively with audiences via direct marketing, creating an influencer marketing strategy and building and leveraging social media presence.
Following her five year tenure as Global Press and Marketing Manager at Erdem, our expert has built her own successful company offering brand, PR and marketing strategy development, content creation, digital marketing and social media management, community management and influencer outreach, campaign production and event production (including conceptualization).
“I loved the different areas that were covered and this was extremely helpful. Starting from prices and social media to covering all aspects of branding and marketing.” Designer participant
“This knowledge will definitely help me to run the company better and improve the results.” Designer participant
“This exclusive opportunity for Estonian designers is brought to you by fashionavant and Fashion Scout, and is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.”
— Martyn Roberts, Creative Director, Fashion Scout
This Project Is Supported By the European Regional Development Fund