DFI (New Zealand)  If you are a committed, talented designer eager to start your own business, or want assistance in growing an existing one, then the Dunedin Fashion Incubator can help. They provide the kind of industry specific assistance that can really make a difference. The Dunedin Fashion Incubator (DFI) is a non-profit organisation, established July 2001, to help emerging fashion designers into business, stimulate entrepreneurial activity and encourage small business growth to the benefit of the Dunedin economy. The Dunedin Fashion Incubator provides comprehensive facilities and services, to help you through the myriad of issues and problems that can beset new ventures, and in so doing, enhance your chances of business success, with the end goal being for designers to leave the Incubator with a successful, viable fashion business.

Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI) [Los Angeles]  Fashion Business Inc. (501c3) provides California's apparel entrepreneurs with the resources and training to turn their vision into a profitable reality. The FBI Resource Center along with their website and business partners offers their members industry specific business & compliance education, sourcing, networking and marketing and consulting services. These services promote the success of FBI members and insure the future vibrancy of California's fashion industry. It is the goal of the FBI to make said services available at low or no cost to it’s members. Providing professional development, mentoring, business and management training to owners and prospective owners of small apparel businesses. Offering opportunities for networking and introductions to industry services, resources, suppliers and products. Marketing and promotion of members' products. Creating a common ground for the diverse sectors of the Los Angeles Apparel Industry to join together for their mutual benefit. Creating a crossroads of manufacturers and contractors. Supporting and reinforcing downtown as the center of the Apparel Industry in Southern California through real estate location services. Enhancing employment and tax revenues through the growth of small businesses.

Fashion Design Council (FDCI) - India : Under its aegis, the FDCI will represent the interests of fashion designers. It will nurture the growth of this industry, help develop the needs of the industry, and provide a platform for Indian fashion designers. The Indian Fashion Industry, in international terms is embryonic. Expansion and awareness of the industry in India has leapt multifold in the last ten or twelve years of its existence. As the opportunities for designers grow and develop so will the need for such a council in India. Fashion Design Councils or Associations exist in all the primary fashion centers of the world. These councils were established to provide support and to benefit this vastly expanding and lucrative industry. In London, there is the British Fashion Council, in New York, the CFDA, and in Paris there is the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-a-porter des Couturiers et des Createurs de Mode. The FDCI will form a cohesive platform for designers. Create representations between its members and related governmental bodies, retailers and manufacturers thereby making the supply chain a smoother process. The council will conceptualize market trends and coordinate with manufacturers and retailers for the development of fabrics, prints etc.

Fashion-Enter is a dedicated not for profit company that has been created to provide fashion designers with all they need to succeed.  Based on the last five years of work with the London Fashion Forum (LFF) Jennifer Holloway, Director Fashion-Enter Ltd, decided to continue the excellent work of the LFF when the funding from the London Development Agency expired in March 2006.  Jennifer commented "The concept of the LFF was an excellent support mechanism for today's industry.  Its remit was for all sectors of the Clothing and Textile Industry and it embarked on some excellent iniatitives such as the Profile fashion event, FashionCapital, Delivery Day, Dealing Direct and many more. When the LFF was drawing to a close they found that they had a strong following from designers in particular and they were constantly requested to continue support for this sector."
Fashion-enter does not replicate any of the projects from the LFF; it has a clear objective of providing specialist support from a wide cross section of business areas for designers from Access to Finance to an on-line boutique, from printing to custom made web design; in total there are 15 specialists on the site that are there to help designers at all levels of their business.

Fashion HQ (New Zealand) Fashion HQ is Wellington’s first and only apparel sector incubator.  It supports up to ten creative enterprises that have potential for rapid financial growth. Fashion HQ is looking to recruit companies from the wider apparel sector who have a clear vision and are passionate and committed to growing their business. Their vision is to be the most successful developer of high growth apparel businesses in New Zealand.  Their mission is to enable apparel start up businesses to be successful in the national and global economy by providing best practice business support and quality infrastructure.

Garment Industry Development Center (GIDC) [New York] The Garment Industry Development Corporation is a non profit organization established in 1984 by the City of New York, The Garment Workers' Union (now UNITE HERE!), and the New York Skirt & Sportswear Association to strengthen New York City's apparel industry.  The GIDC has evolved into a multi-tiered service organization providing marketing, buyer referrals, training and technical assistance to New York apparel manufacturers and workers.  They assist to help match designers and brand label developers meet NYC's high quality garment manufacturers.

London Apparel Resource Center (London A.R.C) : the premier facility for talented young designers starting out with a driving ambition to make their unique mark on the world of international fashion.  London A.R.C will give you the tools, show you the ropes, guide you to the path of success, and expose your creativity to the people who matter, Manufacturers, Retailers, C.M.T Factories.  They provide grants, training, work studios, CAD facilities and more.

The Melbourne Design and Fashion Incubator  The Melbourne Design and Fashion Incubator (MDFI) is a not-for-profit organisation built on the need to grow and nurture young designers; to transpose them into successful businesses and business people with customer following and provide assistance as they compete locally and globally. MDFI was established in June 2001 and is the first and only design and fashion Incubator in Australia and is one of only five in the world. It is currently located on Level 4 of the Melbourne Central building and comprises: A Retail Gallery which showcases and sells MDFI designers’ wares; Studio and working space for designers; and A wide range of facilities for designers.   Melbourne Design and Fashion Incubator assists designers through its core services of Mentoring, Research and Development tools, and training; Selling and marketing avenues – particularly selling designers’ ranges through the MDFI Retail Gallery and wholesale and other retailers; Studio facilities (as required); Equipment, including: cutting tables, sewing machines etc; and A sense of community and support between designers and MDFI’s team.
 

If you are interested in fashion and the fashion industry, you may need more information.  The fashion incubators are very helpful resources, but you may also want to check out a few of our other fashion industry websites.  From these sites, you can find fashion jobs, read fashion industry news, locate fashion design resources etc.

Clothing Industry Jobs
Designer Search 
Clothing Model Directory
Clothing Model Portfolios
Fashion Week Photos
Fashion Books
Apparel Magazines
Only Clothing
Clothing B2B
Fashion Job Search
Fashion Industry Buyers

Do you have a small fashion business?  If you need to gain additional exposure, you can check out the Fashion Press Release website.  Also, if you are not listed in the Apparel Search directory, you should certainly do so.  You can find the link to "add your company" from the bottom of any of our pages.  You can also add your fashion business at our new directory site called the Clothing Industry Directory.

Do not forget to join us for fashion industry discussions at the Fashion Industry Network.

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