13 Successful Clothing Brands & Entrepreneurs To Inspire You
There are millions of fashion and clothing brands around the world.
From small, niche brands run out of people's apartments to huge brands like Nike & Uniqlo, starting a clothing brand is a great business that requires minimal costs to get started.
In this list, you'll find real-world clothing line success stories and very profitable examples of starting a clothing line that makes money.
1. TomboyX ($24M/year)
Fran Dunaway, CEO and Co-Founder of TomboyX, came up with the idea for their gender-neutral underwear and loungewear company when they launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their button-up shirt production. However, they soon realized that the name "TomboyX" was resonating with a wide audience, leading them to pivot and focus on creating boxer briefs for women, which became their hero product. With consistent revenue growth of over 100% each year, TomboyX has become a successful and inclusive lifestyle brand.
How much money it makes: $24M/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 34
TomboyX, a gender-neutral clothing company, has consistently increased its revenue over 100% each year and expanded from zero employees to 15 in just two years by focusing on quality underwear and listening to customer feedback.
2. STOCK ($3.6M/year)
Jim Snediker, CEO of Stock Manufacturing Company, pivoted from high-end menswear to B2B uniforms after being approached by a Michelin-star restaurant in 2013. This strategic shift propelled their business to $3.4 million in revenue by 2023.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How many people on the team: 11
Case study on the transformation of a D2C menswear brand into a successful B2B uniform provider for hospitality industry giants, achieving revenue growth from $700k in 2019 to $3.4M in 2023, through strategic collaborations, product expansion, and community-driven initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Blvck Paris ($1.2M/year)
Julian O'hayon, the co-founder of Blvck Paris, came up with the idea for his business through his passion for minimalistic design and his success on Instagram showcasing black-themed images. After his photos of everyday items edited to be completely black went viral, Julian knew he wanted to create an all-black lifestyle brand, and thus Blvck Paris was born.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $80K
How many people on the team: 2
How a co-founder started an all-black lifestyle brand that grew to over 640k followers on Instagram and reached $100k/month revenue within 2 years.
4. Swoveralls ($1.2M/year)
Kyle Bergman, Founder of The Great Fantastic, came up with the idea for his business when he couldn't find sweatpant overalls online or in stores. After discovering a supplier on Alibaba and using Google's Keyword Search Planner to determine demand, he launched his brand and sold over $300k worth of his hero product, Swoveralls, in just 18 months.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How many people on the team: 10
Founder Kyle Bergman turned a personal problem into a viral apparel brand, generating over $300k in sales within 18 months through Amazon and his own website, and raising $108k through a Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign.
5. Hippy Feet ($1.06M/year)
While studying at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, the founder of Hippy Feet, Michael Mader, suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to work and provide for himself. Inspired by the support he received from his friends and family during his recovery, he decided to start a business that could act as a support group for individuals experiencing homelessness. This led to the creation of Hippy Feet, a sock and apparel company that provides transitional employment to homeless youth.
How much money it makes: $1.06M/year
How much did it cost to start: $30K
How many people on the team: 2
Hippy Feet, a Minneapolis-based sock and apparel company, has created jobs for over 160 individuals experiencing homelessness with a 6-month job readiness program and has grown 2020 revenue by 156% over 2019, using sustainable materials and practices while providing sales of custom, branded socks and apparel.
6. Local Laundry ($600K/year)
customers and community is more important than any dollar amount. Building genuine relationships and connections is key to success. Treating customers like real people and going above and beyond to exceed their expectations will lead to long-term loyalty and organic growth. Additionally, it's important to stay true to your values and make a positive impact. Local Laundry is committed to social and environmental responsibility, supporting Canadian charities, and manufacturing their garments in Canada.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 4
Local Laundry co-founders share how they built a million-dollar socially conscious Canadian-made clothing brand from the ground up, now with over five employees working full-time and a mission to donate a million dollars to Canadian charities by 2030.
7. Clever Travel Companion ($600K/year)
Johanna and her husband started the Clever Travel Companion after their own experiences with theft while traveling. They wanted to design products that would prevent other travelers from facing the same fate, and came up with the idea of creating clothing with secret zippered pockets to hide valuables. Their initial products were men and women's underwear, and they have since expanded their product line to include t-shirts, leggings, hoodies, dresses, and scarves. With $50,000-plus in monthly revenue, the Clever Travel Companion is successfully funding their travels and lifestyle.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How many people on the team: 2
The Clever Travel Companion's founders created a line of travel gear with hidden zippered pockets to prevent pickpocketing and loss of valuables and, after years of effort, have built a successful and profitable e-commerce business with $50,000+ in monthly sales that enables them to travel the world.
8. Sene ($480K/year)
Ray Li, the founder of Sene, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing the frustration of finding clothing that fit properly as a slim Asian guy. He wanted to create a luxury brand that offered custom-fit clothing instead of off-the-rack options. After experimenting with different formats and launching a flagship store in LA, Sene now uses data science to provide customers with a custom fit and has become a capital-efficient business with gross margins of 60-65%.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How many people on the team: 3
Sene founder Ray Li used data science to replace the tailor, developing custom-fit clothing's luxury experience with a digital platform for men and women, generating $800,000 annual recurring revenue through Shopify and adjusting marketing tactics to opt for influencer campaigns focusing on visual photo and video content.
9. Yoke Apparel Manufacturing ($276K/year)
Jesse James, the founder of Yoke Apparel Manufacturing, came up with the idea after noticing a lack of action among people with strong opinions on social issues. He and his wife decided to make a tangible difference by moving to Vietnam and starting a clothing manufacturing business that directly hires at-risk locals in vulnerable situations. Despite initial challenges, they have achieved automation and stability after just 2 years of operation, and they are now focused on driving growth and revolutionizing the clothing industry.
How much money it makes: $276K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 30
Yoke Apparel Manufacturing is a comprehensive clothing manufacturing service specializing in low minimum order quantities, with an international customer base generating an average monthly revenue of $23,000 and managing to reach a 24% operating profit.
10. Choast ($60K/year)
Choast was founded by Joseph and Gianfranco, who bonded over their love for smoking weed and wanted to create a brand that welcomed all stoners. After a year of subconscious preparation and the word "Choast" spreading rapidly through high schools and colleges in Ontario, they decided to start a cannabis brand. Their catchy logo, quality products, and social media marketing strategies have helped them become one of the most well-known brands in the Toronto area, making $5,000 per month.
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 5
Choast, a cannabis apparel and smoking accessories brand, has made a name for itself in Toronto and the cannabis niche, generating $5,000 per month through taking an audience of marijuana users built by creating memes and turning it into a clothing and accessories brand.
11. Chemo Cozy ($36K/year)
Ellen Hamilton came up with the idea for Chemo Cozy after her late husband, Greg, went through chemotherapy and realized the need for accessible and comfortable clothing for patients. They launched with a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $30k in 30 days, and now have customers in all 50 states and internationally. They have three online stores and have managed to sustain the business without outside funding.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 0
Chemo Cozy is a company that produces fashionable and functional clothing for cancer patients during treatments, launching through a Kickstarter campaign that raised $30k in 30 days and now operates through their website, Etsy, and Amazon stores, with customers in all 50 states and internationally.
12. Blue Skies & Ko ($12K/year)
Katlyn, the founder of Blue Skies & Ko Boutique, started her business after rediscovering her love for crafting. She initially began hand stamping jewelry as a hobby and started an Instagram account to share her creations. After receiving custom order requests and participating in a local small business event, she realized the potential to turn her crafting hobby into a profitable business. With a focus on positivity and personalized jewelry, Katlyn launched Blue Skies & Ko Boutique, doubling her income within a few months and expanding her customer base across the United States.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 1
Blue Skies & Ko Boutique owner turned her crafting hobby into a profitable jewelry and clothing boutique with just $2,000, doubling her income within just a few short months, and offers advice on building a brand through social media, email marketing, and expanding product offerings.
13. Ishihara Design ($12K/year)
Paul, the founder of Ishihara Design, came up with the idea for his clothing brand while he was on his way to Japan with no plans or money. With a focus on music, he capitalized on his relationships with musician friends to launch a brand that resonated with a specific niche of customers. Through hard work and determination, he designed, prototyped, and manufactured his first collection, which led to a successful launch event and $1,000 in sales within the first few hours. Today, the brand continues to make around $1,000 per month, showcasing the power of focus and resourcefulness in building a profitable business.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $350
How many people on the team: 0
Learn how one founder started a passive income clothing brand that brings in $1,000/month, through focusing on a specific niche market and leveraging relationships with friends, and the importance of efficient financing and focusing on customer engagement to drive sales.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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