37 Fashion Designers Success Stories
Fashion designers are creative people who come up with new designs for clothes, footwear, accessories, and other items that people wear. They figure out what materials to use, what colors will look best together, and how to make sure that each piece looks good on a variety of body types.
As a fashion designer, you have the opportunity to create something new and exciting.
Tips on how to become successful:
- Understand the fashion industry
- Develop and master the needed skills
- Start with a vision for your brand and know your brand inside-out
- Create a plan for how that vision will be executed
- Don't skimp on marketing or promotions
Here are some real life stories on becoming a successful fashion designer:
1. Cotilda's Fashion Limited ($13.7K/year)
Cotilda Makhumula-Nkhoma, the founder of Cotilda.com, came up with the idea for her African-inspired fashion brand after relocating to the United Kingdom from Malawi. Wanting to blend in with the culture while still embracing her roots, she created Cotilda to encourage people to create their own style and identity through clothing. With the support of Teesside University and her parents, Cotilda was able to turn her business idea into a reality.
How much they make: $13.7K/year
Current team size: 0
Cotilda Makhumula-Nkhoma's online clothing business, COTILDA.COM, was kickstarted by the FUEL program at Teesside University, and has since had features in British Vogue and appeared on ITV News, with trade shows working well as an offline tool to retain customers.
2. Sleeves 2 Go ($27.6K/year)
Susan Costanza, the designer and founder of Sleeves 2 Go, came up with the idea for the attachable flutter sleeve after hearing women's frustrations with sleeveless garments. She saw a gap in the market for a fashionable and lightweight solution that could provide coverage and style to the upper arms. Through extensive research, designing, and finding the right manufacturer, she was able to bring her prototype to production and launch an online store to sell her innovative product. She also utilized her background in fashion show coordination to market and sell Sleeves 2 Go at events and trade shows, eventually expanding into wholesale and retail distribution.
How much they make: $27.6K/year
Current team size: 1
Sleeves 2 Go creates attachable flutter sleeves for women to mix and match beautifully with different types of garments, offering stylish coverage of upper arms of any size or age while simultaneously creating an easy fashion fix-it solution for our everyday wardrobe needs.
Learn more about starting a fashion designer:
Where to start?
-> How much does it cost to start a fashion designer?
-> Pros and cons of a fashion designer
Need inspiration?
-> Examples of established fashion designer
-> Marketing ideas for a fashion designer
Other resources
3. Absolute Fitness Apparel ($7.8K/year)
Anthony Mellor, founder of Absolute Fitness Apparel, was inspired to start his fitness-fashion brand after being influenced by fitness influencer Christian Guzman. With no prior business or fashion experience, Mellor embarked on a trial and error process to build his brand, focusing on quality content and optimizing his website for mobile use. Despite currently operating at a loss, Mellor has plans to expand his team and focus on incorporating innovation, practicality, and value into every garment.
How much they make: $7.8K/year
Current team size: 0
Absolute Fitness Apparel is an online based fitness-fashion brand in the UK that successfully launched 5 lines with 2.11% conversion rate, 1.6k average monthly traffic, and £43.50 average sale by focusing on influencer and affiliate marketing, SEO, Facebook ads, high-quality content, and mobile-optimized ecommerce platform.
4. OceanZen ($300K/year)
The founder's passion for marine life led her to notice the environmental impact of plastic waste and fishing nets during her travels. Through extensive research, she found a sustainable way to dispose of these materials and established a swimwear company that uses fabric made from the waste.
How much they make: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
OceanZen is a successful sustainable swimwear brand that has manufactured and sold thousands of bikinis worldwide, after being launched by Steph with only $5000 in her final year at university.
5. Lazyjack Press ($252K/year)
The idea for a prep brand came to Miriam while she was attending her alma matter during Law school, and happened to notice tacky looking ties that were worn by the students. Shocked to see they were made by reputed brands, she did some research and was instantly connected with the idea, even without a background in fashion.
How much they make: $252K/year
Current team size: 0
Lazyjack Press, a luxury men's accessories brand, offers high-quality, Italian silk ties, pocket squares, bow ties, and socks with uniquely named designs and a focus on fun, appealing to audiences of all ages, and is primarily sold through trade shows and pop-up shops.
6. Tini Lux ($264K/year)
Jackie Burke, founder of Tini Lux, came up with the idea for her business after struggling to find fashionable earrings that wouldn't cause allergic reactions. After discovering a woman selling basic titanium studs, Burke realized there was a market for skin-friendly earrings and decided to design her own line of titanium earrings. Despite initially launching Tini Lux as a side hustle, Burke has seen steady growth in her business and has gained a loyal following of customers who are finally able to wear earrings again.
How much they make: $264K/year
Current team size: 1
Tini Lux is a profitable e-commerce fashion business that provides a line of fashion earrings specifically for women with metal allergies that has gained a loyal following from its target demographic of women aged 18-45 in 15 months since launching.
7. Happily Ever Borrowed ($60K/year)
Brittany Finkle, the founder of Happily Ever Borrowed, came up with the idea for her business after witnessing the high cost and poor quality of bridal accessories. Realizing that brides needed a more affordable and luxurious option, she launched an e-boutique that rents out high-end designer accessories for a fraction of the retail price. With over 100% growth each year and plans for expansion, Happily Ever Borrowed is revolutionizing the way brides accessorize for their wedding day.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 1
Luxury e-boutique Happily Ever Borrowed rents bridal accessories to brides for their special day, offering high-end designer accessories for around 80-90% off retail prices.
8. Joah Love ($468K/year)
After working in fashion design and noticing a lack of cute and stylish clothing options for kids, Ahyoung Kim Stobar and her friend Joy decided to start their own children's clothing brand, Joah Love. They focused on creating high-quality, timeless pieces that would be comfortable for kids to wear and easy for parents to care for. Over the years, Joah Love has gained a loyal customer base and plans to expand its offerings, including launching a line for adults and incorporating sustainability into their brand.
How much they make: $468K/year
Current team size: 7
Joah Love is a children's lifestyle clothing brand that generates over $40,000 a month through its direct-to-consumer website, and has plans to expand to Europe and Asia, while also prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity for children with special needs.
9. Love Is Project ($2.4M/year)
Love is Project founder, Chrissie Lam, started her business after leaving a career in corporate fashion. Inspired by the Maasai tribe's vibrant colors, she designed a simple LOVE bracelet with the goal of creating jobs for their community. A viral social media campaign, celebrity endorsements, and partnerships with American Eagle Outfitters and Whole Foods helped the brand gain traction, and they have since generated over $1.2 million in revenue.
How much they make: $2.4M/year
Current team size: 2
Love Is Project generated over $1.2 million in revenue by utilizing a "Pay It Forward" business model, creating 1,200+ jobs for female artisans around the world, and utilizing storytelling to attract and retain customers.
10. Desires by Mikolay ($3.44M/year)
Tara Mikolay, co-founder of Desires by Mikolay, came up with the idea to open a designer jewelry showroom when her husband, a classically trained bench jeweler, expressed his dream to start his own business. With Tara's support, they self-funded the venture and worked tirelessly to build the business from the ground up. Today, Desires by Mikolay is thriving and known as one of Westchester County's premier jewelers and design shops, with a brick and mortar store and a successful online presence.
How much they make: $3.44M/year
Current team size: 7
Desires by Mikolay, a luxury jewelry brand offering a quality selection of custom design and fine jewelry, tripled its brick and mortar since starting in 2005 and now receives orders from all over the US online, after building an authentic brand with passionate owners.
11. Jamie Clawson ($48K/year)
Jamie Clawson, founder of Jamie Clawson, came up with the idea for their leather products business after losing their job and learning to use a laser cutter through a friend. They started by making premium leather iPhone skins and expanded their product line as sales grew. Now, they design and manufacture their products in New York City, using a hybrid of old-fashioned techniques and cutting-edge technology.
How much they make: $48K/year
Current team size: 1
A designer founded a leather manufacturing business which started as a one-person operation, costs were kept low by making products to order and the most cost-effective way of attracting and retaining new customers was through email and newsletters.
12. LoveLornLingerie ($62.9K/year)
Jessica Ding, the founder of Love Lorn Lingerie, started her business on a whim after making a few leather designs and selling them on Etsy. Fast forward a few years, and her side hustle is now a self-sufficient business, providing her with extra income and a creative outlet. Jessica sources materials herself, designs all the products, and handles marketing, leveraging platforms like Instagram and in-person events to attract and retain customers.
How much they make: $62.9K/year
Current team size: 0
Love Lorn Lingerie started as a side hustle and now generates $1.9k per month in revenue through Etsy and local events, with plans to expand into wholesale and increase marketing efforts to eventually replace the founder's day job.
13. I Love Ugly ($3.6M/year)
Valentin Ozich, the Founder of I Love Ugly, started the men's premium streetwear brand in 2008 with zero experience in business or fashion. He identified a gap in the market for high quality, affordable streetwear catered to men and sold primarily online. Despite setbacks and his lack of skills at the beginning, Ozich was determined to succeed and turned his idea into a multi-million dollar business.
How much they make: $3.6M/year
Current team size: 20
This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.
14. DEAL WITH DEVIL ($7.8K/year)
Lachlan Sonter started his luxury streetwear brand, Deal with Devil, in 2017 as a way to cope with his mental state and release his emotions. He began by designing and sewing his own garments, and eventually found a manufacturer to mass-produce his designs. Since launching, Sonter has seen success in retaining customers, but is working on attracting new ones through social media marketing and content creation. While the brand is not yet profitable, Sonter is optimistic about the future and is determined to stay true to the brand's identity.
How much they make: $7.8K/year
Current team size: 1
Australian Lux Streetwear brand, Deal with Devil, was created by Lachlan Sonter as an outlet for his mental state, and has since become a popular brand, with its black long sleeve crewneck being the highest-selling garment.
15. CODDI ($24K/year)
Matthew Walters, founder of CODDI, came up with the idea for his boot company after years of experience in footwear design and a desire to create a boot that combined both performance and style. After a successful Kickstarter campaign raising over $61,000, he launched his website and utilized free marketing to attract customers.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 1
CODDI, a boot company based in Chicago, raised just over $61k on Kickstarter and made $2.5k in sales in June, $2k in sales in July, and another $2k in August, all while utilizing free marketing methods like Instagram and Facebook posts to build a community before their website launch.
16. Short Steve Button Downs ($60K/year)
Steve Radke, Founder and CEO of Short Steve Button Downs, came up with the idea for his business when he realized there was a lack of comfortable, breathable short sleeve button down shirts on the market. After Googling how to make a shirt and working with a manufacturing company, he created a sample and found factories in New York to produce his products. He launched his business before Memorial Day Weekend, and is currently making $5,000/month in revenue.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 1
Short Steve Button Downs is a New York-based online retailer that specializes in producing high-quality short sleeve button down shirts (SSBDs) out of soft, breathable performance fabric; the company, which launched in May 2019, is currently making about $5,000 per month in revenue.
17. Mahiya ($1.04M/year)
Ryan and Alex Hutchinson started Mahiya, a bohemian leather accessories label, after Ryan agreed to help Alex with her new concept for unique designs. With an initial investment of $20k and the use of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, they quickly gained traction and now average $75,000 in sales per month through their website, showroom, and worldwide boutique wholesalers. They have plans to expand into the Japanese market and continue creating new designs.
How much they make: $1.04M/year
Current team size: 1
Australian-based fashion accessories label Mahiya sees an average of $75,000 in sales each month through its website, showroom, and boutique wholesaler customers, after husband-and-wife team Ryan and Alex Hutchinson invested AUD20,000 ($13,462) and started working from their bedroom in 2013.
18. Nimble Made ($60K/year)
Tanya Zhang, co-founder of Nimble Made, came up with the idea for their D2C e-commerce menswear brand after observing the struggles of her co-founder Wesley Kang in finding a well-fitting dress shirt for his slim build. They created their own unique, actually-slim sizing based on height and weight and launched the business in late 2018, reaching $40k in revenue in their first year. Their mission is to increase Asian American Pacific Islander representation in fashion by offering slim-fit dress shirts that actually fit off-the-rack.
How much they make: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
A year-old D2C menswear brand that sells "actually slim" dress shirts, uses grassroots marketing, SEO, and Facebook/Instagram ads as their top customer acquisition channels with $40k in sales and plans to expand their product selection to pants, accessories, and more.
19. LilKong Brand ($36K/year)
Tramell McInnis, the founder of LilKong Brand, was inspired to start his lifestyle designer fashion brand after growing up in Compton and not having access to high-end designer fashion. Knowing the importance of knowledge and research in the industry, he teamed up with an experienced head designer and built a brand that offers creative and unique clothing options for young to middle-aged individuals with middle to high-class income.
How much they make: $36K/year
Current team size: 0
Tramell McInnis, owner of LilKong Brand, talks about his start-up experience, challenges faced in choosing the perfect manufacturer and launching a premium fashion brand, and his vision of expanding a young lifestyle designer fashion brand appreciated by middle to high-class income customers with 3-year estimated evaluation of $300K.
20. Creative Fashion Blog ($120K/year)
Lisa Miller-Mecham, the founder of Creative Fashion Blog, came up with the idea for her business after learning to sew while pregnant with her first child. She started by making a diaper bag from billboard canvas scraps she found while dumpster diving. From there, she built a successful handmade accessories business and eventually transitioned into selling printable sewing patterns, generating over $10k per month.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
Current team size: 1
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
21. SexyModest ($6M/year)
Jason, the co-owner of SexyModest.com, came up with the idea for his 7-figure business when his wife, Brig, struggled to find clothing that was both modest and stylish. After hosting clothing sales in their home, they opened a retail store and eventually transitioned to an online-only business, attracting customers through face-to-face interactions, social media, and a podcast. They have since closed deals with big retailers like Costco and are experiencing continued success.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 15
SexyModest.com is a 7-figure business producing around 250k and selling 150k pieces a year, which began as a side hustle in the founder's basement and designs modest women's clothing available online and in Costco.
22. The Shoe Consultant Ltd ($48K/year)
Susannah Davda, the founder of The Shoe Consultant, came up with the idea for her business after realizing that aspiring shoe entrepreneurs lacked access to the footwear industry. With 22 years of experience in the industry, Davda started offering consultancy services, speaking engagements, and writing to help people start their own shoe brands. Through networking events and online marketing, she attracted clients and expanded her services, including launching an online course on how to start a shoe brand. Currently experiencing strong growth, Davda plans to further diversify her offerings and expand internationally by partnering with shoe business professionals.
How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $700
Current team size: 1
Susannah Davda explains how she started a niche consultancy business helping people start shoe brands, earning $3.5k per month through personalized services and a highly successful online course.
23. zapato FEROZ ($6M/year)
In this case study, Lau García, a shoemaker by trade, came up with the idea for Zapato FEROZ when she couldn't find suitable footwear for her baby. She wanted to create comfortable, natural shoes that would promote healthy foot development. With the brand's focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Zapato FEROZ has experienced incredible growth, increasing their monthly revenue from $900-1000 to $60k in just two years.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 6
Zapato FEROZ is a thriving children's footwear company whose sales have grown exponentially to reach $60,000 per month in the last 12 months, with 80% of sales made directly through their website, due to their dedication to producing the highest quality, healthy shoes for babies and children.
24. 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 they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $350
Current team size: 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.
25. The Design Cart ($1.44M/year)
Apaar, the founder of The Design Cart, came up with the idea for his business after realizing the procurement challenges faced by fashion designers in India. He personally spoke to over 800 designers and identified the need for a tech-enabled solution. After building a website and cataloging thousands of products, he launched the online B2B sourcing portal, which has now serviced over 20,000 designers and achieved a monthly turnover of $80k.
How much they make: $1.44M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 25
The founder of The Design Cart, an Indian online B2B sourcing portal for the fashion industry, shares how he turned his weekend gig into an EBITA positive business, servicing over 20,000 unique designers and brands globally and achieving a monthly turnover of over $80k until COVID-19 hit, by relentlessly running behind supply and demand, optimizing his online marketing strategy and keeping costs low for sustainable profits.
26. Bang-Up Betty ($84K/year)
Stacey, the founder of Bang-Up Betty, initially started making jewelry as a hobby, creating funny and bold pieces with curse words and silly phrases. She quickly learned that staying true to herself and her designs was more important than trying to please everyone. With average monthly revenue of $6,000 and features in sites like Buzzfeed and Huffington Post, Bang-Up Betty has grown into a successful business known for its feminist and progressive tendencies.
How much they make: $84K/year
Current team size: 1
How Stacey turned her handmade jewelry hobby into a business that generates an average revenue of $6,000 per month, with a focus on staying true to your designs and customers, and the importance of organic marketing through social media and SEO.
27. Crawford Denim and Vintage Co. ($24K/year)
Susie Shaughnessy, founder of Crawford Denim and Vintage Co, was inspired by her upbringing in a large family and her experience as a designer at Levi's. She wanted to bring back the artform of denim production to California and create a sustainable apparel brand. By using local manufacturers, deadstock and vintage fabrics, and collaborating with friends and small businesses, Shaughnessy has been able to grow her brand and attract a loyal customer base.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 0
Learn how Susie Shaughnessy created Crawford Denim and Vintage Co, a small-batch denim brand that mixes vintage and modern styles and is made in California from USA goods and deadstock and how she scaled back the business last year and is focusing on incremental growth and working with boutiques and increasing unique denim styles.
28. Aziza Jewelry ($240K/year)
Aziza, the founder of Aziza Jewelry, started her business by making custom mother-daughter earring sets for a customer who wanted matching earrings to go with their matching tattoos. This concept sparked her idea to create jewelry that strengthens the bond between mothers and daughters. Today, Aziza Jewelry generates around $5,000 per month in revenue and offers a range of customizable pieces, including name necklaces and bracelets.
How much they make: $240K/year
Current team size: 1
A jewelry business founder discusses how she started her $5k/month side hustle selling custom word necklaces and shares advice on making connections in your industry, investing in yourself, and using social media for marketing.
29. Gold Pan Pete Design ($30K/year)
Alex Moore, a primary school PE teacher, came up with the idea for his handmade jewelry business after finding gold in New Zealand and wanting to incorporate it into his wedding ring. He took jewelry making classes and started making pieces for family and friends, which led to him selling his designs on Etsy and eventually at a local market. Moore's revenue now averages between $2500-3000 per month, with customers from all over the world.
How much they make: $30K/year
Current team size: 0
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
30. Kashgar ($300K/year)
through a very tough year of barely breaking even, and in 2010, we made the decision to downsize to one store and focus on online sales. This was a risky move, but it turned out to be the right decision. Today, Kashgar is thriving as an online business, with monthly revenues of $25,000 and a loyal customer base. The future looks bright as we continue to source unique and exotic goods from around the world and connect with customers who appreciate the beauty and history behind our products.
How much they make: $300K/year
Current team size: 2
Kashgar is a successful family business that began with a love of travel and now exclusively sells unique goods sourced from over twenty different countries online, grossing an average of $25,000 a month.
31. Betsy DeVille ($1.2K/year)
Betsy, the founder of Betsy DeVille, came up with the idea for her business after attending a large atheist event and realizing that there were not many symbols or products available for atheists to express their beliefs. With a background in design and a desire to create meaningful and inspiring products, she started designing scarves and bracelets with secular, humanist, and atheist quotes. Her business has since grown, and she now sells a variety of items on platforms like Etsy and Amazon.
How much they make: $1.2K/year
Current team size: 0
Betsy DeVille is an e-commerce business that offers fashion, accessories, home decor, and gifts for a community of secular, rational, and atheist thinkers, which has doubled its income each year and had an estimated $1000 in sales last year.
32. Valhalla Wood Forge ($102K/year)
James Wolfer, a police officer and Coast Guard reservist, started Valhalla Wood Forge in 2017 after making a wooden flag for his department. He saw potential and began creating custom wedding bands and rustic wood flags, gaining traction through word of mouth and organic growth on Instagram. Despite working long hours, he managed to streamline his process and hire an employee due to the increasing demand and continued growth of the business.
How much they make: $102K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400
Current team size: 3
Valhalla Wood Forge is a veteran and first responder run woodworking company that grossed $8500 in October 2019, noted for making rustic wood decor and high end men’s jewelry.
33. Cinquanta Cox-Smith ($120K/year)
Cinquanta Cox-Smith, a Multipreneur from South Carolina, stumbled upon the Print On Demand industry 12 years ago when she wanted to create a unique shirt and discovered Spreadshirt.com. Through her creativity and networking skills, she found success in designing and selling catchy, conversation-starting shirts. This eventually led her to create multiple POD brands on various platforms, generating an impressive $120k per year in revenue.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 1
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
34. ANIMA IRIS ($1.2M/year)
How much they make: $1.2M/year
Current team size:
25-year-old Wilglory Tanjong turned her side hustle of designing geometric hand-stitched women's handbags into a Beyoncé-approved luxury brand, generating over $700,000 in lifetime sales since its launch in February 2020, including $603,819 in 2021 alone, and bringing in approximately $100,000 per month in recent months.
35. iGirl World ($1.26M/year)
Bella McFadden, known as Internet Girl, built an alt-fashion community on social media and Depop, using her unique aesthetic inspired by Y2K emo culture. With a strong social media presence and millions in sales, Bella is now launching her own website, iGirlworld.com, to sell her original designs and take her brand to the next level.
How much they make: $1.26M/year
Current team size:
Teenager turned millionaire entrepreneur creates viral alt-fashion brand from scratch, with 380K followers on Instagram and more than 1 million dollars earned from Depop app, now launching her own website to sell original designs under her brand name, iGirl.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
