The Fashion Startup
Michelle Ramsay, Fashion Designer & Startup Mentor - The Fashion Expert® 21 episodes Nov 11, 2026
The go-to podcast for first-time founders who want to start a clothing brand and do it right. Hosted by Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert® - fashion designer and startup mentor with 20 years of industry experience. Each episode covers the real startup journey - from brand foundations and product development to manufacturing, marketing, and launch. Whether you're still in the idea stage or already building, you'll find honest advice, founder stories, and expert insight to help you fast-track your fashion startup.
Episodes
EP 38: How to Make Your Clothing Brand Stand Out
You think that if your product looks simple, like a T-shirt or a pair of jeans, there's nothing to design and no way to make your clothing brand stand out. But actually, a striped T-shirt at a networking event suggests otherwise. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion Expert® explains how to make a simple clothing product stan
EP 37: How to Prepare to Work With a Fashion Designer for Your Clothing Brand Startup
How to Prepare to Work With a Fashion Designer for Your Clothing Brand StartupYou think you can’t work with a fashion designer yet because you can’t draw, or because you don’t know how to explain the ideas in your head. But actually, that isn’t what a designer is looking at. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion Expert® shows you
EP 36: Who Should Make Your Clothing Brand’s Tech Pack?
You think the cheapest or quickest way to get a tech pack made is a sensible way to start. But actually, this is the point where first-time fashion founders waste the most money. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion Expert® compares five ways to get a tech pack made and explains who should make yours, with real examples from 20+
EP 35: How to Make Your Startup Clothing Designs Better - What Premium Actually Means
You want your fashion brand to feel premium, not basic, but you can't quite say what makes a garment look elevated. You think that means you don't have the eye for it. But actually, premium isn't a feeling, it's a set of specific design decisions, and nobody has shown you what they are yet. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion E
EP 34: What Goes Wrong When You Start a Clothing Brand Without a Tech Pack
You think a bad factory ruined your samples. But actually, anything you don't specify, a factory fills in with the cheapest option. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion Expert® shows what starting a clothing brand without a tech pack really costs, with a founder's 20-piece collection and her own story from 20+ years in f
EP 33: What is A Fashion Tech Pack And What Does It Do For Your Clothing Brand
If you're researching how to start a clothing brand, you've probably been told you need a tech pack without anyone explaining what one is. In this episode of The Fashion Startup, fashion designer and startup mentor Michelle Ramsay of The Fashion Expert® explains what a tech pack is, how it differs from a sketch, and what it gives your clothing brand. After 20+ years in fashion and more tha
EP 32: Facebook and Instagram Ads for Clothing Brands: The Dos and Don'ts with Naomi Davies
Thinking about running Facebook and Instagram ads when you start your clothing brand? Paid social can really help grow a fashion brand, but only when the foundations are already there. In this episode I'm joined by Naomi Davies, founder of fashion marketing agency NMD Marketing, for an honest conversation about what paid ads can and can't do for a new brand.We talk about why ads aren't
EP 31: How to Create a Month of Content for Your Fashion Brand in Two Hours
How to Film a Month of Content for Your Clothing Brand in Two HoursIf the thought of creating content for your fashion brand fills you with dread, or you've picked up your phone to film something and immediately put it back down, this episode is going to change how you think about the whole thing.I'm joined by Stacey Gribben, founder of Creative Canvas, a 24/7 self-serve content studio in
Ep 30: Starting a Clothing Brand? Here's What You Actually Need to Know
Starting a Clothing Brand? Here's What You Actually Need to Know...Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get startedWondering when you actually need help starting a clothing brand? If you're stuck between researching alone and feeling ready to ask for support, this episode gives you the honest answer, and the real cost of
EP 29: Why Google, YouTube and AI Can't Teach You How to Start a Clothing Brand
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get startedThree fashion founders. Same YouTube videos, same Google searches, same AI prompts, same advice. All three are about to do completely the wrong thing for their brand, and none of them know it yet.In this solo episode of The Fashion Startup, I break down why generic advice about how
Ep: 28 How to Start a Clothing Brand With No Experience - What's Really Holding You Back
If you've ever told yourself you can't start a clothing brand because you didn't go to fashion school, can't draw, or don't have any connections in the industry - this episode is going to reframe all of that for you.In this solo episode, Michelle Ramsay gets honest about why the "just believe in yourself" advice so many founders receive is not only unhelpful, it can a
Ep27: What To Work On Now To Start A Clothing Brand - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 6
Been sitting on your clothing brand idea for months, maybe years, without moving forward? In this final episode of Founder Prep School, I share exactly what I'd focus on right now if I wanted to launch a fashion brand.Been sitting on your fashion brand idea for months, maybe years, without moving forward? In this final episode of Founder Prep School, I share exactly what I'd focus on right
Ep26: Is Starting a Fashion Brand Right for You? - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 5
Thinking about starting a fashion brand but not sure if it's really the right move for you? In this episode, I ask you to pause and honestly consider whether this path is a good fit - because it's genuinely not right for everyone, and that's okay.What you'll learn:I walk through the real reasons people start fashion brands — from spotting a gap in the market to craving a more creat
Ep25: Clothing Brand Founder Mistakes To Avoid - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 4
Thinking about starting a fashion brand? These are the mistakes I see first-time founders make again and again - and most of them are completely avoidable once you know what to look out for.After a decade working with clothing startups, I share the most common (and costly) mistakes first-time founders make - from underestimating how long it really takes to launch, to sending a factory a photo and
Ep24: Should You Build A Fashion Collection Or One Product?- Fashion Founder Prep School Part 3
Should your clothing brand launch with one hero product, or a full collection? It's one of the most common questions first-time founders ask me - and the generic "start small and build up" advice you'll find online doesn't work for every brand.I walk through how to figure out whether your fashion brand should launch with a single standout product or a small, curated collectio
Ep23: Why You Haven't Started Your Fashion Brand Yet - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 2
Have you been thinking about starting a clothing brand for months (or years) but still haven't taken the leap? In this episode of Founder Prep School, I share the three real reasons founders get stuck before they launch, and they're not the reasons you'd expect.After years of working with first-time clothing brand founders, I've found the biggest blockers aren't money or drawin
Ep22: How to Plan a Clothing Brand - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 1
Starting a clothing brand but not sure where to actually begin? In this first episode of the Founder Prep School series, I break down the one step almost every first-time fashion founder skips, and why it's the difference between a brand that lasts and one that falls apart at the first hurdle.You'll hear why planning and laying strong foundations matters more than jumping straight into design, and
Ep21: The real story of building a children's clothing brand from scratch
From first idea to first collection: the real story behind building a children's fashion brand from scratchIf you've ever thought about starting a clothing brand but had no idea where to begin - or felt that creeping doubt of "who do I think I am to do this?" - this episode is going to feel very familiar.Michelle is joined by Sabrina Campbell, founder of Solly Little, a children's nightwear brand
Ep20: The secret nobody tells you when starting a clothing brand
The secret nobody tells you when starting a clothing brandIf you're dreaming about launching a fashion brand but feel like you keep going in circles - or you've already started and something just isn't clicking - this episode is going to make a lot of things fall into place. In this solo episode, Michelle breaks down the three approaches most fashion startup founders take, why two of them lead to
Ep19: Starting A Product Led Fashion Brand | Gal Golander On Building Noosh
In this episode of The Fashion Startup, I’m joined by Gal Golander, founder and CEO of Noosh, to talk about what it really takes to start a fashion brand from scratch and build a product-led business in a competitive market. We cover product development, manufacturing, direct-to-consumer marketing, hiring, and the realities of growing a fashion startup.Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my fr
Ep18: Fashion Design That Solves Problems
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.Have you ever thought, “Someone really needs to fix this” about a product, garment or accessory that just doesn’t work the way you need it to? In this episode, I’m talking about the founders who take that thought and actually do something with it. These are the innovators who creat
Ep17: How To Launch A Petite Womenswear Brand
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.In this episode of The Fashion Startup, I’m joined by Barbara Chowaniec, founder of Fosho Petite, a Dublin-based womenswear brand creating timeless, perfectly proportioned pieces for women 145–155 cm tall. Barbara shares the real side of starting a fashion brand from scratch –
Ep16: Why Your Fashion Startup Brand Reset Is Now
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.September is the perfect reset for fashion entrepreneurs.In this episode, I explore why this month feels like a fresh start in the fashion industry and how first-time founders can harness the momentum. From overcoming self-doubt to setting clear, realistic goals, I’ll walk you th
Ep15: What Holds Fashion Startups Back With Raquel Braganza Empowerment Lifecoach
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by empowerment lifecoach Raquel Braganza to talk all things mindset and what's holding you back as a fashion founder.We cover so much inspiring content such as the inner critical voice, saying yes to your dreams, waiting for that "right" time to start and overcoming fear to embrace something new.Raquel also has a special gift for you
Ep14: Branding For Fashion Startups With The Ideas Club® Agency
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by branding experts Scott and Shona Watson from creative agency The Ideas Club. A Glasgow based agency helping bring creative ideas to life. The duo share some gold on choosing a brand name, how a brand identity is more than just. logo and some of the startup mistakes to avoid.You can find out more about The Ideas Club here: WEBSITE INSTA
Ep13: Wholesale For Fashion Brands With Therese From Small Business Collaborative
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by retail and whoesale expert Therese Oertenblad of Small Business Collaborative who works with purpose-led, product-based business owners who want to grow their wholesale and create consistent income. Therese shares her wisdom and advice for fashion startups who want to explore the world of wholesale and we chat about how to get started and what i
Ep12: Launching A Menswear Brand With Sorsa
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by founders of Sorsa menswear Sarah Jane and John who share what it’s been like for them creating their debut collection.
Having just recently launched, the duo share their struggles in the beginning, the key to unlocking those, navigating the design and manufacture process and their top tips for first time founders.
You can find out more about So
Ep11: Launching A Luxury Resortwear Brand With Lore Buta
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m joined by founder Loredana Buta who has recently launched the luxury resortwear collection Lore Buta.
Loredana shares her unique approach to her brand and business model, overcoming imposter syndrome as a new founder, being transparent with your collection and tips to minimising the overwhelm of starting a clothing line.
You can find out more about Lore B
Ep10: Launching An Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Brand With Sara Collins
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m chatting with Ethical Production Consultant Sara Collins.
We chat about what sustainability and ethical production look like to a fashion founder, some of the challenges including these practices presents to a startup and Sara shares some great tips for those just starting to launch a clothing brand.
We delve into how to have difficult conversations, what
Ep9: Launching A Luxury Womenswear Brand With Suzanne Gill
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m chatting with client Suzanne Gill of women’s luxury brand Vine & Moor. Suzanne is a renowned Miller who set out to create a brand of exquisitely tailored clothing that has been manufactured to the highest quality in the United Kingdom.
An elegant collection that embraces each woman’s individuality and passion.
Suzanne shares her start up journey and
Ep8: What's Really Stopping You Launching Your Fashion Brand
In this episode I'm sharing what's really holding you back from starting a fashion brand and giving you some top tips on how to move forward so you can really get started.
If you're considering starting a clothing line and you're not sure where to start you can download a free launch plan for fashion startups here
Or you can book a free and friendly chat with me to see how I c
Ep7: Starting An Adaptive Clothing Brand With Helen Clawson
Helen Clawson has a truly inspirational story surrounding her startup brand, trading her life as a former police officer to now the award-winning founder of Adaptive Clothing UK.
Discover the road she took to get there and the highs and lows of starting a fashion brand in this episode where Helen gives some valuable advice to anyone thinking about launching their own collection.
Helen shares her i
Ep6: Shopify & Klaviyo For Fashion Brands With Elle Williamson The Ecommerce Assistant
All fashion brands start out with a website, but using it effectively can be a challenge. In this episode of The Fashion Startup Show I'm joined by Elle Williamson of The Ecommerce Assistant who shares valuable tips on creating more sales online through your website and email marketing. Elle helps small business owners to create successful online stores by teaching them how to use Shopify + Kl
EP5: Marketing Your Brand With Retail Marketing Expert Loren Nally
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear when startups are launching
a brand is that marketing starts once you have a finished product. It seems that many business owners believe customers are going to magically appear knocking down their door or storming their website to buy their collection once they have that product in stock. In reality without marketing the opposite is often true which can be
EP4: Starting An Underwear Brand With Kelly Newton of Nixi Body
When a fashion startup creates a product because they have identified a gap in the market, I know the brand will succeed. And that's exactly what happened with Nixi Body underwear.
In this episode, founder Kelly Newton chats frankly about the highs and lows of her start-up journey, and shares fabulous advice for anyone thinking about launching a fashion brand.
You can find out more about Nixi
EP3: Copywriting & PR For Your Fashion Startup With Molly Gould.
Copywriting and PR can help make or break your fashion brand but is often an area surrounded by mystery for those just starting out. In this episode, I'm joined by Molly Gould founder of copywriting and PR agency Effable. Molly shares a ton of value, gives us an overview of how copywriting can help your business and reveals the top mistakes fashion brands make and how to avoid them.
You can find o
EP2: Launching A Childrenswear Range With Bibevie Founder Rhian Thompson.
What better way to find out what it's like to launch a childrenswear brand than to hear from someone who has successfully launched. In this episode, I chat with the founder of Bibevie, Rhian Thompson about her journey launching her innovative and sustainable brand. We discuss the highs and lows the best bits and some of the struggles as well as navigating manufacturing, sourcing and sustainability
EP1: Welcome To The Fashion Startup Show!
If you're thinking of launching a fashion brand then this brand new podcast is going to help you get there. In this episode, you'll find out more about me your host Michelle Ramsay - The Fashion Expert® and hear about what you can expect in this series.
There is so much goodness in store for you from real-life fashion startup stories to guest expert tips and industry advice.
I really want to inspi
