Venturing into Fashion Tech

As we close out 2024, this year's final episode is joined by Yoobin Jung, a VC at Plug and Play, where she along with our host Peter break down the fashion tech booms and busts that happened throughout the year. They discuss:• AI's transformative impact on fashion design: Generative design tools are accelerating prototyping and reshaping brand identities, but raise ethical concerns about potentially replacing junior designers.• The sustainability challenge: AI could help align production with demand, potentially addressing the persistent issue of overproduction in the fashion industry.• Luxury brands and AI adoption: High-end fashion houses are cautiously approaching AI, grappling with complexities of clothing structures and concerns about AI-driven overconsumption.• Recommendation algorithms: Effectiveness varies between Europe and South Korea, prompting questions about enhancing consumer experiences versus fuelling overconsumption.• Regulatory landscape: EU policies like Extended Producer Responsibility aim to promote circularity, yet industry readiness is questionable, as evidenced by Renewcell's bankruptcy.• Future of luxury e-commerce: The resale market is gaining prominence, with potential lessons from South Korea's Kakao platform on integrating digital and physical retail experiences.Contact Yoobin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yoobinjungSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

We wrap up our 'Build It' podcast series with a reflective finale. Host Peter Jeun Ho Tsang tell us his top 5 key takeaways from navigating business growth, how to get through challenging times as a fashion tech startup, through to tech and humans coming together. This episode highlights the passionate voices featured throughout the series and how the call for a strategic collaboration between brands, investors, and innovators to not only sustain emerging technologies but to also foster their growth. This episode isn't just a summary; it's a map charting the path forward in the fashion tech realm.Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.Send us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Setting Up a Fashion Store in the 90s:Today's episode we're with Afsal Koya, CEO of Raza Clothing which is a fashion store and label in the USA that uses AIMIRR's virtual try-on technology. Afsal's transformation from a computer scientist to a streetwear brand founder is an unusual one. We hear his journey that started in a small Ohio store back in 1992, Afsal shares how he navigated the evolving landscape of fashion trends to launch his own brand, emphasising the importance of learning and teamwork in driving retail innovation.AIMIRR and Virtual Try-On:AIMIRR's AI-powered magic mirror is currently installed at Castleton Square Mall, Indiana and we hear how Afsal worked with AIMIRR CEO Pritesh Kanani to get the technology up and running. This episode unpacks the insights collected to date, in particular how it's been a hit with the younger crowd and how the seamless AR shopping experience has boosted the store's foot traffic. Does that mean in-store VTO technology is ripe for mass adoption?Find out about Raza Clothing: razaclothingstore.comFind out about AIMIRR's technology: aimirr.comSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Fashion's Fit Dilemma: Today's episode features fashion garment technologist and fit expert Katy Schildmeyer. As online shopping increases, the challenge of ensuring accurate garment fit remains ever-present. Katy and Peter Jeun Ho discuss the pressing need for enhanced fashion education, particularly in the communication of fit and the creation of garments that cater to all body types, including the aging population. They reflect on the historical transformation from shopping experiences of the 90s, to the rising return rates in online retail today which can be more than 30% for some fashion brands. Ensuring Data Integrity to Find the Fit Truth:The interview examines the integration of AI into fashion tech. Accurate data is crucial, and Katy emphasises the importance of truthful data in training AI models to avoid misguided innovations. We spotlight industry leaders like COS, Tapestry, and Japanese denim companies, commending their practices towards better fitting products. But how does one find the truth in fit? Find out in this episode.Connect with Katy: linkedin.com/in/katherineschildmeyerKaty features Beyond Form startup AIMIRR in her research: aimirr.comSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

What Failing in Fashion Looks Like: We welcome back Beatrice Newman, Head of Education at Beyond Form, where we discuss what it means to fail in fashion, what failure looks like, lessons that can be learned, and why it's still a taboo subject. Beatrice shares her personal failures whilst building her brand, Korlekie, from mis-understanding the customer to financing a commercial collection. Lessons Learned Whilst Failing:From funding challenges to the art of effective go-to-market strategies, we dive into the realities, challenges, and fails that fashion startups often face. Reflecting on Beatrice's experience, we underscore the importance of learning from missteps to better define one's brand identity and carve a sustainable path forward. We redefine failure not as an end, but as a stepping stone to growth. Connect with Beatrice: linkedin.com/in/korlekieFind out more about Beyond Form Education: beyondform.io/education/overviewSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

MODE Pivots into Beyond Form Education:Beatrice Newman, the creative force behind online fashion education platform Mode, chats in this episode what it means to pivot a fashion business. Exclusively on today's episode she reveals the launch of Beyond Form Education, a groundbreaking initiative bridging the gap between academia and the fashion industry.Data-Driven Pivoting in the Fashion Industry:We discuss how data-driven decisions and user feedback are revolutionising fashion education in a post-pandemic world. As the desire for in-person experiences resurges, Peter and Beatrice share insights on creating a global learning canvas that spans entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and design.Episode highlights:The power of adaptability in reshaping fashion education.Leveraging data and feedback for pivotal business decisions.Bridging the academia-industry gap in the fashion world.The importance of a supportive team and continuous learning.Exploring diverse opportunities beyond traditional fashion roles.Learn about Beyond Form Education: beyondform.io/educationConnect with Beatrice: linkedin.com/in/korlekieSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Inheriting a traditional fashion factory in Pakistan:Raised amidst the rich tapestry of a family-owned garment production business, Shahid Butt now helms his father's empire Shahkam Industries in Lahore, Pakistan. This episode offers a unique perspective on the balancing act between maintaining cultural heritage and embracing the cutting-edge transformations shaping the garment industry today. Shahid challenges preconceived notions of Pakistani manufacturers and invites listeners to reconsider the opportunities in partnering with local manufacturers.Digitising a factory:Shahid discussed with Peter the complexities of managing a vertically integrated knitwear operation, a challenge compounded by external factors like fluctuating taxes and environmental limitations. He shares his insights on transitioning from instinctual decision-making to data-driven strategies, revealing the pivotal role of AI and technology in modernising Shahkam Industries. We explore the pressures and privileges of inheriting a family business, as well as running the group's private label One Retail, and Shahid's vision for preparing it for future generations with advanced technological integration.Find out more about Shackham Industries: www.shahkam.comSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

From Mumbai to Microsoft to Body Sizing:Today's episode feature's Pritesh Kanani, founder & CEO of AIMIRR. From his early days in Mumbai to steering technological advancements at Microsoft, we hear Pritesh's journey to developing virtual try-on solution. Initially kickstarted by his mother's wish to see his future wife in a wedding dress remotely, the solution came to life that is now deployed by fashion retailers online and offline around the world.Patenting the AI-Powered Body Scanning Software:Pritesh reveals the intricacies of the U.S. patenting process and how their patented sizing algorithm is set to redefine virtual try-on solutions with its ability to produce results with a 99% accuracy. Pritesh is so confident in fact that his solution can reduce online returns by 40% and increase average order values by 20%. Listen to this episode to hear what makes him so confident.Learn more about AIMIRR: aimirr.comGet in contact with Pritesh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/priteshkananiSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Launderd's Fundraising Journey:12 months on since we heard how Chelsea Van De Kamp, founder of Launderd, planned to launch her fashion repair and restoration platform, she's now back on the show but this time with all guns blazing as she begins her fundraising journey. Chelsea shares why fundraising now is the right time for the company and her strategies for using storytelling to captivate investors. Her candid reflections on Launderd's progress offer a compelling look into the evolving landscape for women in entrepreneurship.Hear Chelsea's original fundraising pitch to investors.Lessons Learned from Investors:Mastering the art of pitching to investors is not easy. Something Chelsea reveals that she underestimated. Especially pitching to traditional investors and the unique hurdles she faces in a male-dominated venture capital landscape. She shares tactics for aligning her presentations with investor priorities like scalability and ROI, her experiences in various pitching formats, from speed dating events to formal meetings, and the growing support for female founders in the investment world. If you're looking to fundraise on the west coast of USA, this episode is for you!Check out Launderd: launderd.comConnect with Chelsea and hear her new investor pitch: linkedin.com/in/chelseacolecompassSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

The Financial Scam:Have you ever found yourself tangled in a financial scam, when all you were trying to do was fuel your entrepreneurial dreams? Brian Yurachek, the founder and CEO of New York Culture Club, reveals his own unfortunate experience with an advance fee scam during his quest for a business loan to finance his fashion tech startup. We unravel the emotional turmoil that Brian endured and the resilience he had to muster up to get through it, a cautionary tale underscoring how startups, particularly those without substantial credit histories, are vulnerable to scams. Financing Fashion Tech:We explore the delicate balance between equity fundraising and debt financing, with insights into how emerging technologies like blockchain and NFTs are reshaping fundraising landscapes. In the previous episode we heard how Brian's passion is fuelling the build of his fashion IoT solution, but that passion overrode his vigilance. In a world where scams lurk around every corner, Brian's experience is a potent reminder of the need for thorough verification before parting with money. We discuss practical strategies to safeguard your business, such as cross-checking information and maintaining direct communication with financial institutions. Our chat also highlights the significance of prioritising product development over securing finance prematurely. Find out more about NYCC: nycultureclub.com/Connect with Brian: linkedin.com/in/brianyurachekSend us a textSupport the show--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io