Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) has joined forces with Bloomingdale’s to introduce The Fashion Incubator, a unique initiative aimed at scaling independent fashion brands. Designed as a springboard for emerging designers, this collaboration offers mentorship, retail space, and valuable resources to build successful brands in the competitive fashion landscape.
From Concept to Retail
The Fashion Incubator grants select designers three months of exclusive retail space within Bloomingdale’s, one of the world’s leading luxury department stores. This offers them a real-time platform to test consumer demand, enhance brand visibility, and share their unique stories. The initiative fosters not only commercial growth but also community engagement, integrating a mix of offline sales strategies to boost consumer interaction. As a hub of creativity, Atlanta is seen as the ideal launchpad for such a venture, aligning with the city’s growing reputation in culture and fashion innovation.
Featured Designers
The inaugural cohort features three standout designers:
- Alani Taylor – Renowned for high-fashion streetwear with bold, edgy aesthetics, this Atlanta-based brand seeks to redefine style standards.
- BRUXE Footwear – A luxury footwear brand known for its daring designs and boundary-pushing concepts.
- GOAT by James King – An Atlanta lifestyle brand inspired by classic prep, sportswear, and tailored designs.
These designers will showcase their collections at Bloomingdale’s Lenox Square showroom, complemented by exclusive activations and trunk shows, allowing deeper connections with customers.
Empowering Emerging Talent
According to Angela Watts, founder of ATLFW, “Atlanta Fashion Week and Bloomingdale’s share a common goal of supporting emerging fashion talent. We’re excited to provide designers with tools and opportunities that will enable them to leave a lasting mark in the industry.”
Key Benefits of The Fashion Incubator
- Access to Retail Space: Designers receive three months of prime retail space to test products, increase brand awareness, and interact directly with shoppers.
- Brand Building: The initiative focuses on storytelling, consumer relationships, and marketplace presence, setting the foundation for broader brand growth.
- Multichannel Strategy: By engaging customers through in-store sales tactics, designers maximize their reach and brand potential.
- Community Impact: Supporting local designers fosters community engagement, aligning with ATLFW and Bloomingdale’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the fashion sector.
Applications Open October 23
Designers can apply for the ATLFW x Bloomingdale’s Fashion Incubator program from October 23, 2024, with the first session slated for January – March 2025.
For more information, visit www.atlantafashionweek.co
