Starting a clothing line can be an exciting venture, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Here we discuss some tips on how to start a fashion business.
5th June 2023
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Date 20th February 2025
Are you looking to break into the fashion industry? Learning from those who've done it can give you a real advantage! Recently our BA (Hons) Fashion Business students had the opportunity to hear from Emma Watkinson, CEO & Co-Founder of SilkFred, who shared her journey of building a successful fashion brand.
From leadership challenges to career advice, Emma's insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to start or grow a career in fashion business.
The Challenges of Leadership
As SilkFred grew from a small team of 10 to over 130 employees, Emma had to adapt as a leader. She found it tough to step back from hands-on work and trust others to carry out her vision.
Scaling a business isn't just about growth - it's about learning to delegate, empower your team and let go of daily operations, which many founders struggle with.
Founder-Led vs. Manager-Led Leadership
Emma explained how different leadership styles shape company culture:
Founder-Led Leadership
- Encourages employees to take initiative
- Hands-on, coach-style mentorship
- More creative freedom
Manager-Led Leadership
- Structured career paths and promotions
- More stability and guidance
- Predictable salary growth
At SilkFred, Emma noticed that some people thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, while others prefer a structured corporate set-up.
You're either a big company person or a small company person! - Emma, SilkFred CEO & Co-Founder
Becoming a Better Leader
For Emma, great leadership starts with self-awareness. Early in her career, she struggled with feedback, often reacting defensively. Over time, she realised that constructive feedback helps you grow.
She also emphasised the importance of caring about your team - understanding their strengths, ambitions and goals helps to create a positive work environment.
You want to be someone that people want to work for! - Emma Watkinson
ProbLEm-solving: the key to success
One of the biggest leadership lessons that Emma has learned is that good leaders don't need to have all the answers, but they do need confidence and resilience.
Stepping into tough situations, even when you feel out of your depth, earns you respect and builds trust within a team.
Emma's Advice for fashion business students
Emma shared valuable advice for students looking to build careers in the fashion industry:
- Build strong relationships - The fashion industry is small and your reputation matters. A strong network will help you throughout your career.
- Be yourself and know your strengths - Confidence and self-awareness are key. Emma wishes she had figured out her strengths earlier in her career and been more herself.
You need a network of people who you can call up for advice - people who actually want to help you! - Emma, SilkFred's CEO & Co-Founder
the most rewarding part of Leadership
For Emma, the best part of being a leader is seeing others grow and succeed. She said that helping people develop their skills, take on new challenges and thrive is what makes leadership truly rewarding.
Her journey shows that embracing feedback, building strong relationships and stepping up to challenges are key to success - not just in leadership, but in any fashion career.
Want to build a career in fashion business?
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Business degree is an accelerated, two-year degree designed to help you succeed in the industry. You'll learn:
- How to grow a fashion business
- The key commercial, financial and ethical factors in the industry
- Leadership and entrepreneurial skills
- And much more!
Ready to take the next step? Apply today!
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