How The Industry Is Democratizing Just In Time For Fashion Week

With NYFW around the corner, the fashion industry is scouting out emerging designers to be the “next big thing.”

It is no secret that the path to a successful fashion design career is challenging both financially and sustainably.

As a result, many visionaries are forced to turn to apprentice work or are unable to fund their dreams.

Why should these potential prodigies be robbed of this opportunity because of socioeconomic barriers?

Thanks to the industry’s newest invention, the trajectory of fashion designers is going to be changed forever.

Introducing REKA: a new fashion-lifestyle channel that aggregates independent fashion designers, bringing them to the masses via their smartphone.

See Also: How To Be a #GirlBoss In A Male-Dominated Industry

The mission of the brand is simple: to provide a "gateway into curated fashion content, designer-direct, and artisan focused fashion dedicated to transforming you into a socially responsible & informed shopper."

Like the Etsy of fashion, REKA allows consumers the ability to order bespoke fashion items from designers around the world.

There is no need for fittings thanks to their innovative AI “virtual tailor” fitting tool, that takes in-depth body measurements from the comfort of your own home.

For customers, the appeal is in owning completely unique pieces while supporting small businesses that are better for the planet.

Through REKA, designers can sell DTC without the huge upfront costs or financial backers.

Producing 1-1 items eliminates the cost of samples, production runs, etc., and significantly cuts down on textile/fashion waste.

Via REKA, designers are able to control their inventory thus managing their fabric/sampling to only be sufficient for their orders.

Not only does this reduce textile waste, one of fashion’s largest issues, but also helps them significantly cut their costs to only support the product they are generating for profit.

From the designer’s perspective, the app democratizes the current trajectory of a fashion designer.

Typically, designers sell their designs to a brand (losing all ownership), apprentice under a designer/design house (again losing ownership), or work to get picked up by a major distributor or department store (requiring large investment).

Ultimately, REKA’s goal is to give designers a chance to create a sustainable business model, both environmentally and brand longevity, without being dependent on the current very costly cycle of fashion.