Why Fashion Needs a Revolution—A 1Granary Perspective

• The Birth of 1Granary – What started as a student project at Central Saint Martins became a global fashion education platform.
• The Reality of Fashion Education – A degree from a top school doesn’t guarantee success—80% of graduates don’t find jobs in the industry.
• Acting as a Designer Union – 1Granary advocates for young designers, exposing industry flaws and providing career guidance.
• The Power of Community – Success in fashion isn’t just about talent; strategic relationships and collaborations shape careers.
• Why Editors Are Moving to Brand Consulting – Traditional media salaries are low, while brands offer better pay and creative freedom.
• Ageism in Fashion – Studios are filled with designers under 30, and career paths for women over 40 are nearly nonexistent.
• The Industry’s Broken Pipeline – Young designers either join big brands or struggle to launch their own—a middle path is missing.
• The Harsh Truth About Fashion’s Business Model – Many emerging designers can’t sustain their brands, despite industry hype.
• Fashion’s Double Standard on Sustainability – Big brands have the power to create real change, but it’s indie designers who often lead the charge.
• What’s Contemporary Now? – Long-term thinking—in an industry obsessed with speed, real impact comes from sustainability and intention.

Notable Quotes: 

• "The more we dig, the more we research, the deeper the void becomes. The more systemic issues we uncover, the more work there is to do."
• "Fashion has this reputation for being ruthless, but in my experience, the industry is full of incredibly generous people willing to help if you just ask."
• "We started 1Granary because we were panicking. We didn’t understand how the industry worked, and we realized no one around us did either."
• "Most young designers don’t fail because they’re not talented. They fail because the system isn’t built for them to succeed."
• "We used to believe press was the most important thing for a designer. Then we realized that means nothing if they can’t produce or sell their clothes."
• "We never cared about how many people followed us. We cared about who was following us. The right audience is worth more than a million likes."
• "Creative directors today aren’t just designers. They’re leading global businesses—brands bigger than churches. The job isn’t what it used to be."
• "Many young designers don’t want to build brands. They want to build altars to themselves. But that model doesn’t work anymore."
• "Everyone loves to talk about new ideas in fashion, but too often, they’re only talking about aesthetics. Real change is about business models, production, and sustainability."
• "What’s contemporary now? Long-term thinking. Creating with intention. The industry is obsessed with speed, but the future belongs to those who build for longevity."