Jeff Staple is offering up-and-coming designers a chance to take their brands to the next level.
Last week, the New York–based entrepreneur launched a three-week workshop that aims to educate fledgling creatives about the design process, as well as how to navigate the fashion business. Participants will have access to a curated curriculum that is broken up into three segments: “The Staples of Branding: Building a Company from Purpose to Product Class,” “The Definitive Guide to T-Shirt Design and Manufacturing,” and “Packaging Your Fashion Brand: Developing Hashtags, Labels, and More.”
At the end of the online course, designers will be asked to submit a final design project that abides by their brand ethos. A panel of judges will review the submissions and select three finalists who will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Agenda tradeshow in Las Vegas, where they will showcase their work among some of the biggest names in fashion. From there, Staple and a group of industry experts will pick a grand-prize winner, who will be given $10,000 to go toward the brand.
“I talk to a lot of young start up designers. And two things I hear that are consistent pain points are one, exposure to retailers and two, lack of funds,” Staple told Complex. “I’ve been brainstorming for a few years now how I could potentially solve both in one shot. Hence, this initiative with Skillshare and Agenda. Skillshare offers the ability for any creator, anywhere in world, to submit and get their brand not only in front of me, but in front of the whole massive Skillshare community.”
Staple went on to say that the purpose of the workshop was not only to educate those who are new to the fashion business, but to also level the playing field in a competitive market. “You don’t have to be popular or rich. I wanted it to be totally democratic. Agenda brings up the infrastructure to allow the brand to showcase in front of the world’s best retailers,” he said. “If you have the skills, your brand will make it to Las Vegas. We cover all the expense! Then finally, we’re gonna select the top brands in Vegas to award up to $10,000.00 to help with financing. It’s great to see this idea of mine finally come to fruition! Good luck to all who enter!”
You can learn more about the workshop at the Silkshare website.
