Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Showroom for?
Showroom is for “emerging” designers. By definition, that means "becoming apparent" and are in the process of establishing their brands.
What is offered in Showroom?
Showroom will provide emerging designers with dedicated brand consulting, workshops, professional photography, experiential video and a place within the online Showroom platform to sell their garments. Full benefits include:
Two (2) dedicated brand consulting 1-on-1's to discuss positioning + brand marketing, art direction, styling and production of shoot for their collection
Four (4) group workshops
Retouching and editing of images and video with unrestricted rights of use
Copywriting support for their overall brand as well as products within each collection
Design of Showroom Lookbook - you get a hardcopy to keep!
Promotional features on Style412 socials + newsletter spotlight
Online e-commerce shop to sell your products
What are the requirements to apply?
You must have a ready-to-wear collection (minimum of 5 pieces) at the time of application.
You must be able to fulfill orders as they're placed, and replace inventory as needed. This means no one of a kind pieces.
Your brand name must be registered with an EIN (in order to receive payment of sales).
You should have a vision or goals for your brand and collection. Does your brand have a need and potentially benefit from services offered? Then, you qualify!
Do I have to live in Pittsburgh to participate?
Style412’s mission is to support Pittsburgh-area designers and businesses, so yes, your business should be based in Pittsburgh or surrounding areas. As part of the program benefits, you will receive photography of your collection and you must be able to drive to location.
What does the “5 piece collection” requirement entail? Does that mean 5 styles?
Collections are generally separate styles, so ideally, 5 separate items is preferred, but not required.
I am a jewelry/handbag/accessory designer. Can I apply?
If you can wear it and style it as part of an outfit, then yes! You can apply!
How about home goods, furniture, or ceramics?
Sorry, no, this program is for fashion goods. However, be sure to check out other programs, such as Creative Business Accelerator’s Next Leap Program!
Do I need a sample of each item in my Collection prior to applying? Or does it need to be an item that is already being offered for sale or already being manufactured?
The objective is that your item must be available for purchase by Showroom launch. So, you should have a completely finished sample available by the start of the program (May); this sample should be close-up photo-ready. You should have your product pattern and production plan completed by the time Showroom launches (July).
If we have multiple lines, can you help us decide which of our lines would do best?
Yes! Curating your Collection is part of the Showroom program!
What do you mean by “preparing for market”?
A goal of the digital accelerator program is to prepare and give designers the tools they need to succeed post-accelerator. Specifically, this accelerator program is for those who have perhaps not thought about the branding and marketing aspects of their business, but have garments and products ready to sell. By “preparing for market,” we are referring to all the branding / marketing aspects that designers and business’ at-large have to put in place prior to and in the process of making their goods available publicly.
Does “preparing for market” include contacting retailers?
No, contacting retailers is not an express component of the program. However, this program will prepare your brand and your products to be market-ready, by empowering you with the brand identity and creative assets needed to contact retailers.
Do I have to guarantee minimums in order to fulfill orders and replace inventory?
No, but we do want to offer delivery of your product to customers in a reasonable time, so we recommend having 3-6 pieces of each item ready once Showroom is live.
Is there assistance for those not selected?
We understand how hard it can be to be an emerging designer and entrepreneur! We are happy to work with you to understand where your business currently stands and leverage our broad network of industry contacts to point you in the right direction.
Will the meetings be mostly during evenings?
Once designers are accepted, we will send out a Doodle poll to find days(s) and times(s) that work best for everyone and ask that you make every effort to attend each session.
I don’t always have a reliable internet connection or access to a webcam. Can I still qualify for Showroom?
Absolutely. While we are not able to subsidize a laptop, smartphone, or WiFi, we are happy to work with you to ensure you are able to participate in all workshops and events.