From quaint ancient city walls to narrow medieval stone lanes, York City in the United Kingdom has an unrivalled history and heritage. The city, however, is not limited to historical significance in today’s world. Despite the unprecedented times, it has seen a burst of startups in the past year, carving out a niche for themselves in the ever-dynamic fashion industry. These startups bring together creativity, innovation, and an urge to challenge the status-quo to redefine the fashion industry. Positioned at the juncture of tradition and contemporary culture, these startups indicate the future of fashion in the UK and perhaps the world.
The fashion startups based out of York are up to big things. From personalising shoes using AI to revolutionising apparel manufacturing by eliminating environmental harm, these startups are delivering solutions that resonant with present and the coming generation. They effortlessly match the fast pace of sphere, efficient trend predictions, seamless online retail experiences, high quality athleisure wear, self expression through clothing and accessories, community platforms, eCommerce solutions, and contemporary yet elegant shoe designs cater to the varied needs of the consumers.
In this article we introduce some of the new age startups born in 2020 in the fashion industry based out of York. Presenting a snapshot of their journey so far, it gives an idea of what to expect in this fast growing industry. Their work and growth trajectory is a testament to what the world might expect from UK startups in the post-pandemic world.
Simplifyber
Founded by Maria Intscher and Philip Cohen, Simplifyber is on a mission to transform the fashion industry by revolutionising the apparel manufacturing process. The company aims to convert the age-old factory system into an environment-friendly process, to mitigate the industry’s adverse effects. Their presence spans across advanced materials, chemical engineering, clean-tech, fashion, manufacturing, and sustainability sectors. Connect with them on their LinkedIn page.
Fashinza
Fashinza is a B2B platform co-founded by Abhishek Sharma, Jamil Ahmad, and Pawan Gupta. The company utilises Artificial Intelligence for trend forecasting and sourcing, facilitating more efficient operations for fashion brands and retailers. Stay updated through their Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.
iambic
Co-founded by Chaudhry Raza Hassan and Maeve Wang, iambic combines art and technology to create customised shoes. This startup is catering to a unique market and provides a blend of creativity, science, and craftsmanship, which is reflected in the quality of their products. More about them on their LinkedIn page.
Halara
Established by Joyce Zhang, Halara is an online athleisure business. The company provides high-quality athleisure clothing at a reasonable price. Their products cater to a wide range of audience and have already created a buzz in the market. Connect with them on their LinkedIn page.
PLAY OUT APPAREL
PLAY OUT APPAREL, a company founded by Abby Sugar embraces the values of Gen Z consumers. It’s not just an apparel business but a brand symbolising self-expression and equality. Abby has been profiled in Forbes and the New York Times among others. Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and their LinkedIn page.
The Reflective
The Reflective is an apparel and fashion startup based in New York, founded in 2020. Their unique clothing line aims to empower women. They are on a mission to reshape the fashion narrative by focusing on wearables and retail sectors. Connect with them on LinkedIn.
DOWNKORE
Founded by James Chaplin, DOWNKORE offers a first-of-its-kind community platform for dancers. It provides a unique experience allowing users to browse among the most famous dancers across the globe. Stay connected through their Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
UjuuMedia
UJUU is an eCommerce platform and brand holding company, founded by Kelechi Uju in 2020. Their vision intends to create a best-in-class shopping experience for a global community of black and brown women. Get more updates through their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
Larroude
Larroude is a fashion retail startup that, in conjunction with e-commerce, specialises in shoe designs. Their contemporary yet elegant shoe designs cater to a wide range of consumers. Keep up with them through their Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
Eternate
Eternate is a luxury jewelry manufacturer and retailer. It is known for its stunning and unique designs, top quality metals, and detailed craftsmanship. Their products stand out due to their extraordinary and timeless beauty.
Denimist
Denimist offers a range of clothing items, including shorts, sweaters, shirts, dresses, jeans, blazers, and sweatshirts. Their products reflect a fine blend of comfort and style. Connect with them on Facebook and LinkedIn.
