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Building a Fashion Brand for your community. High Costs, Limited Scale: What Actually Works [TBS 43]

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What does it really take to build a fashion brand when you’re not designing for the mainstream? We dive into a rarely discussed side of fashion retail…. serving minority and niche communities in Singapore and beyond. From functional fashion for modern mothers to heritage-driven design rooted in culture, our guests share the realities, risks, and quiet wins of building brands with purpose. This isn’t about fast fashion or hype. It’s about identity, sustainability, visibility, and survival in an industry where small brands fight to be seen. If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Why some local brands struggle to scale
  • How culture can be turned into everyday wear
  • Or what it takes to future-proof fashion from Singapore

…this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧Tune in to hear the stories behind the seams.

Highlights:

  • Why retailing to minority communities is both challenging and powerful
  • The real struggle of building local fashion brands in a global market
  • How heritage, sustainability, and functionality shape modern design
  • The role of physical retail vs digital platforms in brand growth
  • What Singapore fashion needs to stand out on the international stage
  • Can local brands one day scale through licensing or franchising?

Meet the Guests

  • Lily Hamid – Commercial Director, Singapore Fashion Council, Champions local designers through multi-label retail. Works closely with founders to bridge gaps in visibility and growth
  • Gillian Shen – Founder & Designer, Olive Basics, Builds functional womenswear for modern mothers. Focuses on longevity, versatility, and real-life problem solving
  • Aqilah Zailan – Founder & Designer, Studio Gypsied, Advocates heritage, slow fashion, and sustainability. Transforms traditional textiles into wearable, everyday pieces

Whether you’re a founder, creative, or conscious consumer, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at fashion with meaning.

What We Discuss:

  • 03:59 How would you describe the main role of a remisier?
  • 05:47 How does Tiger Brokers train modern remisiers today?
  • 07:58 How can humans add value when tech dominates trading?
  • 12:39 Why choose to be a remisier over a banker?
  • 16:23 How much do remisiers focus on client education today?
  • 21:03 How can remisiers give honest advice without losing income?
  • 25:59 How do remisiers keep integrity in a commission system?
  • 30:24 What value does a Investment Representative add to customers who are used to trading on their own?
  • 32:17 What mentality makes a good remisier today?
  • 35:25 Is the profession still profitable?
  • 41:33 How will the profession transform moving forward?

Episode Resources:


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