Fashion Accelerator Pathway
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Expert guidance to build your fashion label — one clear step at a time.
Do you have a fashion business idea that you have been dreaming about for a long time, but you keep hitting roadblocks?
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You’ve either got a fashion label idea… or you've already started, but now realise just how much is involved.
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You want real, honest answers about what it takes — and what it will cost — to bring your idea to life properly.
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You don’t want another course.
You want someone in your corner who can guide you — step by step — through the real industry process.
The Smarter Way to Start Your Fashion Label
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Plan your collection, pricing, sourcing, and timeline — with expert support guiding you through every step.
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Avoid costly mistakes and save thousands by getting it right from the start. Â
Stage One
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The Foundation for Your Fashion Business Success
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Fashion Illustration Consultation
Have a head full of ideas, reference images, or sample garments? You will work with a senior designer who will translate your vision into clear, technical fashion illustrations. This allows us to confidently move forward with accurate tech packs, quotes, and sampling - ensuring your ideas are understood from day one.
Fabric & Trim Sourcing
We'll source your fabrics and trims and help you discover the best local suppliers and guide you in future sourcing endeavors, including those unexpected elements that can bring your garment to life - even if you’re not sure what to look for yet.
Development Quotes
Knowing how much development will cost - from patterns to ready for production - is essential. We’ll help you get clear quotes so you can plan realistically and prioritise the right styles within your budget.
Manufacturing Price Guidance
We'll explore manufacturing options with you, even before you commit to development, both locally and offshore, to ensure you understand your price points and production possibilities from the start.
Budget Review & Cost Strategy
We'll analyse your development and production costs in a way you understand and align them with your overall budget. With our industry experience, we’ll help you create a plan that balances your vision, budget, and long-term business goals - whether that’s 1, 5, or 10 years ahead.
Critical Path & Timeline Planning
It’s impossible to launch with confidence without a realistic pathway & timeline. We’ll guide you step-by-step through what needs to happen, when - so you know exactly how long things take and when to start each part of the process to stay on track.
Customer Segment Identification
Together, we’ll define your ideal customer so your design, messaging, and product strategy are aligned. This makes communication and decision-making easier and sampling more successful so everyone understands your vision for fantastic results.
Design Concept Consultation
We’ll review and refine your design ideas with professional feedback to ensure your concept is both creative and commercially viable.
Tech Pack Creation Consultation
You’ll be guided on what goes into a tech pack and how to prepare for your design meeting so your development can proceed smoothly and accurately.
Sizing & Grading Development
Work with a senior garment technician to build your size range and set the foundation for consistent fit across your collection - critical for customer satisfaction and brand growth.
Revenue Planning & RRP Strategy
We’ll help you price your garments for profit, balancing design, fabric choice, and your brand positioning - so your retail pricing supports your long-term growth.
Final Collection Board & Readiness Checklist
At the end of Step 1, you’ll receive a professionally designed collection board with fashion illustrations, a clear range plan, and a checklist confirming you are ready to move into development.
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This stage is designed to give you everything you need before you commit to development or production.
Without this foundation, you are often guessing at costs, timelines, and fit - and that can get expensive, fast. We’re here to help you make informed decisions early, while there is still time to make adjustments that save you time, money, and heartache.
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This isn't a course.
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This is a professional support to help you build your label - one confident step at a time.
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Let's make your label real - without the overwhelm.
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You don't have to do it alone.Â
Hi, I'm Julia Van der Sommen.
 Over 15yrs I've worked with 1000's of designers just like you.
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I've got the knowledge and know how to help you to bring your idea to life.

Not a course. Not a DIY program.
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This is a one-on-one guided process led by senior industry professionals.
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You’ll work directly with an experienced fashion designer and project manager to map out your vision, make decisions with confidence, and understand exactly what’s involved in developing and producing your garments — without jumping into the deep end.
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We’ll take you from “I think I’ve got a good idea” to:
✅  “I know who it’s for”
✅ “I understand what it takes”
✅ “I’ve got set quotes for development and production, timelines, and a plan”
âś…Â I've got designs, professional drawn and ready for anyone to take to the next stage.
✅ “I know whether I’m ready to move forward — and when I’m not.”
This is for you if
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If you confused about where to start.
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If you scared of not knowing the costs.
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If you have tried an overseas manufacturer, but the samples are not right, and communication is too difficult.
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If you are frustrated that people just don't answer your calls or seem disinterested in working with you.
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You started development but did not get the results you wanted, and you're frustrated that it all seems a bit too hard.
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If you can't decide if you should manufacture locally or if it is cheaper overseas.
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Or your overseas manufacturer increased their minimums and you can't afford to make that commitment?
This is what others have said about working with Sample Room

Nicole Stanners
Muze
Sample Room have been fantastic in helping me to develop my sportswear start up. Firstly, the Fashion Label Launchpad was perfect to build my knowledge, having come from a non fashion corporate marketing background. Secondly, the process of developing quite a technical range has been a dream. When you are new to this industry, it is so difficult to navigate and find good suppliers, production, pattern makers etc and Sample Room makes this so much easier.

Yolande Iyer
Lola Sparkle
Being new to the fashion industry, I was not sure where to start and everything just seemed so overwhelming initially. Doing the Sample Room mentorship program has been so helpful in guiding me though the whole process. Having a resource base with such extensive knowledge of the fashion industry has been wonderful and I’m looking forward excitedly to the rest of my journey to production.

Jessie Wadeson
Love Jessie
 Sample Room, and all of the beautiful staff that work there, helped me work through my ideas, my barriers and issues, helped bring my ideas to life and finally produced my garments. You could say they are my “one stop shop” which was something I was looking for as I am also busy with work and juggling a young family. I underwent the fashion label launchpad program where I got all of the foundational knowledge I needed to get off the ground. As Sample Room also made our garments, I can wholeheartedly say that the garments are made with so much love and attention to detail. Every single piece is perfect. If you are starting out like I was, I recommend Sample Room for all of your needs!Â
Why a staged approach works
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Most fashion businesses don’t fail because the product was bad — they fail because the planning wasn’t right.
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We’ve seen so many designers pour money into development before they’re clear on fabric sourcing, budgets, margins, or even whether their idea is viable.
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This pathway is designed to de-risk the process.
You won’t be asked to commit to development or production until:
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- You love your product
- You’re happy with the price point
- You’re confident about your fabric, price, and margins

Marilena Di Florio
Marilena Di Florio
Joining the Sample Room program not only provided me with the mentorship that I needed to get my brand off the ground and launch my first range, it provided me with a sense of community and a fashion family that you don’t get when working on your own. The monthly calls are full of so much information and are a great way to network with likeminded people who are at the same stage of the journey.
The whole Sample Room team have been invaluable with their knowledge and support and sharing of information. I am very excited to work together on future ranges.
My only regret is not doing the mentoring program sooner.

Shape of Eve
Natasha Gan
I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve with my mix and match bikini label Shape of Eve, but not having any experience in fashion or retail, I had no idea where to start. Without Sample Room and the assistance of Julia and Kate, I would not have gotten as far as I have. There are a lot of moving parts throughout the journey of developing your product, so be prepared for quite a bit of back and forth in order to make those changes. What I was impressed with (with Sample Room) was having the course in place to help manage your expectations from the start. I have been so grateful that Sample Room have been there every step of the way and have held my hand throughout the process. Manage your expectations is my tip going into this, it's not easy or cheap starting your own label, but without Sample Room I would have spent more time and money trying to work it out.

Harry and Pop
Lauren Kennedy
If you're looking to start a fashion label but you're overwhelmed by what's involved Sample Room will walk you through the process step-by-step, holding your hand the entire way. I had a dream to start a children's swimwear label but with a background in PR I was drowning in an industry I knew very little about (and making plenty of costly mistakes along the way). The lovely ladies at Sample Room helped make my dreams a reality and a year later we launched a beautiful/high quality/ecofriendly and ethical range. I honestly couldn't have done it without Sample Room. The support/guidance/advice I received was priceless. And with my 'official' program complete the girls are still happy to answer any question I have and continue to mentor me today.
What happens after Stage 1?
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Once you’ve completed Stage 1 and feel confident in your plan, you can choose to move into:
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Stage 2: Bringing Your Designs to Life
This is where the pattern making, sample management, supplier communication and timeline control.
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Stage 3: Production to Launch
Includes pre-production sign-off, production management, QC, and logistics.
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Or — you can pause and come back when you're ready.
You're never locked in.
Stage One
The Foundation for Your Fashion Business Success
It includes
- 1 on 1 guided process with senior designer & project manager
- Fashion Illustration Consultation
- Fabric & Trim Sourcing
- Development Quotes
- Manufacturing Price Guidance
- Budget Review & Cost Strategy
- Critical Path & Timeline Planning
- Customer Segment Identification
- Design Concept Consultation
- Tech Pack Creation Consultation
- Sizing & Grading Development
- Revenue Planning & RRP Strategy
- Final Collection Board & Readiness Checklist
This stage is $2700
Stage Two
Bringing Your Design to Life Locally
It Includes
- Communication & Management with local pattern maker
- Communication & management of sample machinists
- Fabric and trim consultation
- Managing timelines for your project
- Solving technical problems quickly for the perfect sample
- Checking design details to spec
- Special resources to help you understand fashion development
- Budget and profit update
- Size range & Grade Standardization
- Production Readiness Check
- Labelling consultation with suppliers
- Heat transfer consultation and suppliersÂ
This stage is $1600
Stage Three
Production to Launch
It Includes
- Ratio and fabric usage sign off
- Pre-Production sample sign off
- Factory selection for your product
- Production Management
- Manufacturing management and communication
- Local Production Quality Control
- Fabric QC and production management
- On-Site Factory Inspections
- Production QC
- Logistics Quotation
- Offshore and Local Logistics Management
- Final Quality Checks
- Production Tracking
This stage is $1600
Kate Smith
Thanks so much Julia for a great presentation.
Really informative and you have a great style of engaging us, and demonstrating your expertise.
Greta Morton
Amazing knowledge!
We were very impressed. Thank you.
Warren Hargeaves
Was very informative , thank you.
Lots of information and lots to take in.
Well definitely be in contact soon.