The Fashion Accelerator Seminar Series
The Fashion Accelerator programme, powered by PVH, launched it’s six week seminar series where the selected mentees were able to learn insider tools from industry experts. Each guest speaker discussed a topic around their field of work, from finance to sustainability, everything these young entrepreneurs need to know.
“Each week we learned something new, although each talk was focused around building a brand, we were given the opportunity to introduce ourselves to each guest lecture. This allowed them to tailor their advice and skills to the brands that were involved in this years cohort, which was super beneficial as the advice for me slightly differed as a freelancer. It was so helpful and has allowed me to move forward and approach the industry like the standalone brand I am, my skills, my practice and what I offer/bring to the creative industry.”
Specialist HR Consultancy For Founder-led Creative SMEs, With Holly Tonks
Holly Tonks is a HR Director at JourneyHR, and has 10+ years experience in HR working with brands such as: 111SKIN, British Fashion Council, Yeo Valley, Oatly, Aroma Zone, Pip and Nut, Humantra, Jamie Oliver and Roche Bobois. She explores HR growth tracks for an emerging brand, employment types and interns through her talk. Holly opened discussion with the mentees around topics including legal considerations, where she talked through various case studies and resources to share her expertise to the young business owners.
Fashion & Sustainability, With Sam Quashie-Idun
Sam Quashie-Idun is the Head of Investigations at Greenpeace Africa. As an experienced Investigative Journalist, Presenter, and Producer, Sam has worked for major news outlets like CNN, NBC News and Sky News. In 2024, he authored the groundbreaking report “Fast Fashion, Slow Poison: The Toxic Textile Crisis in Ghana”, highlighting the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. With a focus on the intersection of fashion and the environment, Sam offered his expertise and explored sustainability, climate change, and social justice in his seminar.
Beyond Social: Building a Digital Ecosystem People Trust, With Kate Greenstock
Kate is a Research and Design Director at Here I Am Studio, specialising in service design and design research for the social impact sector. She focuses on creating digital products and services through co-creation, user involvement and feedback to ensure accessibility and meaningful impact. With over five years leading design teams at Here I Am Studio (and previously Maido), she has delivered a range of projects centered on inclusive, user-led design. Kate delivered a passionate talk about using design to support digital services that ‘include the excluded’.
Making the most of the programme from a Brand Founder & Previous Fashion Accelerator cohort member, Flavia Nistor
Flavia Nistor is a previous member of the Fashion Accelerator Programme, she shared her experience and the process of moving into luxury and responsible fashion design. Now the Founder of FlaviaNís, she designs and produces her own clothing pieces; collaborating with specialists in sewing, digital pattern cutting, photography, and marketing to further develop her creative and industry practice. She recently completed “The Modern Artisan” programme in collaboration with NET-A-PORTER and The King’s Foundation, where she contributed to the development of a sustainable luxury collection focused on craftsmanship and ethical production.
Retail, E-commerce & New Types Of Business, With George Hill
George Hill began his career on the shop floor before moving into buying at Urban Outfitters EMEA at age 21, progressing into leadership roles across buying, design, planning, and supply chain. He later became Head of Technology at URBN, and in 2025, founded AROSE, a consultancy helping fashion and retail businesses scale by aligning people and technology to support creative growth. George shared his experience as a founder and offered his expertise on retail and starting a new business.
The Tourists & The Purists With Joel Adebayo
Joel Adebayo is the co-founder & programme director of Not Just Another Store (2017-2024) - a concept retail and experiential platform. He also founded Not Just Another Agency - a talent and brand strategy at the intersection of music, fashion and culture. His diverse portfolio includes campaigns for Ayra Starr, Uncle Waffles, Asake, alongside partnerships with Louis Vuitton, Wales Bonner, Martine Rose. Joel explored his theory of Tourists & Purists and how building a community is imperative to starting your own brand.
“Culture leads commerce” was one of the most impactful insights I took away from Joel’s seminar session.
As an emerging designer, I am often taught to focus on developing strong concepts and creating visually compelling outcomes. However, building a brand requires a different mindset. A successful brand is not only defined by its creative vision but also by its ability to connect with people.
The session made me realise that establishing a meaningful relationship between a brand and its audience should be the starting point of the process. Before thinking about products or commercial success, it is important to understand the culture, community, and values that the brand represents. When that connection is authentic, commerce can follow naturally.”
“Having the space weekly for everyone to come together through the seminars was something I always looked forward to. Having the opportunity to learn directly from industry in such a 1 to 1 environment was really valuable.”
“It was amazing how everything that seemed intimidating was simplified and explained in a very transparent way. It was such a comfortable and open space; there was no shame in asking ‘stupid’ questions.”
