London-based menswear designer, Bianca Saunders, has urged emerging fashion entrepreneurs to build their brands with purpose, financial discipline and authenticity.
She made this call at the 2025 GTCO Fashion Weekend, where show kicked off the first Master Class of this year’s edition with the theme: “The Business of Creativity; Scaling a Fashion Brand Beyond Wholesale.”
The acclaimed designer, celebrated for her innovative fusion of British tailoring and Jamaican heritage, shared her journey from a one-woman operation in her family home to becoming an international fashion success.
Speaking during the session, Saunders emphasised the importance of having a clear “why” before venturing into the fashion industry.
“You want to create something that’s new but also with purpose. What is the point of making it, to be stylish or to inspire people who speak to your world? Having a strong reason for what you do is really important,” she said.
Saunders, a graduate of the Royal College of Art, launched her eponymous label in 2017 and has since earned major global recognitions, including the ANDAM Grand Prix and the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund.
Her collections, showcased in London and Paris, have been widely praised for reimagining masculinity and advancing gender-fluid aesthetics.
Reflecting on her early days, Saunders recounted how she turned her bedroom into a sewing studio, managing production with a single intern.
“I started with one sewing machine. It was just me and my intern making all the pieces. That experience taught me resilience and resourcefulness,” she said.
She advised young designers to be prudent with finances and avoid taking on loans too early in their journey. “Fashion and money can go very quickly. It’s a very expensive industry. You need to be cautious about how you manage your finances, only take loans when it’s absolutely necessary,” Saunders cautioned.
On maintaining a professional brand image, Saunders encouraged small designers to project excellence through digital presence and presentation. “Looking big doesn’t mean pretending. It’s about being professional, from your visuals to how your brand aligns with others you aspire to stand beside,” she added.