Question 1

What does a fashion consultancy actually do?

Accepted Answer

We take an idea and turn it into product that's ready for production. That means concept, brand direction, design, technical packs, fabric and trim sourcing, sampling, manufacturer selection, and quality control through to delivery.

Question 2

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Founders launching a brand from scratch. Established names exploring a new category. Technical apparel brands that need a senior eye on development. We work across menswear, womenswear, swim, sportswear, leather, footwear, accessories, and home.

Question 3

How much does it cost to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Three tiers. Studio Session — £750 ex VAT for a 90-minute session plus written direction document. Project Work — from £1,000 ex VAT for single-scope briefs. Full Service — from £10,000 ex VAT for end-to-end consultancy.

Question 4

What's the difference between Studio Session, Project Work, and Full Service?

Accepted Answer

Studio Session is for one focused conversation with senior judgement and a written direction document. Project Work is for a discrete piece of work delivered to a defined scope. Full Service is for brands ready to commit to a longer engagement across a season or a launch.

Question 5

How long does it take to develop a fashion collection?

Accepted Answer

Six to twelve months for a first collection from concept to ready-to-sell, depending on complexity and category. Performance and technical apparel often takes longer. Repeat seasons for established brands move faster.

Question 6

Do I need a tech pack? What is it?

Accepted Answer

A tech pack is the document that tells a factory how to make your product — measurements, construction notes, stitch types, fabric specs, label placement. If the tech pack is wrong, the sample is wrong, the production run is wrong. Yes, you need one.

Question 7

Where are you based and do you work internationally?

Accepted Answer

We're based in London — Cocoa Studios, SE16, by appointment only. Production runs across European mills and factories — we've worked with partners in Italy, Japan, Spain, France, the UK, Portugal, and Uruguay.

Question 8

Do you do digital fashion and 3D?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We develop garments in 3D before sampling — cuts cost, lead time, and material waste. The same workflow produces photorealistic CGI for campaigns, lookbooks, and e-commerce without a physical shoot.

Question 9

Can you help me find a manufacturer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sourcing is one of the most common Project Work briefs we get. We match brands to mills and factories based on category, MOQs, technical requirements, and budget — across our European network and beyond.

Question 10

Do you work with new brands or only established ones?

Accepted Answer

Both. LUCA, Kozha, and BRÓG were all founder-stage when we started. Casa Marané has been an established client for ten-plus years. Some brands grow from one tier of work to another.

Question 11

How do I start working with you?

Accepted Answer

Email info@jameshillman.co.uk with a short brief — what the project is, what stage you're at, what you need. We'll come back within one working day with whether it's a Studio Session, Project Work, or Full Service fit.

Question 12

How long has James Hillman Fashion Consultancy been running?

Accepted Answer

Founded in 2012 — fourteen years as an independent consultancy. James personally has twenty years of fashion industry experience, including early career roles in Milan under Elio Fiorucci, Balmain in Paris, BCBG in the South of France, and with Korean designer Moon Young Hee. We've worked across menswear, womenswear, swim, sportswear, leather, accessories, and technical apparel.

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