As this is the first post in our brand spankin’ new blog, I thought it would be fitting to write a short entry about what we’re doing with FashionStake, why we’re doing it and how you can be a part of a new movement in fashion.

The ‘what we’re doing’ part is pretty simple. We’re launching a crowdfunding platform for fashion designers. You log in, buy a 'FashionStake' for $50 and get free clothes and cash when the designers sells their collections on our site. Think of us as the Biracy of fashion.

The 'why we're doing it' is pretty powerful. Firstly, we think big banks and large, greedy retailers are robbing the fashion community blind! So many talented designers lack access to proper funding. If they somehow manage to scrape up enough cash to produce a collection and sell at wholesale, it's the retailers that capture most of the value. FashionStake's 'fan-funded' approach cuts out the retailer and turns customers into supporters. When a collection sells on FashionStake.com, we return the revenues to those who deserve it: our designers and people who support those designers (minus a small percentage to FashionStake).

Secondly, we're democratizing creativity. You may or may not know this, but much of your wardrobe was chosen for you by a handful of Bloomingdales/Nordstrum/Macys/Neiman Marcus (etc) buyers. Along with the traditional fashion press, they have dictated what designers produce for decades. Fortunately, the world is moving beyond the closed 'publisher-as-gatekeeper' models (or in this case, 'retailer-as-gatekeeper') and fashion is no exception. More choice for all!

Finally, FashionStaking is fun! We think FashionStake is an uber-cool way for fans to engage with their fave designers and participate in the oft-secretive creative process- AND get rewarded for it.... the internet is making this happen!

That leaves us with the last bit- the 'how you can be part'. Well for now, its pretty simple- register your email on our website and we'll send you updates and special offers before our launch date (later this year). Then sit back and enjoy democratizing fashion with us!