Lately, I’ve seen more conversations online about the “high” prices of small businesses compared to fast fashion. As someone who’s been exposed to both sides of the industry, I can tell you there’s a very real reason behind the difference.
Fast fashion is built on speed, volume, and cost-cutting. The system is designed to move product, not to pay fairly. Small brands, on the other hand, operate in a completely different ecosystem — one that values craftsmanship, relationships, and responsibility.
When you buy from a small brand, you’re not just paying for a product. You’re paying for the pattern maker who brought the design to life, the factory team working in safe conditions, the local dye house, the quality control check before shipment, the designer who managed every step and yes, the operations manager ensuring all of it runs smoothly.
That chain of hands deserves to be compensated.
Fast fashion brands can “afford” not to charge more for their garments because they have a tendency to knock off patterns that were perfected by someone else and use materials that are less than stellar quality.
For small brands, pricing isn’t about profit, it’s about survival and sustainability. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about what actually goes into pricing, production systems, and how independent designers can build ethical, scalable businesses that last. If you want to understand the real cost of making fashion sustainable, this is your moment to tune in.
✨ If you’re ready to stop guessing your margins and start owning your pricing structure now, explore the resources available inside Oceo Luxe Systems Studio.