CSS Lab is a forward-thinking fashion incubator, accelerator, and production partner, designed to empower emerging designers and startup brands.

It is part of Creative Sample Studio (CSS) a London-based innovation hub with over 100 years of combined experience across fashion production, design, marketing, and strategy.

We don’t just offer advice we provide hands-on support and implementation across every stage of building a brand. Our lab merges creativity, strategy, and execution, delivering a full ecosystem for sustainable fashion growth.

What sets us apart is our end-to-end service model, including:

Sampling & Production

Collection Development (1 to 1000+ garments)

Sales & Marketing Strategy

Financial & Commercial Strategy

Web3 Integration & Tech Innovation

Sustainability Consulting

Styling & Creative Direction

CSS LAB x CREATIVE SAMPLE STUDIO

We are looking for visionary designers, creative entrepreneurs, and emerging labels who are ready to take their ideas to the next level. Whether you’re launching your first capsule collection or scaling an existing brand, you should have a clear vision, a commitment to quality, and a readiness to collaborate.

Who are we looking for?.

How will participants be selected?

Participants will be selected by our advisory panel of fashion professionals, industry insiders, and CSS Lab founders. We review:

  • The strength and originality of your concept

  • Portfolio or collection samples

  • Your growth potential and market awareness

  • Readiness for acceleration and strategic support

  • Yes! While our headquarters are in London, we work with clients internationally, across Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

    Remote participants can join via digital sessions, and optional on-site visits are available for fittings or content production.

  • The Lab runs over 1 YEAR tailored to your tier and brand needs.

    Expect a weekly touchpoint with our team, access to regular mentorship, and milestones structured around production, marketing, and launch readiness

CSS LAB TIERS

Starting during autumn 2025, our 12-month journey blends creative direction, technical development, and commercial readiness, supported by leading industry mentors and ecosystem partners.

Whether you're refining your first samples or scaling an existing label, this timeline ensures that every step, from sustainability to storytelling, is aligned with your long-term growth.

  • Coming Soon

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CSS LAB ALL-IN-ONE SUPPORT

Design & Collection Development

Design support & overview

Sample development, pattern cutting, technical support, fittings, prototypes, final samples, tech pack creation.

Sustainability

Sustainability support.

Strategy sessions.

Reports & plan of action

Web 3 + Smart DPP

Digital Product Passport (DPP) development.

Smart tagging for traceability and authenticity.

Marketing & Communications

Marketing team support & strategy sessions.

Brand Platform (USP, Brand Concept).

Market & Customer research.

Art Direction Support.

Production

Production strategy.

Fabric sourcing.

Production plan.

PR & Influencer

PR Team Support

Strategy sessions.

Plan of action.

Comercial Strategy

Range plan, pricing strategy, support commercial strategy.

Logistics

Shipping coordination and delivery tracking.

Inventory management and fulfilment planning.

VS. FRAGMENTED COSTS

DESIGNER/PATTERN CUTTER – £3,000–£6,000+

SAMPLING STUDIO – £2,000–£5,000+

CREATIVE DIRECTOR – £3,000–£8,000

PHOTOGRAPHER/STYLIST TEAM – £5,000–£10,000

BRAND STRATEGIST – £3,000+

PR + STORYTELLING SUPPORT – £2,000–£5,000+

SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – £2,000+

WEB3/DIGITAL ADVISOR – £1,500–£4,000+

Board of Advisory

Bosse Myhr is a retail and brand expert currently leading womenswear and menswear buying at Selfridges, with previous experience at Dover Street Market. At CSS LAB, he advises on brand selection, scaling strategies, and retail readiness, helping emerging designers navigate commercial success and growth milestones.

Bosse

Hetty Mahlich is a fashion journalist and curator at SHOWstudio. At CSS LAB, she leads storytelling and cultural conversation strategies, guiding how brands communicate their narratives while identifying promising new voices and driving editorial innovation.

Hetty

Liliana Sanguino is a fashion educator and mentor focused on nurturing diverse, high-potential talent. At CSS LAB, she shapes educational resources, develops workshops, and supports curriculum building—bridging emerging creativity with industry-ready skills and inclusive development.

Liliana

Meng is the founder of ARXY.io and a specialist in digital innovation within fashion. At CSS LAB, he advises on integrating emerging technologies, guiding brands in digital transformation, virtual platforms, and tech-enabled storytelling to ensure future readiness.

Meng

Massimiliano Giornetti is the Director of Polimoda and a seasoned fashion leader with extensive creative direction experience, including at Salvatore Ferragamo. At CSS LAB, he brings global educational insight, advising on talent development, international academic partnerships, and the evolving needs of next-generation designers.

Massimiliano

Harriet Posner is a brand strategist, educator, and author specializing in fashion marketing and positioning. At CSS Lab, she advises emerging designers on how to build clear and compelling brand foundations, refining their positioning, value propositions, and audience alignment using both academic and industry insight.

Harriet