The free taster session can be viewed below:

 
Monday 8- Friday 12 November 2021

Virtual course, hosted on Zoom (Zoom link will be sent to participants close to the start of the date)

5 day virtual course with lifestyle specialist Marcella Echavarria and Selvedge Magazine founder Polly Leonard. 

This one-week intensive e-course is specially designed for artisan brands who are finding ways to potentialise their brand, tell relevant stories, design, merchandise, and sell their products during and after COVID. The course will provide the tool necessary to create or enhance your brand, products, and digital storytelling.

Marcella Echavarria has 25 years of hands-on, first-hand experience in starting businesses, establishing bridges between cultures and people, and integrating sustainability and profitability. She founded SURevolution in 2005, one of the first global brands to link the world of luxury with handmade.  In 2010 she started her consulting firm focused on branding and creative communication. She holds a bachelor from Brown University, a masters in sustainable development from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and a career in the publishing world as editor of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Hand Eye and contributor to many others such as Selvedge, Vogue, House and Leisure, Trend Tablet and Wall Paper, among many others.Her clients include individual creators, artisanal brands, textile related brands, retail concepts, and travel companies, among others. She has led consulting projects for The United Nations (UN), Unesco, USAID, Technoserve, The International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Organization of American States (OAS), Porticus Foundation, The Governments of Colombia, Chile, Cambodia, México, Perú, and Swaziland. 

Find out more about Marcella at www.marcellaechavarria.com

Polly Leonard is the Founder of Selvedge, an internationally renowned textile magazine that was launched in 2003. From its modest beginning as a one-off publication created in Polly’s front room, the magazine revolutionised the way textiles are presented and quickly became the world’s leading textile publication. It now has a readership of over 75,000 and a dedicated international following. As well as a magazine, Polly has since launched an online and bricks and mortar shop, seasonal artisan fairs and creative collaborations with the likes of Liberty, Anthropologie, The National Trust, and the V&A. Polly has specialist knowledge in all aspects of textiles, with a particular interest in the role textiles has played in the evolution of humanity. Her own textile practice encompasses using weaving embroidery and basketry techniques to produce none functional sculptural forms. She has taught and lectured around the world from high school to adults. Selvedge combines her passions for social history, fine art and craft.

Find out more about Polly at www.selvedge.org/pages/about-us

Course Cancellation Policy
All places reserved on courses are non-refundable, however, if you let us know you are not able to make a course you have booked at least two weeks prior to the event, we will re-advertise your place and refund your fee as long as we are able to sell your place and the course is fully booked. 

FAQ's

1. Who is the course for?
Entrepreneurs from the global handmade world in different stages of their projects. From people developing an idea, to established brand owners looking for a “one stop shop” where they can get an overview of all the areas of an artisanal business from a branding point of view.

2. There are thousands of online courses, what makes this one different?

• This course is personalised, it is a doing course that requires commitment, action and calls for accountability.
• This course invites participants to show up.
• We offer individual mentorship through the course and a one-to-one dedicated session with each of the instructors at the end.
• Starting with the course in March, we will have a Facebook group for updated trend info, bonus teachings and general community interaction.

3. Why is it only limited to ten participants?
Because we guarantee that there will be individual attention to every participant.

4. What are some of the main take-aways from the course

• The group interaction is very valuable.
• State of the art trend information.
• The holistic nature of the course that involves intentionality, mindset and strategy.

5. What are some milestones achieved by previous participants in the course:

• I was able to successfully launch my brand without being overwhelmed. I knew the steps, the tactics and most importantly, the overall strategy.”
• I answered many ethical questions I had about production practices, cultural appropriation and body positivity.
• I could finally develop a marketing plan that matches my lifestyle.
• I was able to choose the area of my business with most potential and focus on that.
• I understood communication on social media as my window on fifth avenue.

6. What do people say about the course?
“When I completed the course, Crafting Your Brand, with Polly Leonard and Marcella Echavarria, I felt encouraged and energized beyond my expectations. These extraordinary leaders provided valuable industry practices and strategies in a supportive and insightful manner. Their meaningful and personalized guidance enabled me to define and focus on my individual goals. The learning environment provided the opportunity to connect both personally and professionally as well as the skills to move forward with confidence.˝ Susan Basch @susanbaschstudio

"Textile masterminds, Marcella and Polly are the mentoring dream team. Razor sharp and aesthetically acute, offering a depth of experience in the field, they provide a wealth of information on all aspects of engaging in branding for fiber creatives. I’ll spend the next six months, distilling and integrating innovations gleaned from their tutelage." Bonnie Saland @philomelatextiles

“I really enjoyed the workshop. The format, with videos, examples, ideas, slides, homework, websites to visit and books to read. Polly and Marcella explained things very well. The course was eye opening and very important for my future. I really appreciated how both were kind and helpful solving doubts, questions and personalizing all the material for all participants” Claudia Falquez Useche @claudia_falquez

“I appreciated your curated selection of brands used as examples in the course, also the emphasis on important subjects like body positivity and cultural appropriation. You certainly guided us toward the future of fashion and the market leaning towards more intelligent consumers, less pollution, fair labour practices and unique products” Cydney Cornell @greenecountywool

"Thank you for organising and presenting this important workshop for those of us looking to sustain ourselves through our passion of textiles. The intensity and duration of this experience was the right combination for me to get out of my head and into the heart and soul of why I do what I love to do. The professional experiences you two, Marcella and Polly, generously shared, opened a world of possibilities and demystified opportunity for success. I entered into this experience seeking focus, and found that along with so much more. I'm grateful for your thoughtful guidance." Karen Lukacs @karenlukacs