At the end of each series, brands walk away with valuable mentorship for sales training, merchandising and product marketing, actual revenue from their product and facilitated connections to experts in the industry. Congratulations to these Michigan fashion businesses:

Distort Clothing
Distort Clothing’s mission is to establish a streetwear brand that will design and produce high quality clothes for male, female, and young adults - a clothing label that will compete favorably with international clothing labels, at a global stage.

Down to the Wire
Down to the Wire believes that natural materials make the most perfect jewelry. They focus on exploring fruits, flowers, and seeds in their form and utility, alongside resin technique. They provide affordable products, allowing for a wide customer base. 

Fig & Olive
Fig & Olive has a mission to provide all individuals with an affordable and natural multi-purpose product line. As an organic and natural facial and body product company, their business is female-owned and operated, physician approved, vegan and cruelty-free. Products are suitable for all ages and genders, Michigan produced and support various Detroit charities with their proceeds.

Kamili Activewear
Kamili Activewear is a clothing company established in Kalamazoo. Their primary objective is to provide customers with the utmost quality and comfort in activewear, with a mission to promote rich health through living actively. Products exceed expectations in regard to performance, style, comfort and durability. All products are responsibly and ethically sourced. Kamili Activewear helps create jobs for veterans, individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.

In February, 2020, K. Walker Collective was one of the selected fashion brands to participate in the DITNB brand accelerator program in partnership with PMBC. Through the success of the program, K. Walker Collective is now an official brand resident in the DITNB storefront on Woodward Ave. in Detroit’s retail market.

"I was ecstatic to be selected for Pure Michigan Business Connect’s Brand Accelerator program! Getting an in-store placement within DITNB provided me with an advantageous opportunity to not only increase my brand's exposure but to also learn necessary techniques to scale and grow my network in the Detroit retail community," said founder Ken Walker. "Since February 2020, K. Walker Collective saw an impressive 83 percent in YoY sales growth from our Shop-In-Shop at DITNB, contributing to our highest year of revenue even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic."

In a crowded market, K. Walker Collective strives to be the standard for high-street lifestyle attire made up of a range of comfort and refined looks that many young professionals struggle to find in just one brand. The brand aims to alleviate the frustration that shoppers have with other designers and fast-fashion retailers by offering an impressive range of premium fashion items at an attainable price point.

Qurate Food Business Rescue Project

The MEDC, along with Qurate.tech and Foodtalkdaily.com are working with Michigan restaurants and CPG brands to offer a free unique marketing opportunity to create brand awareness and sales.

In partnership with other industry and online community partners, this new platform will connect chefs/restaurateurs and CPG brands with their patrons through shoppable recipes and interactive content. The platform will help create new revenue streams for those in the food and service industry and empower those to monetize their offerings in new, innovative ways.

This new platform will soon launch in Michigan. Interested in participating? Submit an interest form below.

Grow your Network in the PMBC Community

The PMBC Community is a free business-to-business (B2B) platform, created by Connect Space, that connects Michigan companies of all sizes and industries to facilitated matchmaking opportunities. Whether you have a product or service you would like to get in front of buyers, or a procurement opportunity you would like to discuss with a Michigan supplier, the PMBC Community is just the place to do it. With the new capabilities and needs “tags”, your company profile will connect you to more customers or a larger supply base.

January 26 - Wayne State University Supplier Matchmaking Day
Supplier Application closes Jan 14th

February 23 - Upper Peninsula Food Processing Support Program Pitch Competition
Applications due Jan 25th