Meet Belinda Humphrey | Sustainable fashion consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Belinda Humphrey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Belinda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my business was a something that naturally fell into place. I was designing for a national retailer and running my womenswear label on the side when 2020 hit. Everything was uncertain, the retailer made sweeping redundancies in merchandise due to not needing product and it was also the catalyst to close my label. Since starting my label I had had a child and was finding the juggle too much and my heart wasn’t in it. Towards the end of 2020 I was approached by a contact to do some freelance work and through a conversation with a friend that wanted to start a childrens wear label, I decided to package up all of my experience and skills and move into Freelance design, Consulting and Coaching. I also wanted to make sure that advising on how to be more sustainable and ethical with product development was embedded in the business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s no secret that the fashion industry is a tough one, and there have certainly been times over the 20+ years when I question whether to stay in it, but what I love about the industry is how I am able to use both my creativity and analytical skills. I think this has been what has set me apart in some respects. Often when you are presenting collections to buyers or business managers, it helps to frame it with reference to numbers or figures to help get the idea over the line. Referring to the numbers (costs, margins, sales units etc) is what helped me to get a new product over the line enough to test it and it then went on to be a 7 figure category within 18 months in a national retailer. This was a category that they told me “they could never get right” and it went on to play a substantial role in saving their business during 2020.

In my work now, I am able to incorporate more sustainable, methods and materials within my work.

Being in fashion never seemed easy but I’ve always been drawn to problem solving and challenges. The path to where i am now has been full of challenges but has also been the catalyst for personal and professional growth. Understanding myself more has been what has helped me overcome those challenges.

I think one of the biggest lessons I have learnt over the years is that getting your product right from the beginning will solve a lot of problems down the line. This involves material choice, making sure the design process is a holistic and considered one and garments fit properly.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love going to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) they always have great exhibitions and staying on the art theme there is an Art Walking tour where you visit all the smaller galleries and also get a rundown on the street art in the laneways.

Gimlet is on my list of places to dine at, but a long time favourite for is a cozy little restaurant in St Kilda, Cicciolina. The service is attentive but not overdone and the food is always great! Staying in St Kilda, the Espy is an iconic 140 years old pub right on the beach that also gets some great live music.

Any of the art hotels are great to stay at or the Sofitel in the City on Collins street.

A trip down the coast (mornington or along the great ocean road) is also a must!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Very early in my journey I came across Fiona Killackey who runs My Daily Business. With Melbourne being the most locked down city in the world, those daily walks with a small child were precious and listening to her podcast was very practical and supportive during that time. I went on to do her group coaching for 12 months and it was instrumental in setting up the proper framework of the business.

Dr Marion Piper was also someone who did all of the copy for my website so that i was positioning myself correctly. Going from a product based business to a service based business is a leap because you are essentially trying to sell yourself and I think someone else with a bit of distance really helps in this situation.

Website: https://www.belindahumphrey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindahumphrey_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-humphrey-99749043/

Other: Fashion Unearthed Podcast