Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: The Fashion Class offers a hands-on, creative education model with strong operational support, flexible scheduling, and room for national growth.
The Fashion Class is a fashion and sewing school based in New York City that offers classes, camps and parties for kids, teens and adults. Students don’t just learn to sew — they design, stitch and take home real garments they’ve created from scratch. Whether it’s a weeklong summer camp or an after-school program, every class is rooted in hands-on learning that helps spark creativity and build confidence.
Founder Kerri Quigley launched The Fashion Class in 2010 after noticing how excited children became when given the chance to create their own clothing. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Quigley taught her first kids’ sewing class the year before and was immediately inspired by the pride her students took in their work. What began as a single class quickly evolved into a full-scale fashion school. Over time, the concept expanded to two Manhattan locations and began offering franchise opportunities in 2023 to help other entrepreneurs bring the experience to their own communities.
Mission: At its core, The Fashion Class is on a mission to introduce young people to the world of fashion through playful, skill-based instruction. Classes are structured to teach technical skills — but never at the expense of fun or imagination. Students walk away not only with something they’ve made, but with a sense of ownership and accomplishment that carries beyond the classroom.
Vision: Looking ahead, the brand envisions a future where more children across the country have access to enriching, creative outlets like fashion design. Through strategic growth and franchising, The Fashion Class hopes to bring its unique approach to new cities while continuing to shape confident, capable creators who aren’t afraid to make their own mark.
The Fashion Class is actively expanding and currently offers franchise opportunities throughout the United States. However, while the brand is seeking growth in a variety of markets, it does not publish a list of specific states where territories are available.
As with many franchise systems, availability may be limited in certain states that require franchise registration. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to reach out directly through the brand’s franchise inquiry form for the most up-to-date information on territory availability and registration status.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a franchise with The Fashion Class ranges from $139,900 to $247,450. The brand does not provide a publicly available breakdown of these costs, but does stipulate that they include both fixed costs and flexible expenses that vary based on the studio’s size and location.
Initial Franchise Fee: The Fashion Class charges a franchise fee of $49,000, which is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: The Fashion Class does not have a publicly available Franchise Disclosure Document, but does specify a monthly Royalty Fee of 8% of your gross revenue to cover branding, tools and support.
ROI Potential: While the brand does not make its Item 19 available to the public, it does include the following sales figures from a single unit reporting in 2023:
Parties | Classes | Camps | Retail | Total | |
| Single Unit | $75,460 | $194,040 | $258,720 | $10,780 | $539,000 |
Franchisees begin with pre-launch training at The Fashion Class headquarters, covering essential aspects of running a successful studio. This includes in-depth guidance on marketing strategies, operational processes, customer service best practices and website management. Additionally, on-site training is provided, where a dedicated team member assists with studio setup and staff training, ensuring franchisees are fully equipped to operate their business confidently from day one.
Ongoing operational support is a cornerstone of The Fashion Class franchise model. Franchisees receive assistance with various aspects of business operations, including marketing strategies, customer service protocols and website management.
Franchisees are granted access to The Fashion Class's extensive library of sewing projects, craft lessons and fashion design-themed curriculum. This curated collection offers a wide variety of engaging activities suitable for students of all skill levels, enabling franchise owners to provide dynamic and evolving class experiences.
The Fashion Class seeks franchisees who are passionate about creativity and education, regardless of their sewing experience. Ideal candidates possess an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating motivation to grow a business with both creativity and strategic vision. A community-oriented mindset is essential, as franchisees are expected to make a positive impact within their local areas. Strong leadership and team-building skills are important for managing and motivating staff while fostering a collaborative studio environment. Additionally, being customer-focused, adaptable to new challenges, and valuing work-life balance are key attributes the brand looks for in potential franchise owners.
The franchise model emphasizes work-life balance, making it an appealing option for parents and individuals desiring flexible schedules. While specific daily or weekly time commitments aren't detailed, the nature of the business — offering classes, camps and events — suggests that franchisees should be prepared to engage during after-school hours, weekends and school breaks. This flexibility allows owners to tailor their involvement based on personal and community needs. Prospective franchisees should be prepared to invest time and effort into community engagement, marketing and daily operations to build and sustain a successful studio.
The Fashion Class does not currently partner with any financing institutions or third-party lenders. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to explore external funding options such as SBA loans, personal saving or other small business financing avenues.
The children's enrichment and creative education sector is experiencing notable growth, driven by increasing demand for structured, skill-based programs that extend beyond traditional academics. The global early childhood education market, which includes structured learning experiences for young children, was valued at $10.45 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.22%, reaching $29.50 billion by 2033.
Similarly, the global after-school program market is expected to expand from $31.21 billion in 2025 to $61.59 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 10.2%. This growth is fueled by factors such as the increasing number of dual-income households and a heightened emphasis on holistic child development.
The Fashion Class distinguishes itself in the children's enrichment and creative education sector by offering a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum that immerses students in the world of fashion design. Unlike programs that focus solely on sewing, The Fashion Class integrates elements such as illustration, pattern-making and even aspects of fashion entrepreneurship. Students, ranging from toddlers to adults, not only learn to create garments but also participate in end-of-semester fashion shows, providing a real-world platform to showcase their creations. This holistic approach fosters creativity, confidence and practical skills, setting the brand apart from competitors.
Primary competitors in this space include:
While these programs offer valuable instruction in sewing and design, The Fashion Class's unique integration of comprehensive fashion education elements and performance opportunities provides a distinctive and competitive edge in the market.
The Fashion Class franchise offers a structured and supportive process for aspiring entrepreneurs to establish their own fashion education studio. Here’s a step-by-step overview from initial inquiry to grand opening:
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