Why Colleen Allen Turns Away Retailers That Won’t Pay Deposits
The buzzy New York designer joins Imran Amed on The BoF Podcast to discuss leaving menswear at The Row to design for her own body and building a fast-growing womenswear label with no investors and no full-time team.
Colleen Allen, the founder of a rapidly growing womenswear label, turns away retailers who refuse to pay deposits. Allen, who learned to sew from her grandmother, studied menswear at Parsons and completed her degree at Central Saint Martins in London. She launched her own womenswear brand in 2024, which has since experienced triple-digit year-over-year growth.
Despite not having an outside investment or a full-time team, Allen's business has thrived, raising questions about her unique approach. On The BoF Podcast, Allen discusses the discipline behind her self-funded growth and her plans for the future. This interview occurs ahead of the LVMH Prize final in Paris, where Allen is one of nine finalists.
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