This article is part of Not In London, a multi-media celebration of the English cultural capital. With parties, a pop-up store, brand collaborations, and more, check out everything that happened right here.
Last week, Highsnobiety and Squarespace, the design-driven platform helping entrepreneurs build brands and businesses online, came together to host a panel discussion on the Business of Creativity. The panel, hosted by Odunayo Ojo—also known as Fashion Roadman—featured three accomplished creatives whose own creative paths might offer insights into other creatives hoping to do the same: Clara Chu, Daniel Bailey, and Simran Kaur.
Although the four represent a wide breath of creative backgrounds, they are all united by one thing: they all use Squarespace to power their online presence. By bringing together these creatives, all of whom represent a diverse range of experiences within the creative industry, knowledge sharing within the creative community could hopefully give some insights into overcoming difficulties with career progressions. In this light, the panelists shared stories from their own journeys, as well as tips on financing, content creation, and professional growth.
Chu highlighted the pivotal decisions that fueled her brand's growth. From unconventional inspirations like Tupperware containers to winning the International Talent Support competition, sustainability and repurposing remained at the core of her brand. "Early on, sustainability wasn't as prevalent, but I aimed to redefine it through my work." She noted key moments in her own development, including a workshop with Fashion Revolution and a project with State of Fashion in the Netherlands, as having shaped her trajectory towards larger-scale installations and community partnerships.
Kaur, not having a brand but flourishing as a freelancer, drew inspiration from their own heritage and sense of identity. Their journey unfolded through collages, animations, and photography, with key moments like collaborating on music videos and being part of Dazed 100 significantly shaping their trajectory. "I just post in my feed and story every day with no pressure and care of what someone might think." Kaur's approach to Instagram as a "creative diary" underscores the role of the platform in shaping and presenting their authentic creative self.
Bailey, managing Concept(k) and his personal brand MRBAILEY®, highlighted the critical decisions that fueled their growth. For Concept(k), storytelling was key, breaking the industry's secrecy with a bold approach. For MRBAILEY®, becoming more front-facing was the pivotal decision. "The internet allows us to share quick hits of inspiration, but for Concept(K), being able to share a more nuanced, beautifully written, and curated article allows us to tell a far more in-depth and richer level of content." Bailey's strategic use of platforms like Squarespace aligns with the broader theme of curating a meaningful digital presence.
All panelists emphasized the importance of mentorship and community support in the creative industry. Chu highlighted the need for breaking down industry gatekeeping: "There is no point in keeping information to yourself; it is meant to be circulating." Chu and Bailey discussed mentorship as a tool to break down gatekeeping and encourage information sharing. Kaur highlighted the need for authenticity and kindness in fostering a sense of community over competition.
All in all, valuable insights into growing a brand, maintaining authenticity, and leveraging digital platforms were made apparent through their shared vision of a creative scene wherein boundaries are broken rather than built. Tapping into common threads of community, mentorship, and genuine connection in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the business of creativity bound the panel together, providing a valuable stepping stone for those in attendance to themselves apply in their own professional development.
If you're interested in building your own website through Squarespace, learn more here, where Highsnob readers get a 20% promo offering using the ‘Highsnobiety’ promo code.
