Kickstarter is known for funding projects, but its latest move in fashion reaches further back into the creative process. With the launch of the Kickstarter Fashion Advisory Board, the platform is betting that independent designers need mentorship, visibility, and industry connections long before a campaign goes live.
DSCENE Editor-in-Chief Zarko Davinic put the questions to Everette Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at Kickstarter, about the board, the Culture Fund, and the tension between idealism and commerce in a crowdfunding business.
Building the Board
The Fashion Advisory Board reads like a who’s who of independent fashion’s most respected voices. How did you approach the selection process, and what criteria defined who belonged on this board versus who didn’t? – “For Kickstarter, this wasn’t about assembling the biggest names in fashion. It was about bringing together individuals who understand what it means to truly build themselves but also passionate about uplifting other creatives. We wanted a group that reflects different corners of the industry, from designers and creative leaders to executives, entrepreneurs, and cultural tastemakers, all of whom bring distinct perspectives and experiences to the table.
What united everyone we selected was a shared belief in the power of independent creativity and a genuine commitment to supporting the next generation of creators in fashion. We weren’t looking for a specific title or résumé as much as we were looking for people who have consistently invested in creative communities and understand the opportunities and challenges creators face today”, shares Everette Taylor.
The five advisors are Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada, Raul Lopez of Luar, Brandon Blackwood, Recho Omondi of The Cutting Room Floor, and Milton Dixon III, who serves as Stylist, Creative Consultant and Fashion Ambassador at Kickstarter. Together, they bring perspectives across independent design, brand building, fashion media, and storytelling. Through the end of 2026, they will support the initiative through creator guidance, media engagement, and shared content, helping creators discover opportunities to apply for support through the Culture Fund.
Beyond the Funding Lane
The Culture Fund offers direct financial contributions to live campaigns, but many independent designers struggle long before they ever reach a launch-ready project. Does Kickstarter see a role for itself earlier in that creative process, or does the platform intentionally stay in the funding lane? – “Funding and supporting preorder sales will always be a core part of what Kickstarter does, but we’ve also recognized that creators need more than capital and sales alone. Building a creative business often requires mentorship, visibility, community, and access to industry knowledge long before a campaign goes live.
That’s one of the reasons we’re investing in initiatives like the Culture Fund and launching the Fashion Advisory Board. We see an opportunity to support creators more holistically by helping foster connections, sharing expertise, and creating pathways to opportunity. While Kickstarter remains a platform that helps creators bring projects to life through community support, we’re equally focused on strengthening the broader ecosystem that helps those creators thrive”.
The Culture Fund is a $1 million fund launched in August 2026, supporting independent creators working across Art, Fashion, Film, and Music. Financed entirely by Kickstarter and open to creators around the world, it provides direct financial contributions to live Kickstarter campaigns, helping creators build momentum as they rally support for their ideas. Creators in the Culture Fund’s four core categories can apply when their campaign is live or when they have a project page in draft.
Belief as a Business Model
The Power of Belief campaign frames this as a cultural mission, but Kickstarter is also a business. How do you balance the idealism of supporting independent creators with the platform’s commercial interests, especially as larger fashion brands increasingly explore crowdfunding? – “We’ve always believed that supporting creators and culture while building a strong business are not competing goals. In fact, they’re deeply connected. Kickstarter succeeds when creators succeed and culture moves forward. Our platform was built to help people bring creative ideas into the world, and that mission remains at the center of everything we do.
Kickstarter is rooted in the belief that people can bring creative ideas to life together. As larger organizations and companies continue to explore how they can launch products through our platform, we haven’t lost sight of the needs of independent creators who have always made Kickstarter what it is. Initiatives like the Fashion Advisory Board and the Culture Fund reflect our belief that creative independence is worth investing in and protecting.
The opportunity for Kickstarter is to continue creating a platform where emerging and independent creators can find the resources, visibility, and support they need to grow.”
Why It Matters Now
The timing reflects a wider argument about ownership. Courtney Brown Warren, Kickstarter’s Chief Marketing Officer, framed the board as the fashion expression of the company’s brand campaign. “Power of Belief is rooted in the idea that creativity moves forward when people believe in each other,” she said. “Building on the Culture Fund, these advisors bring guidance, perspective, and connections to help more designers find their community and bring their original visions to life.”
Kickstarter’s model gives fashion creators a path to fund and launch original projects while keeping creative control and ownership. The board is meant to strengthen that approach by building the relationships and visibility that can support creators alongside funding. For independent designers who have spent years fighting for a seat at the table, the question is whether a platform’s promises will hold up once the campaign ends. Kickstarter has made its case in public. The next year will show whether the advisors’ guidance reaches designers who need it most.
For more on the fund visit kickstarter.com.
