FABRIC Incubator

What FABRIC Incubator does

FABRIC Incubator (legal entity Label Horde, LLC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit fashion ecosystem founded in 2016 in Tempe, Arizona, by Angela Johnson (former production manager at X-Large and X-Girl) and Sherri Barry (retail/executive background). The organization serves apparel entrepreneurs, DIY designers, upcyclers, educators, students, and industry service providers across the United States through a hybrid virtual-and-physical model. Its flagship product is the ROADMAP, a self-guided virtual platform containing $70K+ in curated resources structured across 364 steps, 194 tools, and 103 videos in 8 categories covering the sewn-product lifecycle from concept to small-batch domestic manufacturing. FABRIC also operates a physical maker space in Tempe outfitted with 11 industrial and 15 domestic sewing machines, Gerber digital pattern software, cutting tables, and a sourcing library, plus recurring event programming (Behind the Seams monthly interviews, annual Eco Fashion Week, reFABRICate upcycled denim shows).

The organization's monetization spans multiple streams: a tiered Apparel Entrepreneur Membership ($350/mo dropping to $9.95/mo after year one, with scholarship tiers at $0 and $50/mo), à la carte consulting and retainers, paid workspace and equipment access, event tickets (INTERWOVEN at $75-$125, Eco Fashion Week programming), and affiliate marketing through Amazon Associates and Commission Junction. Supplemental revenue comes from grants (City of Tempe Wavemaker Grant, Community Arts Grant, Cox Charities, Congressional Commendation-driven visibility) and donations processed via Stripe. The customer base is horizontal and distributed — 2,000+ brands supported since inception with hundreds of active volunteers — anchored by no single enterprise customer, though the organization demonstrated large-scale B2B capability during COVID-19 by manufacturing 800,000+ FDA-approved reusable isolation gowns for healthcare facilities.

Strategically, FABRIC has evolved from a local Tempe incubator into a national platform anchored by its ROADMAP product, with 2024-2025 moves into Digital Product Passports (via Rainf4ll), carbon accounting (via EcoStance), and a planned circular fashion park in partnership with global supply chain experts. It relocated in July 2025 to a smaller, community-focused space at NOVO Broadway, signaling a deliberate contraction of physical manufacturing capacity in favor of workspace, education, and community programming. Notable market positions include White House recognition during COVID-19, partnerships with Ballet Arizona and Tempe Marketplace, and a self-designated NetZero Sustainability Accelerator status.

Name

FABRIC Incubator

Legal name

Label Horde, LLC

Website

https://fabricincubator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FABRIC Incubator is a 501(c)(3) non-profit fashion ecosystem providing a virtual ROADMAP training platform and Tempe, Arizona maker space to U.S. apparel entrepreneurs, DIY designers, upcyclers, students, and industry service providers seeking guidance on domestic small-batch sewn-product manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fashion Incubator Services

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525), Knit Fabric Mills (31324)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Knitting Mills (2250), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile & Fiber Arts Classes (Weaving, Knitting, Embroidery, Dyeing) (THAJAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Fabric Mills (Performance/Protective/Medical Substrates) (IMAOABAH)

Keywords

• Fashion incubator services
• Apparel entrepreneurship training
• Small-batch manufacturing
• Sustainable fashion education
• Domestic apparel production

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Apparel Entrepreneur Membership: Month-to-month membership providing access to the ROADMAP system ($70K+ in resources), design review, costing evaluation, sourcing guidance, and industry resources. After one year, memberships reduce to $9.95/mo. Scholarships available for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
2. Affiliate Marketing: FABRIC participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Commission Junction affiliate programs, earning advertising fees from qualifying purchases made through their affiliate links
3. A La Carte Consulting: On-demand consulting and mentorship services available to members and non-members for specific assistance throughout the product development and manufacturing process
4. Retainer Services: Ongoing one-on-one assistance from consultants/mentors available through membership retainer options for brands requiring continuous support
5. Workspace Access and Equipment Usage: Paid access to industrial and domestic sewing machines, cutting tables, pattern making software (Gerber), digital pattern digitizer, plotter, and other manufacturing equipment at FABRIC's physical location

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FABRIC Incubator is a 501(c)(3) non-profit fashion incubator that guides apparel entrepreneurs through domestic small-batch sewn product manufacturing. It delivers the proprietary ROADMAP virtual platform ($70K+ in resources), a physical maker's space with industrial sewing equipment, classes, certificates, consulting, events, and community programs designed to teach the full sewn product lifecycle from concept to production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROADMAP: A virtual checklist and Project Lifecycle Management tool that guides apparel entrepreneurs through production management skills required for product development and sewn product manufacturing.
• Eco Fashion Week
• reFABRICate
• Behind the Seams

Products and services

• Apparel Entrepreneur Membership
• ROADMAP System
• Monthly Maker's Membership (Workspace Access)
• Fashion Classes
• Entrepreneur Certificates
• Apprenticeship Certification Program
• A La Carte Consulting
• Retainer Consulting Services
• Eco Fashion Week Annual sustainable fashion event produced during Earth Week featuring runway shows, pop-up shops, clothing swaps, educational panels, and a marketplace; ticketed events including reFABRICate fashion show, clothing swaps ($10), pop-up shops, and anniversary celebrations.
• reFABRICate Fashion Show
• Behind the Seams Industry Interviews
• INTERWOVEN Sustainability Events
• Design and Manufacturing Services
• Branding & Marketing Services
• Business Services
• Sew-Cular Textile Exchange
• EcoStance Carbon Neutrality Program
• Digital Product Passport Service

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ brands supported since 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and major.

• City of TempecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Tempe has provided ongoing support enabling FABRIC to offer no-minimum manufacturing and discounted programs. Support includes direct funding, facility access at NOVO Broadway, and grants for community arts programming. This public-social-cooperative-enterprise partnership has become a model for other cities.
• EcostancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to make Eco Fashion Week carbon-neutral or carbon-positive. EcoStance provides carbon footprint calculation and offset tools for attendees and participating businesses. FABRIC designated as first NetZero Sustainability Accelerator through this partnership.
• Ballet ArizonaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for 'En Pointe: High Tea & Couture Reimagined' fundraiser featuring Ballet Arizona costumes upcycled by local designers during Eco Fashion Week 2025. Proceeds benefit both organizations.
• DLR GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for INTERWOVEN sustainability event bringing together architecture, fashion, and conscious living industries for networking and education.
• Tempe MarketplaceflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary venue for reFABRICate fashion shows and Eco Fashion Week events. Partnership includes community engagement around upcycled denim, vendor opportunities, and fashion show production.
• AZ Foothills MagazinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEco Fashion Week 2025 presenting sponsor. Provides editorial coverage, judge participation for reFABRICate competition, and social media promotion.
• Green Living MagazinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing media partner for Eco Fashion Week events. Provides editorial coverage, judge participation, and sustainability-focused event collaboration.
• Cox CharitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for reFABRICate upcycled denim fashion show and Eco Fashion Week programming.
• Threadz (Tempe Community Council)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for clothing swaps and community clothing exchange programs; Threadz Teen Clothes Closet manages donated garments for upcycling events.
• Goodwill of Central and Northern AZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for denim collection and upcycling programs; sustainability judges for reFABRICate competition.
• Global Supply Chain PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with global supply chain experts to advance the nation's first circular fashion park initiative, developing new models for reusing and recycling materials.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Parsons School of Design: A leading fashion and design school within The New School, with the Making Center providing workspace and equipment access to students. Comparable in offering fashion education and maker spaces, but as part of a degree-granting institution rather than an industry-focused nonprofit incubator.
• Fashion Institute of Technology: A SUNY-affiliated college specializing in fashion, business, and design education, with industry partnerships and incubator programs. Comparable in providing fashion education and industry access at scale, but as an accredited institution rather than a community-driven nonprofit.
• SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design): A private nonprofit art and design university with strong fashion and accessory design programs and on-campus maker resources. Comparable fashion education and workspace offering, but as a degree-granting institution with a broader arts curriculum.

Direct peers

• Manufacture New York: A fashion industry incubator offering workspace, education, and production resources for emerging designers in New York City. Directly comparable to FABRIC's incubator, workspace, and small-batch manufacturing model, though with a different geographic focus and a broader designer-services portfolio.
• Maker's Row: An online platform connecting brands with U.S.-based apparel and accessory manufacturers, plus Maker's Row Learning educational content. Directly comparable mission of helping brands access domestic small-batch production, but delivered primarily as a marketplace rather than a physical incubator.
• Textile Arts Center: A Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing textile education classes, workshops, studio access, and community programming. Comparable to FABRIC's blend of textile education, workspace access, and community programming for fashion entrepreneurs and makers.

Others

• Jo-Ann Stores: The largest U.S. specialty retailer of fabrics, sewing supplies, and craft materials, with in-store classes and Maker Studio concepts. Comparable retail fabric/sewing education and community programming, but as a major retail chain rather than a nonprofit incubator.

Emerging players

• Open Style Lab: A nonprofit focused on inclusive and adaptive fashion design through education, research, and design programs. Comparable nonprofit fashion education mission and emphasis on accessibility, but with a narrower adaptive-design specialization rather than broad apparel entrepreneurship.
• Fashion for Good: A global sustainable fashion platform and accelerator running programs to scale innovative circular and responsible textile startups. Comparable sustainability and education positioning to FABRIC's ROADMAP, but oriented to global corporate partnerships rather than local domestic manufacturing.
• The Folklore: A curated B2B marketplace and platform connecting emerging fashion brands of color with retailers. Comparable focus on supporting emerging fashion entrepreneurs, but centered on wholesale distribution rather than manufacturing access and education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fabric2271

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FABRIC Incubator