Fame & Partners

About Fame & Partners

Fame & Partners operated as a vertically integrated online fashion retailer with a focus on customizable, made-to-order women's apparel. The company was founded in Australia by Nyree Corby, a former venture capital professional, in 2013. Corby's experience analyzing market trends in e-commerce and retail revealed a significant imbalance in the fashion industry, with a large percentage of womenswear being sold at a discount or ending up in landfills. This insight, coupled with the observation that women struggled to find suitable attire for special events, formed the foundation of the company's business model.

The business positioned itself as an "anti-fast fashion" brand by producing garments only after a customer placed an order, thereby reducing excess inventory and waste. This made-to-order system was a core tenet of its operational strategy. Fame & Partners utilized technology to track emerging celebrity fashion trends and translate them into purchasable designs. The primary offering was special occasion dresses, which clients could personalize by choosing different colors, fabrics, and design elements, and could be tailored to their specific measurements. This customization allowed for a more personal and better-fitting product, with delivery times ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks.

The company initially launched in Sydney and saw rapid growth, particularly in the U.S. market, which soon accounted for the majority of its revenue. This success led to a significant Series A funding round of $10.2 million in 2016, co-led by US-based venture capital firms Firstmark Capital and Upfront Ventures. Following this investment, Fame & Partners relocated its headquarters to Los Angeles to better serve its primary market. Despite its promising model and early success, the company ceased operations abruptly in mid-2023, shutting down its website and leaving customers with unfulfilled orders.