Close Menu
  • English
  • Featured
    • AI & Robotics
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Leisure
    • Science
    • Security
    • Sustainable Development
    • Tech
    • Transport
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to News

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive the very best articles of the moment, handpicked and delivered straight to your inbox.

Illustration of Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket demonstrating space-based cargo delivery. Image generated by AI.
“Space Rockets for War Cargo”: Pentagon Plans Orbital Delivery System to Drop Supplies Anywhere on Earth Within Minutes
Illustration of Bill Gates announcing his $200 billion donation plan and the future closure of the Gates Foundation. Image generated by AI.
“$200 Billion Goodbye”: Bill Gates to Shut Down Gates Foundation by 2045 After Record-Setting Final Donation Pledge
Illustration of a school Chromebook emitting smoke next to the TikTok app icon, symbolizing the viral #ChromebookChallenge trend. Image generated by AI.
“Chromebooks Exploding in Class”: Dangerous TikTok Trend Triggers Fires and Evacuations as Schools Scramble to Contain Crisis
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn RSS
Rude Baguette
Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
Newsletter
  • Featured
  • AI
    Illustration of autonomous soft robots powered by air and inspired by inflatable tube dancers. Image generated by AI.

    “Soft Robots Go Solo”: These Inflatable-Inspired Machines Navigate Autonomously Without a Single Line of Code or Electronics

    May 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
    Illustration of humanoid robots performing high-precision welding tasks in a shipyard. Image generated by AI.

    “Robot Welder Lands in Korea”: U.S. Firm Unleashes Humanoid Machine to Revolutionize Shipbuilding with Precision and Speed

    May 15, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    Illustration of MIT's advanced table tennis robot returning a shot with precision and speed. Image generated by AI.

    “Robot Smashes at 42 MPH”: MIT’s AI Table Tennis Machine Delivers Blazing Shots with Jaw-Dropping 88% Precision Rate

    May 15, 2025 at 6:03 AM
    Illustration of Chris Pelkey delivering a victim impact statement in court (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Dead Man Speaks in Court”: AI Clone of Murder Victim Confronts Killer Face-to-Face in Chilling U.S. Legal First

    May 14, 2025 at 7:10 AM
    Illustration of humanoid robots competing in sports events in Beijing (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    Beijing Launches World’s First Humanoid Robot Sports Games as Machines Compete for Glory in Jaw-Dropping Showdown

    May 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
  • Energy
    Illustration of the first-ever operational thorium reactor in the Gobi Desert (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “A New Nuclear Era Begins”: Thorium Reactor Breaks the Rules With Safer, Cleaner, and More Abundant Atomic Power Revolution

    May 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
    Illustration of the Three Gorges Dam in China and its potential impact on Earth's rotation (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “China Disrupts Earth’s Rotation”: NASA Confirms Planet-Slowing Project With Shocking Global Effects Already Underway

    May 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
    Illustration of Alpha Ring's Fusion AI Data Centre connecting global fusion research labs (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Fusion Labs Now Linked”: US Builds Super Device to Unite Global Reactor Tests and Accelerate Nuclear Breakthroughs

    May 11, 2025 at 7:08 AM
    Illustration of the breakthrough in fusion energy development, highlighting the resolution of magnetic containment flaws (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Scientists Finally Break the Fusion Barrier”: US Team Fixes 70-Year Energy Flaw in Stunning Scientific Breakthrough

    May 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
    Illustration of researchers observing restricted heat flow in high-energy-density plasma using lasers (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Super-Hot Plasma Test Just Changed Everything: US Fires Up 180,000°F Fusion Blast in Monumental Scientific Milestone

    May 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
  • Finance
    Illustration of Visa's integration of AI systems into digital payments (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    Visa’s AI Is Now Shopping for You: This Robot May Soon Swipe Your Card Automatically—and Mess With Your Mind

    May 4, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    Microsoft Strikes Unprecedented Deal: World's Largest CO2 Removal at 7.44 Million Tons, Setting New Environmental Milestone

    “Microsoft Strikes Historic Climate Deal”: World’s Largest CO2 Removal Pact Targets 6.75 Million Tons in Unmatched Green Push

    April 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
    RLWRLD Stuns Tech World With $15.6 Million Fundraise to Revolutionize Robotics: Unleashing Unprecedented Innovations That Will Shock the Industry

    “Robots Just Got Smarter”: RLWRLD Raises $14.8 Million to Build Groundbreaking Foundational AI Model for the Future of Robotics

    April 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
    Marshmallow's Meteoric Rise: British Migrant Insurance Startup Secures $90 Million, Surges Past $2 Billion Valuation in Unprecedented Move

    “Built for Outsiders, Backed by Billions”: UK’s Marshmallow Raises $90 Million as Migrant-Focused Insurtech Soars Past $2 Billion Valuation

    April 17, 2025 at 6:02 AM
    Why the tech industry needs a labor/union movement

    Why the tech industry needs a labor/union movement

    October 2, 2022 at 3:39 PM
  • Leisure
    Illustration of Mark Zuckerberg's luxury superyachts journey to Norway's fjords for a heliskiing adventure (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Even the U.S. Is Shocked”: Zuckerberg’s 5,300-Mile Yacht Voyage and Helicopter Ski Drop Redefine Billionaire Excess

    May 13, 2025 at 9:49 AM
    Illustration of the delayed release announcement for Grand Theft Auto VI by Rockstar Games (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    Total Shock for Gamers Worldwide: GTA VI Now Postponed to 2026 After Rockstar Vows to Redefine the Entire Franchise

    May 7, 2025 at 5:49 AM
    Illustration of the delayed release of GTA VI and its implications for the gaming industry (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Red Dead Proves the Wait Is Worth It”: Rockstar’s Masterpiece Shows Why GTA 6 Delay Could Deliver Gaming’s Next Big Legend

    May 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    Illustration of HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us exploring character depth and emotional storytelling (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    The Last of Us Reinvented: Season 2 Takes Bold Step Beyond the Game’s Limits in Stunning, Unforgettable Storytelling Move

    May 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
    Illustration of the highly anticipated PlayStation 6 console with advanced features and technologies (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “PlayStation 6 Is Coming Fast”: Sony’s Next Console May Launch Much Sooner Than Anyone Predicted, Shocking the Gaming World

    May 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
  • Science
    Illustration of the cosmic phenomenon of false vacuum decay and its potential impact on the universe (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Universe Could Implode Instantly”: False Vacuum Theory Suggests Reality Itself Is Balancing on a Terrifying Quantum Edge

    May 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
    Illustration of early humans crafting bone tools 1.5 million years ago (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Discovery Changes Human History: Ancient Tools From 1.5 Million Years Ago Reveal Astonishing Intelligence of Early Homo Species

    May 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
    Illustration of time reflections in a metamaterial setup reversing electromagnetic waves (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Time Reflections Are Real”: Scientists Unveil These Mind-Bending Phenomena That Could Change Our Understanding of Reality Forever

    May 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
    Illustration of a cat with the newly discovered salmiak coat color, transitioning from black to white (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “This New Cat Color Is a Genetic Miracle”: Scientists Astounded as Feline Defies All Known Genetic Rules in Stunning Discovery

    May 14, 2025 at 7:49 AM
    Illustration of the extinct Epicyon, the largest prehistoric canid, showcasing its formidable bone-crushing jaws (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “He’s Back From Extinction”: The Giant Epicyon With Bone-Crushing Jaws Is Roaming Again—and Scientists Are Stunned

    May 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
  • Security
    Illustration of the BlueWhale System, an advanced autonomous underwater vehicle designed for naval warfare, equipped with sophisticated sensors (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Unstoppable Sea Phantom”: This 40-Foot Drone Submarine Dominates Ocean Warfare, Packed with Massive Combat-Ready Payloads for Ultimate Naval Supremacy

    May 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
    Illustration of the FP-1 long-range drone being unveiled during Ukraine's Infantry Day celebrations (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    Ukraine Unleashes Game-Changing 1,000-Mile Drone: This Aerial Beast Hauls 265-Pound Explosive Payload, Shattering Boundaries of Modern Warfare

    May 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
    Illustration of Recce360 Deep Inspection Camera operating in a high-security, nuclear environment (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Indestructible Spy Bot Deployed”: US Unveils First-Ever Nuke-Proof Robot to Guard Missile Silos With Unstoppable Surveillance

    May 11, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    Illustration of the "White Emperor" fighter mockup showcased at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “China’s White Emperor Breaks the Rules”: Stunning New Fighter Jet Could Redefine Air Superiority and Shock Global Militaries

    May 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
    Illustration of Latvia's autonomous kamikaze drone, BLAZE, engaging enemy UAVs (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Latvian Drone Has Russia Stunned: Under-60-Second Strikes Ignite Panic in Kremlin Defense Circles

    May 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
  • Impact
    Illustration of Bill Gates announcing his $200 billion donation plan and the future closure of the Gates Foundation. Image generated by AI.

    “$200 Billion Goodbye”: Bill Gates to Shut Down Gates Foundation by 2045 After Record-Setting Final Donation Pledge

    May 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
    Illustration of Iceland's successful implementation of a four-day workweek and its impact on productivity and well-being (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Gen Z Was Right All Along”: Iceland’s 4-Day Workweek Proves a Massive Success Five Years After Bold National Shift

    May 12, 2025 at 7:54 AM
    Illustration of the majestic Jeddah Tower under construction, symbolizing architectural innovation and cultural preservation (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Saudi Arabia Unleashes Construction Fury”: This Mind-Blowing 3,280-Foot Jeddah Tower Set to Shatter Global Records and Redefine Skyscraper History

    May 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
    Illustration of the ambitious Neom project and The Line skyscrapers amidst the Saudi Arabian desert (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Unprecedented Crisis Looms”: This Massive $500 Billion Construction Site Faces Catastrophic Delays as 10,000 Workers Sound the Alarm

    May 6, 2025 at 7:08 AM
    Illustration of revolutionary nickel extraction using hydrogen plasma to reduce emissions (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Green Battery Revolution Begins”: New Nickel Extraction Cuts Emissions by 84% and Could Transform the Entire EV Industry

    May 4, 2025 at 6:53 AM
  • Tech
    Illustration of a school Chromebook emitting smoke next to the TikTok app icon, symbolizing the viral #ChromebookChallenge trend. Image generated by AI.

    “Chromebooks Exploding in Class”: Dangerous TikTok Trend Triggers Fires and Evacuations as Schools Scramble to Contain Crisis

    May 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
    Illustration of a vacuum-assisted extrusion method reducing porosity in 3D-printed polymer parts. Image generated by AI.

    Next-Level 3D Printing: This New Method Minimizes Voids Inside Polymers to Create Super-Strong, Failure-Resistant Components

    May 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
    Illustration of the fusion of quantum computing and AI in music creation. Image generated by AI.

    “AI Meets Quantum Sound”: This Groundbreaking UK Song Blends Generative Algorithms with Quantum Tech to Create Music History

    May 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
    Illustration of a person sporting a Continuous Glucose Monitor to detect early diabetes signs (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “This Wearable Sees Diabetes Coming”: New CGM Tech Detects Early Warning Signs With Unmatched Accuracy, Study Confirms

    May 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    Illustration of the Millennium M2000 Supercomputer revolutionizing AI-driven industries (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “This $2M Beast Obliterates Slow Science”: Millennium M2000 Supercomputer Is Smashing Research Speeds Worldwide

    May 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM
  • Transport
    Illustration of Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket demonstrating space-based cargo delivery. Image generated by AI.

    “Space Rockets for War Cargo”: Pentagon Plans Orbital Delivery System to Drop Supplies Anywhere on Earth Within Minutes

    May 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
    Illustration of the Boom Supersonic XB-1 aircraft achieving supersonic flight without a sonic boom (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Plane Just Did the Impossible: Achieved Supersonic Speed Without Creating a Sonic Boom in Historic Aviation Breakthrough

    May 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
    Illustration of the Streetwing flying car showcasing its innovative design and dual-functionality (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Flying Car Isn’t for Commuting: The Streetwing Is Designed Solely to Explore the Sky Like Nothing Ever Seen Before

    May 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
    Illustration of Airbus's innovative foldable wing technology for enhanced aviation efficiency (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    Airbus Shocks the Aviation World With a Jet Whose Folding Wings Dramatically Cut Fuel Burn and Boost Efficiency

    May 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
    Illustration of a Tesla Cybertruck sitting idle in a parking lot (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Rotting on a Lot for Months”: This Shocking Tesla Discovery Left a U.S. Buyer Completely Stunned at Delivery

    May 12, 2025 at 6:58 AM
  • English
Rude Baguette

With $1.5M raised, Carnet de Mode Founder Arbia Smiti discusses past, present & future

Eirwen WilliamsBy Eirwen WilliamsMay 27, 2013 at 3:15 AM06 Mins Read
Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News
Share
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link

Carnetdemode logo

International fashion marketplace Carnet de Mode has announced a $1.5M round of funding led by Elaia Partners. In addition, the fashion startup made public for the first time their seed investors – Pascal Chevalier & Marie-Christine Levet. Founded in 2011 by Arbia Smiti, Carnet de Mode works today with over 200 designer stores and 6000 exclusive fashion items, seeing 50% growth month over month in sales and customers, publishing 30 new designers each month into its catalogue.

Looking to become an international “discoverer” of emerging brands, Carnet de Mode offers brands access to an international audience, and that audience access to emerging brands – it seems both sides win, as long as Carnet de Mode can attract the best brands.

I sat down with Arbia to talk about Carnet de Mode’s past, present & future.

Arbia Smiti, Founder & CEO of Carnet  de ModeWhat path brought you to launch a Fashion startup?

After my engineering studies and my MBA in marketing at ESCP, I worked as a marketing manager at L’Oréal Group for a year and then decided to launch my own business in e-commerce. I am very passionate about fashion and had launched a fashion blog in 2009: carnetdemode.fr in parallel to my work. So obviously, creating a startup in fashion came naturally. Since I hadn’t any knowledge in e-commerce, I decided to work as a purchasing manager for a flash sales website for a few months to learn all the e-commerce processes from inside before jumping in a big adventure like Carnet de Mode. What I learned is:

  1. Most of e-commerce websites are not profitable because of the big expenses of logistics, photo shooting and stock purchasing before selling and the small margins they take
  2. All e-commerce websites sell known brands and this market became totally saturated and needs lots of financial investments to get known brands online (negotiating with brands, buying stocks beforehand, lots of competition,…)

So I decided to go to a new nascent market: Young emerging designers (rare competition, easier sourcing and a fast growing market) and to create a marketplace instead of a traditional B2C e-commerce website so that all logistics, photo shooting are totally handled by the designers themselves from any place in the world to everywhere.

What’s the vision behind Carnet de Mode?

The idea of Carnet de Mode was to create a curated international marketplace for all independent and talented designers. A platform where fashion lovers can find all kind of unique and original collections (ready to wear, accessories, jewelry,…) from professional designers. So we planned a 3 steps strategy:

1st step in 2011: For very young designers who have difficulties to produce their first collections:
We created a laboratory experimental platform called “Pre-collections” to showcase future collections (6 months to a year before the season) of handpicked young talents and we invited all fashion lovers to pre-order their favorite pieces for 40% off their future retail price and wait for a quota to be reached before launching the production which finances the production of the designer collection by the customers themselves and help the designer getting an instructive feedback about his collection beforehand.

2nd step in 2012: For young designers who already produced their collections and sell them in many physical multibrand boutiques:
We launched the marketplace in French and in English to offer these designers a very user-friendly plug and play storefront that enables them to create instantly their own corner on our platform and have an online boutique for free and an expert team that will invest in marketing and communication to help them get the exposure they need (PR, partnerships with medias, social medias,…) and attract international customers to buy their collections. The designers edit their collections by themselves and we manage to check and translate before publishing their collections. We also handle customer service and we act as an intermediate between designers and customers all over the world. The customer then receives his order from the designer atelier directly with a customized packaging and personal message from the designer to help create the intimate relationship we aimed to form between designers and their fans.

3rd step in 2013: For established and known designers, we are launching very soon a boutiques segment on our marketplace to offer the same services to multibrand physical boutiques in Paris and then the rest of the big cities in the world to reach established designers through the boutiques who own their collections and can manage logistics instead of them. We help boutiques to have an online corner for free as well and large investments in marketing and communication to help them get exposure and attract new customers they couldn’t reach before locally. We help them sell their catalogue on an online distribution channel and we help customers buy from their favorite boutiques from anywhere in the world.

Where does CDM fit in relation to traditional Fashion e-commerce sites? What about “social curation” sites like Lyst, Fab, or Pinterest?

I think CDM could be very complementary to traditional fashion e-commerce sites since our catalogue is unique and exclusive and could complete any traditional fashion catalogue of established brands to add a new offer that is becoming necessary with the new generations who are looking for a different sourcing and getting a unique and avant-garde fashion.

We also curate designers directly and we offer permanent boutiques and not a one-shot or flash-sale like Fab and we offer more and new services than the traditional curation sites which justifies also our margin of 50% higher than the small margins of the other marketplaces that offer only the online platform.

What about CDM interested Elaia and others to invest $1.5M? What will this money allow you to do?

Elaia and the other investors were very seduced by our unique positioning and our innovative business model that help us get high margins and take less risks and financial investments as the traditional e-commerce websites. I also think that they first invested in me personally and had faith in my abilities to revolutionize this business in the future.

This financing round will enable us to hire senior profiles to strengthen the team and invest in marketing to grow our community of customers worldwide and to further develop our services for fashion designers.

Do you think getting brands and designers behind you will be difficult?

Today, we offer a risk-free solution to the emerging designers (free online boutique, free exposure and communication about their brands and style, investments in marketing to attract for them customers worldwide) so that they can focus on designing and creating exquisite collections without financing. There is a big need from thousands of designers everywhere for a service like ours. Today we receive more than a hundred applications from designers each month thanks to a positive word of mouth between designers.

 

Did you like it? 4.5/5 (24)

Subscribe to News

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive the very best articles of the moment, handpicked and delivered straight to your inbox.

Elaia Partners
Follow on Google News Follow on X (Twitter)
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleStartups & Entrepreneurs: Underdogs that you love to cheer for
Next Article Twitter hires ex-Facebook Aurélien de Sorbay as “senior lead” but not the GM
Related Posts
Illustration of Visa's integration of AI systems into digital payments (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

Visa’s AI Is Now Shopping for You: This Robot May Soon Swipe Your Card Automatically—and Mess With Your Mind

Microsoft Strikes Unprecedented Deal: World's Largest CO2 Removal at 7.44 Million Tons, Setting New Environmental Milestone

“Microsoft Strikes Historic Climate Deal”: World’s Largest CO2 Removal Pact Targets 6.75 Million Tons in Unmatched Green Push

RLWRLD Stuns Tech World With $15.6 Million Fundraise to Revolutionize Robotics: Unleashing Unprecedented Innovations That Will Shock the Industry

“Robots Just Got Smarter”: RLWRLD Raises $14.8 Million to Build Groundbreaking Foundational AI Model for the Future of Robotics

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to News

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive the very best articles of the moment, handpicked and delivered straight to your inbox.

Illustration of Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket demonstrating space-based cargo delivery. Image generated by AI.
“Space Rockets for War Cargo”: Pentagon Plans Orbital Delivery System to Drop Supplies Anywhere on Earth Within Minutes
Illustration of Bill Gates announcing his $200 billion donation plan and the future closure of the Gates Foundation. Image generated by AI.
“$200 Billion Goodbye”: Bill Gates to Shut Down Gates Foundation by 2045 After Record-Setting Final Donation Pledge
Illustration of a school Chromebook emitting smoke next to the TikTok app icon, symbolizing the viral #ChromebookChallenge trend. Image generated by AI.
“Chromebooks Exploding in Class”: Dangerous TikTok Trend Triggers Fires and Evacuations as Schools Scramble to Contain Crisis
News by category
  • English
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leisure
  • Transport
  • Science
  • Security
  • AI & Robotics
  • Energy
  • Sustainable Development
Information
  • Meet the Team
  • Legal notice
  • Privacy policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to News

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive the very best articles of the moment, handpicked and delivered straight to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
© RudeBaguette.com. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.