The fashion industry is changing, and businesses are finding new ways to connect with their customers. One popular approach for fashion companies is Multi-level Marketing (MLM), which gives people the chance to make money while sharing their passion for fashion.
In MLM, independent sales reps can earn not only from their own sales but also from the sales of those they recruit, creating a big earning potential beyond just their own efforts.
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of fashion MLM and introduce you to the top 10 companies that are shaking up the industry. We’ll cover everything from stylish clothing and accessories to their unique business plans, offering an exciting opportunity for fashion lovers who want a flexible and rewarding career.
Table of Contents
Best Clothing MLM Companies
1. cabi
Overview: cabi is a women’s fashion MLM program that offers a range of stylish clothing for women. Founded in 2001 as ‘Carol Anderson by Invitation’, cabi aims to provide women with a better way to shop and work. With their mantra of “Affect lives through relationships,” cabi has grown from 12 founders to a successful company generating over $250 million in revenue in 2016. They currently operate in the U.S, U.K, and Canada.
Products: The product range offered by cabi includes dresses, tops, bottoms, jackets, denim, plus-size clothing, sweaters, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. The prices of their items fall into the low to medium range, typically ranging from $50 to $100 per piece.
Membership Program: The MLM program at cabi is straightforward, and members are referred to as ‘Stylists.’ They earn a base commission rate of 25% to 33% on sales and additional downline commissions ranging from 8% to 2% on four levels. To qualify for commissions, Stylists must meet monthly sales thresholds, starting from 800 in personal qualifying volume (PQV) during the initial seasons. The payment terms are monthly.
To join cabi as a Stylist, an application is required, and there are purchase requirements. New Stylists must purchase either the Introductory Collection for $1,000 (available for the first two seasons only) or the Seasonal Collection for $2,500. Ongoing seasonal collection purchases are necessary, and there is an option to sell off the last season’s collections.
Marketing Materials: cabi provides marketing materials to its Stylists, including a free starter kit with essentials like a cabi curtain, garment dividers, rack, order forms, invitations and envelopes, and invitation inserts. Stylists also receive a personalized website and training.
2. Essential Bodywear
Overview: Essential Bodywear (EBW) is a refreshing MLM program that aims to make bra shopping a fun and easy experience for women. Founded in 2003 by Carrie Charlick and Marcia Negiro, EBW is based in Michigan, USA. Their direct selling party plan model has been designed to address the common frustration women face when shopping for bras, panties, and shapewear.
Products: As the name suggests, Essential Bodywear specializes in a complete range of undergarments that can be custom-fitted to women of all sizes. Their product line includes bras, panties, workout wear, shapewear, maternity undergarments, and accessories. The prices of their items fall into the medium range, typically ranging from around $50 to $100 per piece.
Membership Program: The MLM program at Essential Bodywear refers to its members as ‘EBW Representatives.’ The program follows a simple retail structure without any apparent downline commission arrangement. EBW Representatives earn a base commission rate of 25% to 37% on commissionable products sold at retail prices.
Unlike many MLM programs, there doesn’t seem to be a minimum monthly spend requirement to qualify for commissions. Payments are made on a monthly basis.
To join as an EBW Representative, an application is required, and new members are expected to purchase a starter kit to become active. The basic kit is priced at $199, while the builder’s kit is available for $499.
While it is unclear whether ongoing seasonal collection purchases are required for display and try-ons during in-home fittings/shows, it is a common practice in other clothing MLM programs.
Marketing Materials: Essential Bodywear provides its Representatives with personalized websites and training materials to support their business.
3. Matilda Jane Clothing
Overview: Matilda Jane Clothing (MJC) is a charming MLM program that offers a whimsical range of apparel for all ages. Founded in 2006 by Denise Demarchis, MJC is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is known for its youthful, playful, and expressive designs that incorporate texture, pattern, and color.
Products: The product line of Matilda Jane Clothing is quite extensive, catering to girls, babies, tweens, women, boys, and even offering swimwear, pajamas, and play clothes. The prices of their items fall into the affordable to mid-range, ranging from around $20 to $100 per piece. Additionally, MJC also offers a smaller range of accessories and homewares, including shoes, towels, hats, bags, blankets, bedding, and baby kits.
Membership Program: The MLM program at Matilda Jane Clothing refers to its members as ‘Trunk Keepers.’ The program follows a simple and perhaps ‘old school’ structure, with a basic retail and downline commission system. Trunk Keepers earn a base commission rate of 20% on commissionable products and additional percentages on good luck trunk merchandise and platinum merchandise. Downline commission rates range from 1% to 9% across four levels.
To qualify for commissions, Trunk Keepers have monthly sales thresholds that vary depending on their rank, starting at $1,500 and going up to $4,000 in commissional sales volume (CSV) per month. Payments are made on a monthly basis.
Becoming a Trunk Keeper requires an application, and new members are required to purchase a seasonal ‘trunk’ to become active. The initial investment for the trunk is $1,600 and includes girls’ clothing and accessories, promotional items and marketing materials, as well as a rack and hangers. Trunk Keepers are also expected to make ongoing seasonal collection purchases for display and try-ons during in-home trunk shows. These sample lines have a retail value ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 but are offered to Trunk Keepers at cost. It’s important to note that previous seasonal trunks cannot be used in the current season.
Marketing Materials: Matilda Jane Clothing provides Trunk Keepers with personalized websites and training materials to support their business.
5. J. Hilburn
Overview: J. Hilburn is an MLM program that offers high-end, luxury custom-made men’s fashion. Founded in 2007 by Hil Davis and Veeral Rathod, J. Hilburn aims to provide men with impeccably fitting, custom-made wardrobes. With a focus on core values like teamwork, integrity, trust, responsibility, communication, and love for life, J. Hilburn has established itself as a reputable brand. The company is headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, USA.
Products: J. Hilburn’s product range includes suits, sportcoats, trousers, shirts, knits, casual pants, outerwear, sweaters, accessories, shoes, belts, bags, leather goods, and formal wear. The prices of their items are on the higher end, starting at around $600 for Hilburn line suits and $900 for J. Hilburn line suits.
Membership Program: The MLM program at J. Hilburn refers to its members as ‘Stylists.’ The program follows a standard structure with a basic retail and downline commission system, as well as bonus options. Stylists can earn a base commission rate ranging from 10% to 25%, which is tiered based on sales volume. Downline commission rates range from 2% to 4.5% across eight levels, with the first downline level earning 2.5%.
To qualify for commissions, Stylists must meet monthly sales bonus thresholds, which vary depending on their rank, ranging from $500 to $3,000. Additionally, Stylists need to complete training tasks to reach the first commission qualifying rank. Payments are made on a monthly basis.
To join as a Stylist, an application is required, and new members are expected to purchase one of two starter kits. The Standard Tool Kit is priced at $500 and includes essential shirting books, a suiting binder, measuring tools, accessories, and limited edition stylist lookbook and fabrics. The Digital Tool Kit is available for $199 and includes measuring tools, limited edition stylist lookbook, and access to the same fabrics through digital media.
While there is no explicit mention of ongoing seasonal collection purchases, it’s advisable to verify this aspect further before signing up, as it is a common requirement in clothing MLMs.
Marketing Materials: J. Hilburn provides Stylists with proprietary back-office business tools, a formalized training platform, and personal mentoring to support their business.
6. Youngevity
Overview: Youngevity, founded in 2001 by Dr. Joel Wallach, is an MLM program that focuses on helping individuals live younger and longer. Headquartered in Chula Vista, California, Youngevity operates in 16 countries worldwide, offering a wide range of products across various categories.
Products: One notable aspect of Youngevity is the vast array of products they offer, making it one of the most diverse MLM programs in terms of product lines. In the fashion category, Youngevity provides apparel, nails, jewelry, handbags, and accessories. Additionally, they offer products in nutrition/supplements, household and family, food and beverage, spa and beauty, and home essentials.
Membership Program: The MLM program at Youngevity refers to its members as Distributors. The compensation plan is readily available on their website and features a simple structure with basic retail and downline commission systems, as well as additional bonuses. Distributors can enjoy a discount of 20% to 30% on products. The base commission rate ranges from 20% to 30%, based on retail sales after applying the discount.
Downline commission rates range from 2% to 8% across nine levels, with Level 1 downline commissions set at 5%. To qualify for commissions, Distributors need to generate at least 50 Personal Qualification Volume (PQV), which can come from personal or customer sales. Payments are made on a weekly and monthly basis.
To join Youngevity as a Distributor, an application form and the first purchase are required. There is a membership enrollment fee of $30, followed by an annual fee of $49.95. Additionally, a Business Builder Kit, priced between $30 and $499, is required at the time of enrollment.
Marketing Materials: Youngevity provides its Distributors with a welcome pack, a replicated website, and access to an experienced Business Coach to support their journey.
7. Agnes & Dora
Overview: Agnes & Dora, founded in 2013 by Buffy Bandley, is an MLM program that has transformed from a humble home-based business into a forward-thinking women’s fashion company. Based in Lindon, Utah, Agnes & Dora embraces the values of exclusivity through kindness, acceptance, and self-empowerment. Their clothing is sold through a drop ship retail model, with all aspects of design, manufacturing, warehousing, merchandising, and shipping managed in-house.
Products: While the website doesn’t provide a comprehensive list of individual apparel available for purchase, Agnes & Dora offers a range of women’s fashion items. Their collection includes tops, dresses, cardigans, pullovers, tank tops, and jumpsuits. The pricing for individual items is not specified, but the mystery boxes offered online appear to showcase products in the $40 range per piece.
Membership Program: The Agnes & Dora MLM program refers to its members as ‘Brand Stylists.’ The program features a straightforward structure with a basic retail and downline commission system, along with bonus options. The compensation plan was not readily available on the website but could be found through a simple online search. Brand Stylists can earn a base commission rate of 20% to 40%.
Downline commission rates range from 3% to 6% across three levels, with the first downline level earning 4% for initial rank (Rose Quartz Rank and higher). To qualify for commissions, Stylists need to remain ‘active’ by maintaining a personal sales volume of at least 400 Personal Sales (PS) per month, which increases based on rank. Payments are made on a weekly and monthly basis.
To join as a Brand Stylist, an application form on the website is required, and new members are expected to pay an annual enrollment fee of $199. This fee covers the costs of their back office and personalized website. There don’t appear to be any pre-purchase requirements in terms of stock or seasonal ‘trunks’.
Marketing Materials: Agnes & Dora provides Brand Stylists with a personalized website, back office access, and training materials to support their business.
8. Stella & Dot
Overview: Stella & Dot, founded in 2003 by Jessica Herrin and Blythe Harris, is an MLM program that empowers women to style their own lives. Inspired by a conversation with Mary Kay consultants in an elevator, Herrin and Harris named the company after their grandmothers. With a focus on handcrafted products, Stella & Dot offers women the opportunity to be their own boss on their own terms. The company is based in the United States.
Products: Operating within the women’s fashion industry, Stella & Dot provides a wide and intriguing array of products. Their jewelry collection includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, personalized and customized options, fine jewelry, and charm jewelry. Additionally, they offer bags and accessories such as travel essentials, everyday bags, totes, leather goods, wallets, companions, scarves, sunglasses, hats, as well as clothing including tops, layerings, and bottoms. Stella & Dot also includes beauty products like skincare and makeup.
The prices of Stella & Dot items fall into the medium price range, typically ranging from around $50 to $400 per piece.
Membership Program: In the Stella & Dot MLM program, members are referred to as ‘Ambassadors.’ The compensation plan incorporates tiered and unilevel commissions, along with a small number of bonus payments. While the plan may not be as readily available on their website, it can be found through online searches. Ambassadors can earn a base commission rate of 20% to 40% based on their monthly sales figures.
Downline commission rates range from 4% to 8% across nine levels. However, Ambassadors must achieve the rank of ‘Squad Sales Coach’ to qualify for downline commissions. To be eligible for downline commissions, Ambassadors need to meet minimum sales volumes of between 1,000 and 2,000 Personal Qualification Volume (PQV). This PQV can be achieved through personal and/or customer purchases made through the Ambassador’s personal account. Payments are made on a monthly basis.
To join as a Stella & Dot Ambassador, an application form on their website is required, and new members are expected to purchase a starter kit to become active. The initial investment for the kit is $199, and there are various kits available, each valued at $400.
Marketing Materials: Stella & Dot provides Ambassadors with a personal online store, tools and apps, as well as marketing materials to support their business.
9. Peach
Overview: Peach, founded by Janet Kraus and Derek Ohly, aims to elevate women’s everyday lives through their fashion brand. Based in Waltham, MA, Peach focuses on the 20% of the wardrobe that women wear 80% of the time, whether it’s for walking the dog, going to work, or going out to dinner.
Products: Specializing in athleisure wear, Peach offers a wide range of fashion items for work, play, and the gym. Their collection includes tops, tanks, tees, long sleeves, sweaters, wraps, bottoms such as capris, leggings, shorts, skorts, skirts, and pants. They also offer dresses, rompers, jackets, sports bras, sleepwear, panties, and a variety of accessories including bags, totes, socks, scarves, water bottles, berets, beanies, and jewelry. The prices of their items fall into the low to medium range, typically ranging from around $30 to $100 per piece.
Membership Program: In the Peach MLM program, members are called ‘Stylists.’ This program has a straightforward structure with a common retail and downline commission system, as well as various bonus options. You can find all the details of their compensation plan on their website, where they offer a base commission rate ranging from 20% to 25%.
As a Stylist, you get a generous 40% discount on your personal purchases during your first 30 days in the program. After that initial period, you can still enjoy discounts of up to 25%. The downline commission rates are spread across three levels and range from 3% to 10%.
For example, the first downline level earns you 3% if you’ve achieved the Senior Stylist rank or higher. To qualify for downline commissions, Stylists need to meet monthly Personal Volume (PV) targets of at least 500 per month. You can reach these targets through your personal sales or sales to customers. It’s worth noting that you can earn the base 20% sales commissions without having to meet or maintain any sales targets.
Payments are made on a monthly basis, and you’ll need to fill out an application form on their website to become a Stylist. When you join, you’ll also need to purchase a Starter Kit, which is priced at $199. While purchasing ongoing seasonal collections isn’t mandatory, Peach offers discounts of 25% to 40% for additional samples.
These samples can come in handy for trunk parties or pop-up events. Peach suggests that Stylists should consider sampling 8 to 10 pieces each season to showcase different fabrics and styles, so you might need to make additional sample purchases to ensure you have enough demonstration stock available.
Marketing Materials: Peach provides marketing materials as part of the Starter Kit to support Stylists in their business endeavors.
10. Ruby Ribbon
Overview: Ruby Ribbon, founded in 2011 by Anna Zornosa, aims to change women’s lives forever by offering wireless comfort and support that was previously unavailable. With a focus on the intimates market, Ruby Ribbon provides Stylists the opportunity to work as entrepreneurs and succeed in the $18 billion industry. Headquartered in California, USA, Ruby Ribbon is committed to empowering women.
Products: Ruby Ribbon specializes in selling camis and demis designed to adapt to changes in body shape, ensuring a perfect fit every day. Their product range includes different styles such as Second Skin, Pin-Up, Lace, Original, Sheer, Nursing, and Light Support. Additionally, Ruby Ribbon offers a smaller range of swimwear and leggings. The prices of their items fall into the low to medium range, typically ranging from around $50 to $100 per piece.
Membership Program: The Ruby Ribbon MLM program refers to its members as ‘Stylists.’ The program follows a straightforward structure with a basic retail and downline commission system. The compensation plan, referred to as the career plan, is available on their website, including a video explaining the details. Stylists can earn a base commission rate of 20% to 40% depending on their rank.
Downline commission rates range from 1% to 6% across four levels, with the first downline level earning 6% for the Senior Leader rank and above. To qualify for downline commissions, Stylists need to meet monthly sales targets of at least $750. This can be achieved through personal or customer sales. It’s important to note that base 20% sales commissions can be earned without the need to meet or maintain sales targets.
Payments are made on a monthly basis, and an application form on the website is required to join as a Stylist. New Stylists are also expected to purchase one of three Starter kits: the Mini Starter Kit for $149, the Core Starter Kit for $249, or the Wardrobe Starter Kit for $399. Ongoing seasonal collection purchases are not required.
Marketing Materials: Ruby Ribbon provides Stylists with business supplies, a personalized website as part of the starter kit purchase, and comprehensive training and tracking to support their business.
Read more: Best MLM Companies
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