Designers? More Like Merch Managers
Let’s get straight to it—the fashion space is overrun.It’s not just oversaturated, it’s overstimulated. Everyone wants to be a designer now. Every day there’s a new “brand,” a new “drop,” a new “collection” that’s really just a glorified hoodie with a half-thought slogan and a font you could’ve downloaded from Dafont in 2011. Let’s make one thing clear: starting a clothing brand doesn’t automatically make you a designer.We’ve gone from “what does your brand stand for?” to “how fast can I sell out hoodies on TikTok?”Fashion used to reflect identity, risk, rebellion, and culture. Now it reflects whoever had access to a heat press and a Shopify tutorial last week.
April 3rd . By Ryan Packer | Editor-in-Chief, Plann Magazine
If Your Brand’s Just a Font on a Tee, What Are We Even Doing?
There’s a whole category of brands that exist purely on aesthetic fumes.They post cinematic promo videos, moody edits, mysterious taglines—yet somehow, when it comes to the actual clothes? It’s always the same recycled tee, vague messaging, and a logo in the middle of the chest.Let’s be specific. CRAY Portfolio and us.kozy are perfect examples of this wave: all smoke, no silhouette. Everything feels like a vibe until you realize it’s the exact same vibe you’ve already seen ten times this week.
And locally? It’s no different.
Some hometown brands are doing the exact same thing—putting a random font on a shirt, dropping five tees, and calling it fashion just because they sold out in 24 hours. But selling out doesn’t mean you stood out. A fast sell doesn't make it fire.It’s cool to support the homies, but support shouldn't replace standards. If we keep lowering the bar just because something “did numbers,” we’re going to end up with a whole generation of “designers” who never designed anything real.
The Clout-to-Craft Ratio is Off
Let’s talk quality. Or... lack of it.
If your hoodie feels like sandpaper and your “luxury tee” shrinks on the first wash, don’t price it like it's couture. Fashion isn’t just about putting your name on a garment—it’s about building something that lasts.
Too many are in this for the clout, not the craftsmanship. It’s not about storytelling or perspective—it’s about selling just enough to post a “sold out” story slide and feel validated.
But design is deeper than drops.
There’s Still Hope
Now don’t get it twisted. This isn't a blanket diss on everyone with a dream and a clothing rack. There are still brands out here putting in the work, pushing silhouettes, playing with construction, and actually contributing something new.
Take Kody Phillips, for example. Every pocket placement, cord, and zipper feels intentional. His designs have structure, soul, and a signature. This is someone who understands form and feeling—and it shows.
Then there’s Corteiz. The movement Clint 419 has built with nothing but authenticity and audacity? That’s how you shape culture. From guerrilla drops to powerful collaborations, Corteiz isn’t just selling clothes—it’s rewriting the rulebook.
These aren’t just brands. They’re blueprints.
The Bottom Line?
We don’t need fewer brands—we need better ones. We need people who love this craft, who obsess over details, and who aren’t afraid to say something loud, risky, and different.
If your entire brand is a quote on a tee and an all-caps Instagram caption... respectfully:
You’re not designing. You’re drop-shipping vibes.
Fashion isn’t about being first. It’s about being felt.
And if your work isn’t built to last—neither is your name.