Building a Successful Franchise Business
Ready, set, sew with The Fashion Class founder and WEALF entrepreneur Kerri Quigley.
Kerri Quigley is turning The Fashion Class, the innovative sewing and fashion education business she founded in 2010, into a thriving franchise. Today, the brand includes three locations: two in Manhattan, which Kerri sold last year, and one franchise location in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is also set to open a new company-owned location in River Vale, New Jersey, in April 2026.
Kerri’s love of fashion began early. She created her first garments from fabric scraps and a glue gun before her grandmother taught her how to sew. She later attended Parsons School of Design and worked in the fashion industry before launching The Fashion Class.
Recognizing a gap in arts-focused extracurricular education, Kerri developed a curriculum that is educational, effective, and—above all—fun. Students learn sewing skills alongside fashion illustration, merchandising, and fashion history, and benefit from guest speakers working in the industry. Each program culminates in a runway show where students proudly showcase their creations for family and friends.
The Fashion Class offers after-school classes, summer camps, workshops, and school programs where students ages 6–17 learn to sew real, wearable clothing. Kerri recently expanded the brand to include classes and party venues for adults.
Looking ahead, Kerri plans to continue expanding The Fashion Class nationwide, with a goal of adding ten new franchise locations each year. Thanks to her vision, kids and teens can find their perfect Fashion Class.
The Fashion Class has been featured in Time Out NY Kids, New York Magazine, NBC’s New York Live, Pix 11 news, and NY1, where it was named an “NYC Parent’s Pick”.
Kerri is one of WEALF’s earliest entrepreneurs, receiving her first loan in November 2012 to purchase new equipment and expand her classes into new locations.
her words:
“I feel like WEALF has been by my side ever since I took the leap to quit my job and run my business full time! Their initial loan helped me turn my side hustle into a real business, now with two studios and a team of people. Over the past eight years I’ve relied on the knowledge of Vicki, Suzi (my mentor) and others to help me with questions about accounting, finances, legal and business growth. They’re always there when I need them most! I’m honored to be the first recipient of the WEALF Visionary Award and part of such an amazing program of women entrepreneurs. We are such a strong community together, and I thank Vicki and the entire WEALF Team for creating this amazing program!”