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Apply Now Alexandra Van Houtte: Fashion Tech Entrepreneur Masterclass
Posted on 31/03/2025
IFA Paris recently had the privilege of hosting Alexandra Van Houtte, founder of Tagwalk, for an inspiring masterclass on fashion trends, digitalization, and production challenges in the industry. As the first keyword-based fashion search engine, Tagwalk allows real-time analysis of runway shows, accessories, and lookbooks. Her talk provided students with a unique insight into the fashion industry’s inner workings and the challenges it faces.
Tagwalk: A Revolution in the Fashion Industry
Launched in 2016, Tagwalk has become an essential tool for fashion professionals. This search engine catalogs runway shows and analyzes trends in real time by indexing all collections. Each reference is tagged to define it or link it to a category of objects or colors, providing a precise analysis of emerging trends and their evolution. The platform helps professionals identify emerging trends and declining ones.
“When I created Tagwalk, people told me it was too complicated, too niche, too ambitious…” Alexandra Van Houtte shared with the students, highlighting the challenges she faced before establishing her platform as a key reference for fashion trend analysis.
Her masterclass was also an opportunity to address the subject of trends and the critical issue of overproduction at a time when the industry must balance creativity with environmental responsibility.
“If trends were better identified, brands would produce less but more effectively. Instead of multiplying products and micro-trends, they would focus on those with a real impact. Today, production is excessive and constant.”
Finding Balance Between Career and Personal Life
As a female entrepreneur, Alexandra also shared her experience managing the balance between her professional and personal life. She emphasized the importance of stepping back and allowing oneself to take breaks:
“I used to identify completely with my company. I was Tagwalk. But that’s not sustainable in the long run. Now, I can take breaks. I have a baby, I go home at 4 PM to take care of it and resume work at 8 PM. The key is not to feel guilty for taking time off, even though it wasn’t natural for me at first.”
Beyond her career journey and expertise, Alexandra Van Houtte captivated her audience, and students had the chance to ask her questions and exchange ideas about their own professional and entrepreneurial aspirations.
Her masterclass served as a reminder that innovation and boldness are key to success in the fashion industry, but time management and personal balance are just as crucial for building a sustainable career.
Inspired by Alexandra Van Houtte's insights? Discover how our MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship - Tech Major can help you build your own fashion tech venture.
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