Breaking Boundaries in Fashion: Corey Dixon’s Journey Into the World of Entrepreneurship

By Ellie Murray.

Corey Dixon never set out to launch a gender-neutral fashion brand. In fact, her journey began in the wardrobe department of a cruise ship. But life has a way of steering us towards unexpected paths. When the pandemic hit and cruise ships came to a halt, Corey found herself back in England, navigating loss and searching for a creative outlet.

"I lost my mam at the beginning of lockdown," Corey shared. "I needed a distraction, something to focus on. I started making COVID facemasks, and they kind of went viral. People were actually buying them. I thought, if they like these, maybe they'll like clothes I make too."

What began as an experiment soon turned into something much bigger. Corey started upcycling garments at home, sharing her creations on Instagram.

"At first, it was just for fun," she said. "But then people started messaging me saying, Corey, these are actually really cool. One thing led to another, and here I am."

Creating Fashion Without Limits  

Growing up in the theatre world, Corey was surrounded by individuals struggling to express their true selves. That experience shaped the foundation of Somebody Else's Guy – a brand built on inclusivity, identity and self-expression.

"I've always known people who felt like they couldn't fully be who they are," Corey explained. "When I create clothes, I want them to enable people to feel confident."

Despite the rising popularity of gender-neutral fashion, Corey acknowledges that there's still a long road ahead. "We're in a generation that's split. Some of us are really pushing for change, but there's still an older generation who don't fully understand it. Gender-neutral fashion is slowly making its way into bigger companies, but we have a long way to go."

The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship  

Turning a passion into a business wasn't without its struggles. Corey found herself wearing multiple hats – designer, accountant, social media manager – all while navigating the unpredictable nature of the industry.

"One day, I'd have no sales, and the next, H from Steps wanted to wear my designs," she laughed. "It's like a rollercoaster. You have these insane highs, followed by moments where you're like what the hell am I doing? At the end of the day, I know I'll get there."

The one-woman show was not the only thing Corey had to juggle at the start of her journey. She also faced criticism online – discourse debating whether her work was truly fashion.

"Jealousy comes with success. Funnily enough, H from Steps was the one who told me, the more successful you get, the more jealousy you'll receive. And he was right."

Corey's resilience is unwavering, fuelled by the thought of making her mother proud.

"Even now, years later, I find myself questioning why I even started. But then I remember why - to make my mam proud – that really keeps me going. Sometimes I just need to give my head a wobble to see how far I've come."

Breaking Barriers in Fashion  

Corey is also acutely aware of the gender imbalance in the fashion industry. "The biggest brands are male-dominated because business has always been male-dominated. I think now we are starting to see women are starting to gain the confidence to go out there and get things done."

Social media has played both a supportive and frustrating role in her journey. "There's a lot of pressure to be taken seriously," she admitted. "Some influencers expect free clothes. I spend hours making my pieces, even going to the post office takes time out of my day. No one works in Tesco for free, so why should I?"

Thankfully, the support from Corey's inner circle has remained steadfast. "My friends and family think I'm mad, but they're supportive," she laughed. "I send my dad photos of my work, he'll reply with a thumbs up, bless him. And I know if mam was still here, she'd probably work alongside me."

If she could go back in time, she'd tell her younger self to stop caring what other people think. Corey opened up to me about feeling different in school, as if she didn't fit in. "Let the bullies bully and toast a 'cheers' to the jealous people." As so kindly pointed out by H, jealousy is an inevitable part of growing success. And so, it's up to you which part of that equation you focus your energy on.

Success, Sustainability and the Future of Fashion  

Corey's biggest achievement? "Being featured in Vogue," she told me without hesitation. "And my pop-up in Fenwicks – that was surreal. A friend had to pull me aside and said Corey, take it all in, people can buy your clothes in a department store right now."

She also dressed someone for the Oscars and the Brit Awards – all in the same weekend. "But I still get doubts all the time. Then things like that happen and I have to say to myself, you know what, you are doing alright!"

Corey is probably the only person I've ever heard talk to positively about being her worst critic. But God, it was enlightening. Doubt is something that often happens to her as a perfectionist. However, she emphasised their importance, saying how they keep her humble and if anything, drive her to carry on.

Sustainability is another core value driving Somebody Else's Guy. "I don't make anything from scratch," she explained. "Fast fashion is killing the planet. When you upcycle, you're working with what already is out there. No added carbon footfall, no wasted water."

Looking to the future, she envisions gender-neutral fashion becoming the norm, and hopefully, sustainability will follow suit. But "not anytime soon – there are existing designers, through no fault of their own, trained to design for either a female body or a male body. But one day, we will eventually have fashion designers who design for all."

The Impact of Entrepreneurship  

I was curious to know how stumbling into entrepreneurship had impacted Corey. It was a bit of a surprise, an idea she had that simply just "exploded."

"I feel so much more confident. I've become a happier person. It's rewarding to be making my own money and doing something I am so passionate about has bettered my mental health. I feel organised – not fully there, but more than I was. I just appreciate everything around me so much more."

Words to Live by  

Reflecting on her journey, she urges young entrepreneurs to take the leap. Looking back, Corey feels that she went back and forth for so long debating all the "what ifs" before she realised just how short life is.

A valuable lesson taught by another star-studded client, Alison Hammond was to "appreciate where you are right now. Yes, you're skint, you work hard, but one day you will look back at these times and be grateful for them." The point is to find joy in the silences and the hardships because you're essentially paving the way for your future, successful self. That self who is beaming with pride whilst reflecting on where they started vs where they are now.

I knew I loved Alison for a reason.

So, for all reading, no matter what stage you're at on your entrepreneurial rollercoaster, as Corey would say, "give your head a wobble," if you're overwhelmed with doubts, try to appreciate the hiccups here and there.

After all, perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.

Let Corey set an example. Her journey is a testament to resilience, passion and the power of staying true to oneself. She's not just designing clothes; she's redefining fashion, one upcycled garment at a time.

Ellie Murray is a passionate and inquisitive journalist who is skilled in investigative storytelling and driven by curiosity; connect with Ellie directly on LinkedIn