Just when apparel manufacturers were leaving the market, Stanley Szeto decided to go all in. It was a move that paid off in an IPO last November.
Now the company's executive chairman, Stanley saw that with the right strategy, apparel manufacturing could in fact be a profitable business. The key was to find that strategy.
It turns out the rise of digital native (often called 'Indie' ) brands was the right opportunity at the right time. Lever Style's ability to handle small orders, plus their hands on customer service, was the solution that these up and coming brands needed.
Lever Style became the go-to source for indie brands that required more sophisticated off shore sourcing. The company also continued working with traditional big brands.
Lever Style’s capabilities cover an industry-leading range of apparel product categories for men, women, and kids, across both woven and knit products. Its versatile, multi-country manufacturing platform is geared for quick response and flexible order sizes.
The company is known for its technical competency and product development capability, honed over decades working with the world’s most discerning designers.
Lever Style has embraced environmental sustainability with its proprietary green wash that eliminates waste water discharge and its extensive use of sustainable and circular fabrics. It won the Silver Award in sustainability from The World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
At FASHCON Stanley will share what he's learned working with Indie brands and where he sees the future of apparel sourcing.
About Stanley Szeto
Stanley Szeto is Executive Chairman of Lever Style Inc., a Hong Kong Main Board-listed apparel manufacturing group behind many digital retailers and premium brands. It is a supply partner of e-commerce pioneers such as Bonobos, Stitch Fix and Everlane, and fashion leaders including Theory, Hugo Boss, AllSaints, Vince, Rag & Bone and Paul Smith.
Recognized for his vision and innovation, Stanley won the EY (Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2018. Earlier in his career, he received the Young Industrialist Award of Hong Kong from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries in 2009.
As Honorary Chairman of Hong Kong Textile Council, Stanley acts as the voice for the industry in Hong Kong. He represented the Textile and Apparel sector as an Election Committee member to select the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017.
Keenly involved in the industry, Stanley serves as Board Member of the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center, an interdisciplinary research center and innovation think tank at the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. He is also Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Garment Manufacturers Association, Director of the Federation of Hong Kong Garments Manufacturers, Director of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, past Member of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Advisory Committee on Textile and Clothing Industries, and past Member of Hong Kong Government’s Textiles Advisory Board.
Outside of the industry, Stanley serves on the Trade and Industry Department’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee to advise the Hong Kong Government on issues affecting small businesses. He is also past Council Member of the Hong Kong Consumer Council, past Chairman of the Hong Kong chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), past Chairman of the Hong Kong chapter of Mensa, and past President of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Hong Kong.
Prior to joining Lever Style in 2000, Stanley worked at J.P. Morgan’s investment banking division, and later at PAMA, an Asian buyout firm with over US$1 billion under management. Stanley served on the boards of companies in PAMA’s portfolio, focusing on strategy and management issues.
Stanley graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, triple-majoring in Finance, Entrepreneurial Management, and Legal Studies.