Sabina Bilenko to Raise 500,000 Pounds to a Million Pounds on Crowdcube

LONDON — Sabina Bilenko, the label founded by Uzbekistani-born twin sisters Sabina and Diana Bilenko, is on a mission to raise 500,000 pounds to 1 million pounds in a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, WWD has learned.

The founders have already secured 200,000 pounds.

“Newly raised funds will be used to boost our sales by raising brand recognition, enhancing visibility among key buyers and media. We will be allocating the funds to digital marketing and hope to showcase our two couture collections at Paris haute couture,” said Sabina Bilenko in a joint interview with Diana.

They also want to increase the brand’s presence in key markets such as the Middle East, U.S. and India.

The Middle East is the brand’s biggest market for bespoke and ready-to-wear combined. They sell intricate pieces that retail for up to 150,000 pounds in the region.

Bridal is another arm of the business that’s big with the local clientele.

“We have a loyal haute couture clientele in the Middle East and the clients we have built through couture were very enthusiastic to start shopping with the brand at a rtw level through the local retailers,” said Diana Bilenko.

“We also see a lot of potential in the U.S. market due to their buying power and appetite for occasion dressing and our couture business has been fast growing in the region, particularly influenced by the red carpet dressing we do,” Sabina Bilenko added.

The brand has dressed Jessica Alba, Nicki Minaj, Paris Hilton, Fan Bingbing, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and most recently pop star Camila Cabello, who wore a light pink number to the BAFTAs in London.

The next morning they already had clients enquiring about Cabello’s dress.

“There is no question the red carpet has played a big part in the growth of our business. Being a couture house, it means we have the flexibility to do custom pieces and alterations very easily,” said Sabina Bilenko.