Proof of Usefulness Report

Fashion Quarterly

Analysis completed on 1/26/2026

+291
Proof of Usefulness Score
Gaining Momentum

Fashion Quarterly is a verified, legacy media brand in New Zealand (est. 1980) with a dominant local market share (59% of retail fashion magazines). However, the project scores lower on a technology-focused evaluation due to a lack of technical innovation (standard media production) and limited global scalability (regional audience of ~150k). The submission quality was poor, utilizing exaggerated claims ('everyone' as audience) and ambiguous financial data ('all time marketcap: 500000'). While it has strong real-world utility as a cultural staple in NZ, it operates in a mature/declining sector (print media) compared to high-growth tech ventures.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+15.0
Audience Reach Impact+3.0
Technical Innovation+0.38
Evidence Of Traction+13.0
Market Timing Relevance+2.0
Functional Completeness+1.0
Subtotal+34.38
Usefulness Multiplierx0.85
Final Score+291

Project Details

Project URL
Description
Elcoat Media is a cross-platform media company delivering local and global content across fashion, beauty, life & culture, and travel. It is the owner of Fashion Quarterly magazine and the FQ brand & platforms. Fashion Quarterly is the authority in New Zealand fashion, an advocate for high-quality brands and powerful narratives. Fashion Quarterly is NZ’s leading, and most read fashion publication. The brand has been New Zealand’s style authority for 40 years and enjoys a 59% market share at retail, has a significant digital footprint, and is recognised as the industry leader. Not only is it the country’s most widely read fashion title, it actively places fashion at the forefront. The iconic brand explores style and the title’s related pillars through an intelligent, forward-thinking lens while capturing the uniqueness and diversity of New Zealand women. Established in 1980, FQ has been an institution in the NZ fashion industry producing editorial shoots where they not only support established fashion designers, but also up and coming fashion designers and industry leaders across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and travel. As the owner of such an iconic brand, Elcoat Media feels a strong sense of responsibility to honor its legacy while future-proofing the brand in a transforming digital landscape.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Growing utility with room for optimization
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline