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Global Purchasing Companies
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I just updated the email to include
some background info on the speakers.
The workshop is open to only 50 students and we
have 28 spaces available as of today.
After years of being an invited speaker at
tradeshows, fashion weeks, and schools I have noticed how little real
life information there is out there. I have also found
after taking several workshops myself, the information is
not genuine or complete. From what I have seen many of them are just
hour long pitches trying to sell you something.
So we have developed this program for new
designers in order to help guide them through all the steps needed to
be successful. The speakers we have chosen are all industry veterans
but their names may not be familiar to you. Real industry moguls
are not household names, they prefer to stay out of the limelight.
Think Jessica Simpson. She is the "front" of a billion
dollar (yes that is a real number) clothing and accessories brand but
the "people" behind her are the ones that made her that
billion.
This group is not made up of professional
speakers that might have hidden agendas. They are true garmentos,
they love this industry, have great passion for it and are taking some
of their personal time to give back.
We have
listed below the speakers and a little bio about them.
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The day will be broken up into eight 50 minute
workshops. For lunch, a boxed lunch will be served, which most likely
will be pretty crappy, but I would like you to stay around so that
you can network with each other and the speakers.
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Friday July 22, 2011
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9:00 AM
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Understanding
how the Industry Works
Given by
Mercedes Gonzalez
Mercedes has worked as a buyer,
in production development & has been a strategist for
over 19 years. She has worked with Sears and other department
stores but her love is for the main street retailer.
An overview of why some designers make it and some never
will. Fashion, design and talent are not enough to make it in this industry.
Have you ever wondered why all great designers have a "day
job"? Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton - Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
- Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein - John Galliano for Christian Dior
- Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. This review of the industry
will help you set your long term and short term goals.
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10:00 AM
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Forecasting
and Developing a Signature
Given by:
Mauricio Barrera
A love
affair for the NYC Garment Center
that started 10 years ago, Mauricio has become an expert on local
fashion sourcing. His talents lay in establishing, contracting, & supervising
garment manufacturing for one of a kind to mass. He's provided his services to
both upstart and established companies such as Rachel Roy, Anna
Sui, Alice+Olivia.
So many designers look the same and the market
is saturated with many of the same product lines. Understanding
consumer behavior, market share and trends while developing your own
"signature" is the key to standing out in today's market.
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11:00 AM
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Getting it
Right
Given By:
Charles Klein, Esq.
Charles has
been active in the garment center for the past 28 years. Starting
with Sergio Valente as General Counsel to negotiating
domestic and international fashion license
agreements. Charles has lectured on fashion legal issues before the
New York State Society of CPAs, The Fashion Group and the
Organization of Black Designers. He is also a writer and
President of The Fashion Roundtable.
So many new
designers waste incredible amounts of money trade marking,
copyrighting and filing for patents. This class will highlight what
is really needed, when you should start the process and the cost. It
will share with you how to protect your brand, the truth about design
protection and international licensing.
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12:00 PM
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Design,
Sampling and Production
Given by:
Chris Nonn
Chris has
been designing men's sportswear since 1998 for top clothing brands
including Dickies, Avirex, Cockpit, Van Heusen, Kenneth Cole,
Jordache, & CBGB's.
Most new designers take the "do it yourself"
approach to sampling. They do everything from buying the fabrics to
being the messenger from pattern maker, to cutter, to factory. This
workshop will make the difference in having a hobby (producing
anything less than 100) and a business. Design communication,
sourcing the right factory, negotiating price & quality controls
are all topics covered.
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2:00 PM
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Using Social
Media to Launch a New Brand
Given By:
Ngozi Odita
Ngozi
has over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry running an
independent fashion label and as co-owner of Harriet's Alter
Ego. Currently, Ngozi is Founder of Society HAE an online
media site & event production company that promotes emerging
art and culture.She also teaches at the Fashion Institute of
Technology, and has worked with the Museum of American Design,
the Brooklyn Museum, Lincoln Center & African Film Festival,
Inc to incorporate social media in to their public programs.
It's been very well documented that you need a
minimum of 2 million dollars to build a brand, but with today's
social media the cost could be as little as $25 a week. This workshop
will explore some gorilla marketing and editorial
placement.
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3:00 PM
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Making the Sale
Given by:
Shannan Catlett
Shannan has
over 20 years of sales experience working in showrooms,
tradeshows and on the road. She has worked with Saks,
Macy's, Bloomingdale and 100's of specialty boutiques. Currently she
works for White + Warren a cashmere company based in New York.
You could have the best, well priced new product in the
world but if you don't get the sale you have nothing but a dream.
This workshop talks about hitting the streets (yes that is the only
way you are going to make your first round of sales) tradeshows, and
market weeks. It will help you set a budget and game plan. It will
also cover how to get a buyer's attention.
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4:00 PM
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Financing
the Line
Given by:
Gary Wassner
Gary is the president of Hilldun,
which finances young designers, offers loans and other forms of
credit. Past clients include everyone from Marc Jacobs to Tommy
Hilfiger. Current clients include up-and-coming designers with the
potential to build real businesses. He is a CFDA Fashion Incubator
Advisory Board Member and Mentor.
So many young designers limit themselves for fear of not
having the money to produce the collection. This workshop will teach
you how to limit risk, how to develop an investors pitch and what to
expect from them. You will learn the difference between, Investors,
Venture Capitalist, Angels, Banks, Money men, SBA and Grants and
decide which one is right for you.
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5:00 PM
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Logistics,
Distribution Center & Operations
Given by:
Tina Stamou
Tina has
been working operations for over 20 years with international brands
like Custo Barcelona to small independent designers. There is no part of the back office operations
and logistics Tina hasn't streamlined.
Here is the tricky "back office" stuff no one
wants to deal with, yet it could break your business. Getting your
goods to the store on time and the way they want it packed is no easy
task. Many young designers think it's fun to pack the shipments from
home. That gets old fast. This workshop will help you see the big
picture and have your supply chain in place. You will learn how your
DC can zero out to no cost and the importance of CRM. Don't know what
DC and CRM are? You will.
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6:15 PM - 7:00 PM
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Closing
Panel Discussion
All of the speakers will give one last word of advice
and then the floor will be open to questions and answers.
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Cost
and Guarantee
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The cost of the full day Fashion Designers Intensive to be held in New York City
is $450 dollars.
I understand if you might have some concerns
about the pricing. We really took the time to price this as fairly as
possible. I would like you to think of the cost like this: Just one
good point, just one connection, just one "oh I didn't know
that's how it's done", is worth thousands of dollars in avoiding
mistakes. I don't run a not for profit and I am going to teach you
how to not run one also. 450 dollars is a small investment in the
future of your company. In the 13 years that I have been giving workshops
I have always offered a money back guarantee, and no one has ever
asked me for one. I will extend that same policy to this Fashion
Designers Intensive. If you are not 100% happy that you have learned
something new I will be there at the end of the panel with my check
book.
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Refund
Policy
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You must
preregister for the Fashion Designers Intensive. No walk ins on
the day of will be excepted. Registration closes 14 days prior
to the event or when 50 students have registered. There are no
refunds given if you cancel your reservation within 14 days
prior to the event. A 10% refund fee will be deducted from your
refund (for the PayPal and credit card fee that I still have to pay,
I'm really trying not to be stingy).
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