Fashion Business Series / Session 5 : Legal & Small Business

Fashion Business Series presented by: San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance, Inc. [SFFAMA]. This essential workshop is for individuals, students and professionals looking to start or expand their business in the local San Francisco fashion industry and to learn from companies offering business services that are invaluable to success as a fashion entrepreneur. Perfect networking opportunity for fashion startups, fashion designers, students, retailers, entrepreneurs, boutique and business owners. Connect with other professionals in the San Francisco fashion industry. RSVP HERE! 

#SFFashionLab : One Summer Night Popup

Join SFFashionLab’s ‘One Summer Night Popup’  to network and socialize with San Francisco fashion industry { SFFI } professionals, talents, startups, retailers and designers… Support the local “Made in San Francisco” brands by local emerging fashion designers… Demo new stylish tech products with Fashion+TechSF members. 

• RSVP TO ATTEND: http://bit.ly/1pVXJWl

#SFFashionLab is SFFAMA’s fashion incubator project for talented emerging designers. Leveraging the heritage, creativity and entrepreneurial spark of the San Francisco Bay Area as a “living innovation laboratory,” participants will experience San Francisco’s unique fashion industry DNA, evolving fashion personality, and the impact of technology and innovation on future strategic directions, as a primer to explore and inform their own individual design process and direction. SF Fashion Lab’s program includes Advisory Board business and strategy mentorship, a design and online retail project, events, and a behind-the-scenes look at new business with innovative Bay Area brands, designers, developers, manufacturers, retailers, and startups.

Pret-A-PorterSF {SF Design Week 2014} #PAPSF14 featuring SFFashionLab

“PRÊT-À-PORTER SF” is one of the many successful fashion events along, with Project San Francisco, The Beauty Expo, Fashion Feud, Fashion Tech Week and San Francisco Fashion Week ™, that SFFAMA has brought to fruition, which are all labors of love with strong community support. One ofSFFAMA’s main goals is to establish San Francisco as a global fashion destination and as a catalyst of fashion and technology convergence. SFFAMA strongly believes in social good “to utilize fashion-to apply-to make impact” in our ongoing philanthropic efforts and mentorship program with our initiatives and fashion incubator, SFFashionLab. Pret-A-PorterSF was nominated for Best Runway Event for the past four consecutive years at San Francisco Fashion Awards.

• RSVP via EVENTBRITE
• DOORS OPEN AT 7pm, RUNWAY STARTS AT 7:30PM
• WINE AND SPIRITS WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE RUNWAY SHOW
• MEDIA MUST APPLY TO COVER THIS EVENT
• DRESS CODE ENFORCED/ DRESS TO IMPRESS

SFFashionLab’s Dhanya Gutta - Betabrand ‘Lightweight Midi Flare Dress’ Crowdfunding Campaign

Dhanya Gutta introduces her Edison-inspired concept:

I was inspired by one of the greatest inventions of all time: Electricity. This invention is a direct representation of human power to achieve anything. If you want to see this concept get made, please be sure to vote to make it happen. READ MORE / VOTE HERE! 

Fashion Pitch Competition : SF Fashion Lab

[Photos by: SFPaparazzi]

• #SFFashionLab Fashion Pitch Competition »> Find out more about #SFFashionLab, visit: http://sffashionlab.org/
• #FashionTechWeek 2014 »> To find out more about #FashionTechWeek, visit: http://www.fashiontechweek.org/

Fashion Business Series - Local SF Fashion Industry Resources & Fashion Founders’ Panel “Why SF?”

FASHION BUSINESS SERIES. SF Resources for the Local Fashion Industry and Fashion Founders’ Panel “Why SF?” If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. But why make it in New York when you can make it in San Francisco? This special presentation will seek to answer that question by moderating a panel of prominent San Francisco based fashion founders who will tell you why they founded their companies in the city by the bay. RSVP HERE!

Betabrand Think Tank & SF Fashion Lab : Fashion Pitch Competition & Design Challenge

#SFFashionLab is SFFAMA’s fashion incubator project for talented emerging designers. Leveraging the heritage, creativity and entrepreneurial spark of the San Francisco Bay Area as a “living innovation laboratory,” participants will experience San Francisco’s unique fashion industry DNA, evolving fashion personality, and the impact of technology and innovation on future strategic directions, as a primer to explore and inform their own individual design process and direction. SF Fashion Lab’s program includes Advisory Board business and strategy mentorship, a design and online retail project, events, and a behind-the-scenes look at new business with innovative Bay Area brands, designers, developers, manufacturers, retailers, and startups. 

• APPLY TO PITCH HERE
• RSVP TO ATTEND

Find out more about Betabrand:

• Betabrand.com
• Think Tank

Find out more about #SFFashionLab:

• Follow : https://twitter.com/SFFashionLab
• Like : https://www.facebook.com/sffashionlab
• Instagram : http://instagram.com/sffashionlab
• Watch vids : https://www.youtube.com/user/sffashionlab
• Join Fashion Startups Meetup : http://www.meetup.com/fashionstartups/

#SFFashionLab: Fashion Pitch Competition {Recap}

[ Source : Mira Musank ]

Five local emerging designers Maricella Olague, Leela Dhanya Gutta, Katie Campbell, Anubha Srivastav, and Alyssa Casares had 5 minutes each to present the design concepts behind their collection and their short-term and long-term business goals to a panel of judges. The panel included Geetika Gupta (Academic Art Director, School of Fashion, The Art Institute of California – San Francisco), Gwendolyn Wright (from The Wright Consultants), Mikel Rosen (London Fashion Week Founder & Professor, The Art Institute of California – San Francisco), and Liz Rossof (Content Producer, Betabrand). The judges then had 5 minutes to give feedback. At the end of the evening, they chose one overall winner, as well as one more designer to work with Betabrand to develop and sell one of her creations to the public! CONTINUE READING…

Intel's "Smart Fashion" wearable tech strategy

What Does An INTEL Technology Strategy For Fashion And Luxury Look Like?

At SFFAMA, we’ve been forecasting a change in traditional technology and brand ownership roles for fashion and technology, and advising wearable tech startups to also look at providing a quality development platform that could mitigate barriers-to-entry for potential fashion industry partnerships and investments. True to form, Intel has announced ‘Smart Fashion” initiatives including strategic alliances with the CFDA, Barney’s New York and the design duo behind Opening Ceremony (and Kenzo), to bring a true fashion wearable product to market, and also reference designs and a range of entry-level wearable platforms to allow rapid integration and development by entrepreneurs and designers.

Intel might have missed out on smart phones, but could have a winner with “Smart Fashion.” | Check-out : Intel Smart Fashion 

ROAD - Retail Design Show

Conceived over the course of 5 years, ROAD – Retail Design Show is Abramo Manfrotto’s exploration into how retail has evolved. Manfrotto, CEO of ALU noticed a peculiar thing. Quality decisions that top retail industry executives were charged to make regarding retail design were being hindered. Their companies were suffering due to the lack of the proper components not being readily available in the right place at the right time, in the right atmosphere. The potential of these talented visionaries were delayed.

Products within the visual merchandising, retail store environment, and customer experience are assets to consumers when making a final decision to purchase. Currently, the only place to review and select items that would fit the brand values and effect purchasing choices are found in traditional tradeshow platforms.

• See more photos from the exhibit HERE. 

Stella Carakasi Studio - Warehouse and Production Tour

Stella Carakasi is a division of Two Star Dog, Inc. based in Berkeley, California. The company was founded by Allan and Steven Boutrous, and Stella Carakasi joined in 1993. Carakasi was the missing ingredient to the Boutrous brothers’ quest to create a new company in a new industry. Stella Carakasi is a premium collection of women’s clothing that combines European architectural influences with casual elegance. Texture, fabric manipulation, surprise details, and unique combinations create the special consumer experience that gives true meaning to the upscale boutique concept.

• See more photos of the tour HERE.

ROAD - Retail Design Show : How Beauty Retail Can Teach Fashion

The retail beauty industry has performed outstandingly under the tough economic conditions of the last few years. This has been linked to dynamic innovations in both retail experience and product strategy that move the consumer to buy.

Innovative retail concepts such as service-orientated nail salons and blowout bars have created stand-alone beauty destination. This has furthered the gain of the beauty category in market share. We talk to key industry insiders to see how they made beauty turn into what other categories wish they could turn into. RSVP Here. 

Fashion Law Boot Camp For Fashion Professionals, Attorneys, and Law and Design Students - San Francisco, California

For the first time ever, the Fashion Law Institute in New York is partnering up with Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco to offer a six-day intensive fashion law course geared to fashion professionals, attorneys, and law and design students.

The Fashion Law Institute, based at Fordham Law School in New York, had never offered this program outside of New York. “After three years of planning this, we’re quite excited,” said Susan Scafidi, the Fashion Law Institute’s founder, in an email.

The boot camp—which will cover topics such as intellectual-property rights, copyrights, trademarks, finance, business, government regulations and civil rights—will take place Aug. 4–9 at Levi’s Plaza in downtown San Francisco.

There will be guest lecturers from the fashion industry as well as attorneys who have worked in this discipline.

“Since its launch in 2010, we have been looking forward to helping the Fashion Law Institute in its efforts to share knowledge and information,” said Thomas Onda, chief intellectual-property counsel at Levi Strauss, who spearheaded Levi’s collaboration.

In Southern California, Loyola Law School recently started offering a concentration of fashion law classes at its downtown Los Angeles campus. In late July, the law school will offer a 10-day intensive fashion law seminar.

For more information about the Fashion Law Institute and the San Francisco boot camp, visit : Fashion Law Institute. 

Get more information about Loyola Law School’s fashion law program, 

Apply Today: The International Woolmark Prize | CFDA

The International Woolmark Prize is an award for outstanding achievers in the early stages of their career who have shown promise and dedication in establishing and growing a fashion business. The 2014-2015 International Woolmark Prize will be open to men’s and womenswear designers, CFDA members, and for the first time, non-members. Previous US Winners include CFDA members, Joseph Altuzarra for the 2013/14 prize and Sophie Theallet for the 2012/2013 prize.

A men’s and womenswear regional finalist will be awarded AUD$50,000 each and the opportunity to compete at the international final event in 2015. The global men’s and womenswear winners will be awarded a further AUD$100,000, and their winning collections will be commercialized through a network of leading retail stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, New York; Harvey Nichols, London; Joyce, China and 10 Corso Como, Milan. Last year’s USA regional winner Joseph Altuzarra, will go onto compete in the 2013/14 International Woolmark Prize  final event which will be held during Milan fashion week in February.

The judging panel for the 2013/2014 final event is as follows:

• Angelica Cheung, Editor-at-Large, Vogue China
• Colette Garnsey, Director, Australian Wool Innovation (parent company of The Woolmark Company)
• Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Italia, L’Uomo Vogue Italia and Vogue.it. Editorial Director of Condé Nast Italia. “Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development” for the UN
• Frida Giannini, Creative Director, Gucci
• Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Style.com

A full competition overview can be accessed here. 

If you are a designer, or label, who FIT THE CRITERIA and would like to be considered for nomination for the 2014/15 award, please submit a completed submission form HERE by January 27, 2014 to Ashley Sandall at a.sandall@cfda.com

Comprehensive Course: Launch Your Line

In this comprehensive course, we’ll share the secrets and step-by-step tactics you need to take your brand from samples to stockists. From sourcing fabrics, working with contractors and agents, to planning your first tradeshow, this course effectively introduces you to what you need to know to successfully launch your fashion business. 

• How to source the right pattern maker
• How to find the right contractors for your brand
• The most accurate method to cost your designs for production and retail sales
• Our ‘Back Into’ technique — setting your wholesale prices with profits in mind
• Finding your sales rep who understands and champions your brand
• Finding the trade show that is the best fit for your business

Come with your ideas, ready to brainstorm! Start Date: January 23, 2014. For class info CLICK HERE. 

SFFashionLab : SFFAMA's Fashion Incubator / Product Services Presentation

SFFAMA to reintroduce SFFAMA’s Fashion Incubator ’SFFASHIONLAB“ & Premium Membership…Introduction of community partners. Find out more about ‘SFFashionLab’, our community partners & SFFAMA’s premium membership on December 12th, 2013. Who should attend: fashion designers, stylists, fashion bloggers, vc’s & investors, fashion startups, students, fashion entrepreneurs & retail industry professionals…We will also discuss Retail Tech Summit & Fashion Tech Week 2014…Recruiting talents for startup projects…Who should attend: fashion designers, stylists, fashion bloggers, vc’s & investors, fashion startups…We will discuss Retail Tech Summit & Fashion Tech Week… We are also recruiting talents for startup projects… Beer and wine will be served… $10 to attend this event…LIMITED SPACE / RSVP REQUIRED or visit SFFashionLab. 

San Francisco Fashion Industry: LOCAL RESOURCES [Fashion Business Series]

San Francisco Fashion Industry: LOCAL SERVICES… Fashion Business Series presented by: San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance, Inc. [SFFAMA]. This essential workshop is for individuals, students and professionals looking to start or expand their business in the local San Francisco fashion industry and to learn from companies offering business services that are invaluable to success as a fashion entrepreneur. Perfect networking opportunity for fashion startups, fashion designers, students, retailers, entrepreneurs, boutique and business owners. Connect with other professionals in the San Francisco fashion industry… Free to students with current student ID, must present ID for free admission. Featuring: PeopleWearSF, Boon Road, The Wright Consultants and Storefront. Book/RSVP Here. 

San Francisco Fashion Industry: LOCAL RESOURCES [Fashion Business Series]

San Francisco Fashion Industry: LOCAL SERVICES… Fashion Business Series presented by: San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance, Inc. [SFFAMA].

This essential workshop is for individuals, students and professionals looking to start or expand their business in the local San Francisco fashion industry and to learn from companies offering business services that are invaluable to success as a fashion entrepreneur. Perfect networking opportunity for fashion startups, fashion designers, students, retailers, entrepreneurs, boutique and business owners. Connect with other professionals in the San Francisco fashion industry. RSVP HERE!

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel at The Castro

Banana Republic presents the special screening of the film Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel. Q&A with Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland with Fashion Icon Joy Venturini Bianchi. 

During Diana Vreeland’s fifty year reign as the “Empress of Fashion,” she launched Twiggy, advised Jackie Onassis, and established countless trends that have withstood the test of time. She was the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar where she worked for twenty-five years before becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue, followed by a remarkable stint at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where she helped popularize its historical collections. The San Francisco Chronicle called the film, “CAPTIVATING. INSIGHTFUL.”.

Fashion Incubator SF : Open Call For Designers

Designers In Residence Program

Fashion Incubator San Francisco at Macy’s Union Square provides six emerging San Francisco-based apparel designers with the resources — including work space, curriculum, and mentoring — to launch their careers in fashion.

Throughout the course of a year, the Designers in Residence (DIR) are required to complete a mandatory core curriculum focused on business development and garment production. Conducted at both the Incubator location at Macy’s Union Square as well as at off-site locations, these workshops are essential to the FISF program and attendance is required. At the time of acceptance, a calendar with proposed monthly workshop dates will be provided. These dates are subject to change, and the DIR adjust their schedules accordingly.

• For Eligibility and To Apply: Visit FISF Here. 

For ideas, marketing inquiries, media relations, strategic partnership, product promotions, sponsorship opportunities and booking info. Contact: FashionTechPR: Owen Geronimo, send an email to: info@fashiontechpr.com or visit: http://flavors.me/fashiontechpr