Recaps of Fashion Business Webinars

Presented By: Tim Moore, Hilldun Corp

Tim Moore, Executive VP of Hilldun Corporation discusses the key financial fundamentals and how to finance an omni channel fashion or luxury brand business.

About Tim Moore
Executive VP and Director at Hilldun Corporation is an expert in the Key Financial Fundamentals in the Fashion Industry and how to finance an omni channel fashion business. Hilldun has been financing fashion brands along with manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, and service providers across a wide range of industries since 1958. Hilldun provides credit protection/Accounts Receivable management, accounts receivable and purchase order financing along with a variety of other financial programs. Hilldun represents over 500 of America's top fashion designers including R13, IRO, Jason Wu, Ulla Johnson, Nili Lotan, Naeem Khan, Mansur Gavriel, Cushnie Et Ochs, ALC, Jonathan Simkhai, Isabel Mirant, Mara Hoffman.

Presented By: Nancy Marino, Columbus Consulting

Nancy Marino, Principal at Columbus Consulting, and an expert in Go-To-Market Strategies discusses the Supply Chain of the Future.

About Nancy Marino
Nancy Marino is a Principal at Columbus Consulting with a proven track record of successfully leading retailers and brands for implementation of processes from design to delivery and development of their Go-To-Market strategies. She is respected for her leadership skills and project management oversight for executing system initiatives and international acumen having managed global sourcing and buying offices in over 50 countries. Nancy is a decision leader and change management expert. Nancy’s focus is on merchandising, product development, international operations, and supply chain strategies from design to delivery for retailers and brands.

Nancy most recently was EVP/Chief Supply Chain Officer of Gloria Jeans located in Russia and prior to this assignment was President of Design, Sourcing & Production for Russell Newman, an intimate apparel company selling to U.S. and International better specialty, department and mid-tier stores. Prior to joining R.N. Designs, Nancy was Senior Vice President of Hanes Branded Apparel, responsible for international operations for Hanes’ buying offices worldwide, including oversight for sourcing and production for all branded apparel brands.

Nancy also lead Brand Development and Worldwide Sourcing, as Senior Vice President for Sears, with offices located throughout the Far East, South East Asia, and Europe. Nancy was responsible for the design and development of all Sears’ Private Brand programs for Apparel and Home Fashions, along with direct responsibility for Sears’ International Buying Offices worldwide, providing merchandising, quality control, technical design and support for production follow up and compliance.

Prior to joining Sears, Ms. Marino was President and CEO of Linmark, an international sourcing agent operating a B2B Global Marketplace, which provided a trading environment for worldwide sourcing and production for hard lines and apparel. Before joining Linmark, Ms. Marino was President and CEO of Frederick Atkins, a leading international marketing and product development buying office wholly-owned by U.S. and international department stores with a combined retail sales volume of $14.0B.

Nancy also spent over 8 years at Associated Merchandising Corporation as Executive Vice-President, International Operations, Sourcing and Production. AMC was one of the largest overseas buying agents with offices in 54 countries.

Nancy started her career at Federated Department Stores and held various buying and management positions before joining Bradlees as Senior VP/GMM of Softlines, followed by an assignment at Lerner's, a division of The Limited, as VP/GMM.

Presented By: Madison Fiore, Hawke Media

Madison Fiore, Director of Growth at Hawke Media and an expert on Performance Marketing and Business Strategies.

About Madison Fiore
Madison Fiore is a Performance Marketing and Business Strategist at his core. Over the last 10 years, he has worked with and professionally consulted over 200 brands.

As the Director of Growth at Hawke Media, an award-winning Outsourced CMO and marketing agency, Madison has helped scale the agency from less than 50 employees to over 150 by growing, grooming, and managing Hawke's 20+ consulting team. In three years with Hawke Media, Madison has contributed to remarkable revenue growth from $5M in 2017 to $20M+ in 2019.

Prior to Hawke, Madison co-founded and launched three brands while consulting on dozens of other projects with clients in a variety of industries. This experience led to his passion for supporting brand's growth. As an entrepreneur and brand marketing expert, Madison has become a trusted advisor and partner to companies of all shapes and sizes including Hawke Ventures.

Presented By: Danielle Garno, Reed Smith, LLP

Danielle Garno, co-chair of the Retail Industry Group at the law firm of Reed Smith, LLP and an expert in fashion start-ups and multinational global brands.

About Danielle Garno
Danielle focuses her practice on issues faced by the fashion community, including startup phase and commercial advice, intellectual property such as trademark and copyright infringement, social media marketing, advertising, and anti-counterfeiting, as well as employment and general business litigation. She has significant experience litigating both individual and class actions. Danielle also has a substantial white-collar practice, defending businesses in white collar disputes, alleged fraud actions, and federal and state indictments. When necessary, she also manages internal investigations and represents clients before state and federal regulatory bodies.

Danielle represents fashion clients of all sizes from startups to multinational, global brands, helping them navigate through legal issues as well as counseling them on growing and sustaining a successful brand. She is co-chair of the firm's Retail Industry Group.

Danielle has written extensively and lectured all over the country on topics relating to fashion law and currently teaches fashion law at the University of Miami School of Law. She sits on the board of trustees of the YoungArts Foundation and is also counsel to the nonprofit organization Style Saves. Her work has been recognized by Florida Trend, Florida Super Lawyers, and Law360.

Danielle earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and her law degree, cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Presented By: Stuart Mayer, Prager Metis

Stuart Mayer, Managing Partner of Prager Metis CPAs in New York City. Stuart is an accounting expert specializing in fashion, retail real estate, technology and entrepreneurial services.

About Stuart Mayer
Stuart H. Mayer is a Partner of Prager Metis CPAs. Stuart has over twenty years within the accounting profession, with experience in the Fashion, Real Estate and New Business Development industries. He also serves as the Managing Partner -New York, NY Office.

Stuart focuses his practice on new business and client development. He has been instrumental in the strong growth of clients in the fashion and apparel industries. His expertise working with online media and interactive services companies has helped guide them successfully through mergers and acquisition deals. Stuart’s proficiency in those industries was demonstrated when one of his clients was featured in the Wall Street Journal for impressive financial growth.

Stuart has significant experience in certified audits and reviews of financial statements. He works extensively with the real estate industry, including CIRAs, developers, management companies and rental companies.

Stuart has been featured as “Executive of the Month” by New York Real Estate Journal and was selected as a “Top 40 Under 40” by Long Island Business Journal.

Stuart joined Prager Metis upon the combination with Mayer CPAs LLP and Prager Metis in 2016.

Presented By: Chris Vignone, PM Business Advisors

Chris Vignone, CEO & Managing Director in Business Advisory at PM Business Advisors in New York City. Chris' specialty is in Credits & Incentives and Tax Controversy, and is an acclaimed thought leader in the area of Sales & Use Tax. Chris discusses State & Local Taxes: How Fashion Businesses Can Maintain an Edge and Mitigate Risk.

About Chris Vignone
Chris has over 20 years of experience providing business advisory services to corporate America. His clients include many Fortune 1000 companies, and he is an acclaimed thought leader in the area of sales & use tax. Chris has maintained the role of advisory practice leader for several firms before taking the helm as CEO for PMBA in 2015.

Presented By: David Pilnick, Pilnick & Associates

About David Pilnick
David Pilnick is a proven branding executive with over 30 years of experience and expertise in Global Branding and International Retail Development.

As President of Pilnick Associates LLC, David provides advisory services to the private equity, retail, fashion and beauty industries.

Prior to founding Pilnick Associates, David was SVP of International Business Development at Hudson’s Bay Company/Saks Fifth Avenue where he was responsible for leading Saks Fifth Avenue’s international development strategy including the opening of 8 full line Saks stores in the Middle East, Central Asia and Mexico.

Prior to his leadership role at Hudson’s Bay Company/Saks Fifth Avenue, David held executive positions at Liverpool Mexico and Bloomingdale’s where he worked under the leadership of Marvin Traub.

David has been interviewed and quoted in International publications including Forbes, The International New York Times, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and Women’s Wear Daily and is a frequent speaker on International Business Development and Global Branding.

David holds an MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a BSc from New York University.

Presented By: Steve Trayner, Barbarian Marketing

Steve Trayner, Managing Director at The Barbarian Agency, a fashion business development, and creative consulting firm in New York City. Steve started his career in advertising for Nike, BMW, and Mini, and has worked as a consultant, or in executive leadership roles in New York and Los Angles for Stutterheim, Kappa, Daniel Wellington, Weatherproof, and other influential international and domestic brands. Steve brings years of holistic product development, sales strategy, and business trajectory understanding to growing brands. Join us to discuss Brand Building & Strategic Sales.

About Steve Trayner
Steve Trayner is the Managing Director at The Barbarian Agency, a fashion business development, and creative consulting firm in New York City. Steve started his career in 2007 in advertising for Nike, BMW, and Mini in Australia. He has worked as a consultant, or in executive leadership roles in New York and Los Angles for Stutterheim, Kappa, Daniel Wellington, Weatherproof, and other influential international and domestic brands. Steve brings years of holistic product development, sales strategy, and business trajectory understanding to growing brands.

Presented By: Kristen Kern, AAFA

About Kristen Kern
As Manager of Supply Chain and Sustainability Initiatives, Kristen leads the AAFA Sustainability portfolio, working with government and industry professionals to further environmental sustainability in the apparel and footwear industry. She also leads the AAFA Product Safety portfolio, collaborating with stakeholders to create best practices and regulations for safe, quality products for consumers. Kristen holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Fashion Merchandising and Design, and French, with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Tech.

Presented By: Mariam Bin Mahfouz, Julian Chang and Viviana Gabeiras

Fashion is at the intersection of creativity, innovation, art and commerce. A global industry that has accelerated its reach and impact significantly in the last decades.

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) join us and hear from a panel of distinguished designer entrepreneurs from Saudi Arabia, Peru and Venezuela as they share their insights to create a global brand. Registration is complimentary.

Welcoming comments and introductions are provided by Beth Sobol, Founder & CEO of GFBA, and the webinar is moderated by Dr. Susan Amat, VP Education for GEN.

About Mariam Bin Mahfouz
Harnessing the lifestyle and cultural sentiments of the Arab woman, Mariam Bin Mahfouz, originally from Saudi Arabia, marries tradition and culture with contemporary design. In establishing Sotra, her visionary aesthetic is brought to life by combining comfort and style with luxury materials and cutting edge design whilst maintaining the modest sensibilities apparent in Middle Eastern culture.

About Julian Chang
Award winning designer Julian Chang, originally from Peru, is known for his bold prints and signature silhouettes. With a focus on glamorous evening wear and creating one-of-a-kind items, Julian has become one of fashion's most celebrated designers to emerge from Miami. His clients include such superstars as Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Paris Hilton, and Janet Jackson.

About Viviana Gabeiras
Viviana Gabeiras, originally from Venezuela, is renowned for her handiwork with luxury knits, and has been celebrated as an exclusive leader in the mesh contemporary market. Her brand not only represents her lifestyle, but reflects the power of women, and her designs are like an empowering layer of skin. Viviana has been featured in the national and international press including the cover of Women's Wear Daily, and is a regular guest and fashion expert on multiple television shows broadcast on NBC, Univision and CNN.

Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds personifies the definition of a renaissance man. With over 20 years of professional experience in multiple industries, Hammonds has built a solid reputation as a multi-gifted and multi-purposed professional in his roles as a global educator, style expert, lifestyle consultant, and author.

About Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds
An advocate for Higher Education and a lifelong learner, Dr. Hammonds earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Argosy University. Additionally, he earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Alabama State University.

As an Educator, Dr. Hammonds has worked in the public school system as a special education teacher, and he has proudly served as the Fashion Marketing and Design Department Chair at the Art Institute of Atlanta and the Art Institute of Decatur, where he mentored many of his students in both fashion and marketing. One of his greatest achievements during his tenure at The Art Institute of Atlanta was his introduction of the Gap for Community Colleges program, which was a part of “Skills for America’s Future”, a White House initiative that was launched under the Obama administration for numerous institutions and corporations.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Hammonds is known as The Dean of Fashion, and a prominent African-American fashion influencer and trendsetter. As a trendsetter, Hammonds is known for his sartorial style and whimsical fashion, and he was previously recognized by Modern Luxury Magazine as one of Atlanta’s most influential style setters. Dr. Hammonds’ influence in fashion led him to becoming the Assistant Human Resources Manager at Neiman Marcus, where he held this position for 6 years.

Due to his expertise in the areas of global education and cutting-edge fashion, Dr. Hammonds has appeared on several syndicated television shows on networks such as Bravo, Lifetime, TLC, and ABC. In addition, he has consulted on private-label ready-to-wear brands and conducted 100+ style seminars all over the world. He has also served as a contributing Fashion Editor for multiple publications, and publishes a yearly fashion edition for Hers Magazine. Under Hammonds’ leadership, the magazine scored collaborations with InStyle which featured several high-profile figures in the fashion industry including: artistic directors Nicolas Ghesquière from Louis Vuitton and Claire Wright Keller from Givenchy, acclaimed womenswear designer, Christian Siriano, and world-renown makeup artist, Daniel Martin.

Outside of writing and editing for high-fashion magazines and lifestyle publications, Dr. Hammonds is the author of 4 books on fashion and philanthropy:

Currently, Dr. Hammonds sits on the board of the St. Lucia Fashion Council where he serves as a global marketing consultant to the island of St. Lucia.

He is also a visiting professor for several universities. In addition to global consulting, working as a contributing writer to multiple publications, authoring books, and working in Higher Education.

Dr. Hammonds is currently a proud resident of Atlanta, GA.

For over 20 years Cece Feinberg has been at the forefront of fashion PR. Bringing together a unique mix of art, fashion, and luxury clients. Continuously delivering prestige value that defines and propels brands into that elusive and exclusive luxury market.

About Cece Feinberg
Cece Feinberg began her career in the PR and Marketing Department at Vogue magazine where she worked on the publication’s sponsored events such as the CFDA Awards, the Vogue AIDS Benefit, and the Irving Penn Retrospective. Feinberg started her eponymous agency in 2002 and over the years Feinberg’s client roster has included an exciting list of well-known brands including Wet Seal, Arden B., Bijoux Terner, Daryl K., Tracey Ross, Vitamin A, Jantzen, Perry Ellis, Gen Art, ModCloth, Joanna Mastroianni, Costume National, and Ed Hardy Fragrances to name just a few.

Her agency has also worked with a myriad of brands from around the world including Brazilian brands Iodice, Sobral, Hope Lingerie, and Santa Lolla Footwear; Colombian brands Aqua Bendita and Mercedes Salazar; Australian brands Moov Boots, Hussy and Madame Marie; and French brands Shams denim and Messika fine jewelry.

Recently she has been tapped by the organizers of Bogota Fashion Week and ProColombia as a guest speaker who can advise young and established brands on what they need to know to enter the U.S. market.

She has developed blogs for her own company as well as for her clients and utilizes a variety of digital marketing strategies to grow brand recognition, web presence, and product sales for each depending on the goals of each brand.

Style Out Of The City founder Elysze Held, is an inspiring and well known stylist, closet editor, Fashion Event Emcee, Trunk Show extraordinaire, image refresher, and STYLE discussion host. For over 30 years she has dressed everyone from ceo’s, supermodels, famous celebrities and socialites with her deeply personal and vibrantly versatile approach to building a wardrobe.

About Elysze Held
In South Florida, the name Elysze Held is synonymous with style-Elysze has been heralded as ‘Miami's own fashion expert'.

Elysze is the Senior Contributing Fashion Editor of the Miami Herald's Luxury Magazine, INDULGE (Producing and Styling the covers and inside features) Elysze's column in, Eye on Style, through the eyes of a stylist have provided valuable insight and research on the pulse of Miami Fashion.

An industry veteran, Elysze been featured in the majority of South Florida publications: Miami Modern Luxury Magazine's as Miami's 2015 Trendsetter - "The Doyenne"; Brickell Magazine "Haute Hero"; Aventura Magazine "Power Player"; Ocean Drive Magazine "Shop Savvy"; Miami Herald; Palm Beach Woman; and World Red Eye. She has provided on-air fashion commentary for CBS 4 for the the Oscar and Emmy Awards for the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Award season; been interviewed countless times for the Miami Herald, WSVN 7 Style Files and Deco Drive; is featured on CBS 4's Women to Watch as a Style Icon in South Florida; was chosen by Conrad Hotels International as one of the (4) ‘Style Stars' of Miami; was recently tapped by the Ritz Carlton Hotels as their "Couture Concierge" consultant . Elysze is also featured in the documentary film on Style/Fashion icon Iris Apfel, shot in Palm Beach and New York by acclaimed documentary filmmaker, the late Albert Maysles(of Grey Gardens fame) and also credited in the film. Elysze has also styled editorial, commercial and fashion features. Ms. Held is the Founder and President of the Miami fashion/image consulting firm, Style Out of the City, and counts among her personal clients CEO's, celebrities, socialites and fashionistas, and soccer moms!!

A veteran of the fashion industry, Elysze begin in San Francisco: I. Magnin, and Wilkes Bashford, both iconic establishments in the field of luxury, and has been in every part of the fashion industry as a stylist, producer, fashion director and fashion editor. Elysze is the former fashion and visual director of Florida landmarks Lillie Rubin Stores and Burdines.

As the stylist and image consultant for WSVN 7's Deco Drive anchors Elysze has guided the stars of this long running news entertainment show from a whimsical ‘Sobe' look to a chic uptown style, working with high end international, national and especially local designers and stores. Elysze maintains dual residents in Key Biscayne and New York, and has been behind the scenes at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week as both a stylist and a producer.. is a South Florida favorite. Elysze is on the Board of Directors at DASH School (Design & Architecture High School) as well as the newly developed Fashion Department of Miami Dade College.

Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez worked together to develop a vegan leather made with nopal, a cactus. Its trade name is Desserto®. With an interest in reducing the environmental impact of traditional leather, they developed a product with equal performance and aesthetics, but also with greater sustainability.

About Desserto®
ADRIANO DI MARTI SA DE CV is a company founded in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, by Lic. Adrián López Arriaga López Velarde from Aguascalientes, Ags. and Lic. Marte Arturo Cázarez Duarte, originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, who met in Taipei, Taiwan in 2011 when Adrián was pursuing his higher studies at Tamkang University Lanyang Campus his degree in Politics and Global Economy and Marte the Mandarin Chinese language in Fu-Jen University who later, after one year, returned to the city of Guadalajara to study at the Instituto de Estudios Superiores Tecnológico de Monterrey for a degree in International Business. They both went through a year of cultural exchange through the Rotary Club in Taiwan before meeting in different years. Adrián from 2008 to 2009 in Nantou, Shuei-li and Marte province from 2009 to 2010 in the capital city. They were both born on the same day, month and year.

At the end of his studies, Adrián worked in the furniture industry in Taiwan for three years and Marte in the fashion industry in Mexico for 3 years. Adrián decided to return to Mexico seeking to return to his roots, where he found the opportunity to serve for a Taiwanese group in the Automotive Industry in Zapopan, Jalisco as an interpreter of Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish while Marte was still working in the fashion industry in Guadalajara . Both, living practically in the same city, coexisted again and that was where the brainstorming began that today is crystallized in the founding of ADRIANO DI MARTI SA DE CV and in the successful development of the first vegan leather made in México (DESSERTO) which is highly sustainable, made from cactus and whose quality allows it to be an attractive alternative for industries such as leather goods, footwear, automotive and aeronautics.

The idea of creating a highly sustainable material but at the same time complying with the standards demanded by these industries was born after corroborating, based on their previous work experience, the urgent need to offer a material whose environmental footprint was less than that which today They have the different inputs of materials such as animal leather and synthetic skins. During the brainstorming, it was necessary to look for a raw material of organic origin which was viable to supply the great demands demanded by these industries, which did not require a great use of water or energy to obtain it and whose cultivation was abundant, free. of pesticides and little care, for this reason it was decided to use the nopal, which meets all the characteristics that were sought and that as if that were not enough is a national symbol of Mexico and a plant whose presence extends throughout the world.

They were two years of intense research and development and with our own resources to successfully integrate, without compromising the aesthetic, physical, technical and mechanical characteristics of the material, the synthetic and organic chemical matter in a harmonious way that achieved a high quality material. sustainable which today we know as Desserto.

Madison Schill from Livescale TV -- the equivalent of QVC for the TikTok Generation - Live Shopping from the comfort of your mobile, laptop, tablet.

About Livescale TV
Founded in 2016 by long-time friends and partners Virgile Ollivier and Laurent Boutet, Livescale sought to harness the power of live streaming to create a solution that empowered creators to connect in real time, across media platforms. From there, we identified a need for stronger, more engaging e-commerce tactics, combining a brand’s in-store persona with the engaging, viral moments consumers expect each day on their devices. From there came the Livescale you see today: a Live Shopping solution that empowers brands to engage, convert, and attract customers, through our fully-customized and brand-owned Live Shopping solution.

Presented By:
Anouk Wipprecht, FashionTech Designer, Engineer, Roboticist, Technologist, Innovator, Educator
Gonçalo Cruz, PlatformE Co-Founder, CEO
Daria Shapovalova, DressX Co-Founder, CEO
Natalia Modenova, DressX Co-Founder, COO

Moderated By:
Beth Sobol, Founder, Global Fashion Business Alliance
Andrew Burnstine, Associate Professor, Marketing, Lynn University

2020 was a year of innovation, creativity and disruption. The traditional Fashion Show has been altered. Whether it's for the short, medium or long term basis no one knows. Lynn University, the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and the Global Fashion Business Alliance (GFBA) join forces to co-produce and co-promote a unique and special 90 min event showcasing technology, entrepreneurs and innovators behind Digital Fashion Shows.

About Anouk Wipprecht
Anouk Wipprecht is a Dutch FashionTech Designer, Engineer, and Innovator living in Miami. She is working in the field of wearable robotics with a focus on behavioral aspects of the interactions of body-based electronic design. She wants her garments to facilitate and augment the interactions we have with ourselves and our surroundings. Her Spider Dress is a perfect example of this aesthetic, where sensors and moveable arms on the dress help to create a more defined boundary of personal space while employing a fierce style. Partnering up with companies such as Intel, AutoDesk, Google, Arduino, Microsoft, Samsung, Adobe, Adidas, Cirque Du Soleil, Audi, Disney, Swarovski, and 3D printing company Shapeways she researches how our future would look as we continue to embed technology into what we wear, and more importantly – how this will change our perspective on how we will interface with technology.

anoukwipprecht.nl

About Gonçalo Cruz
Gonçalo Cruz is an Industrial Engineer. Business Designer. Avid Entrepreneur. He co-founded PlatformE - the fashion industry platform for On-Demand Manufacturing - that powers MTO and mass digital experiences for some of the biggest fashion houses at LVMH, Kering, and independent groups. Gonçalo is passionate about Tech (namely for web, commerce, retail) and Virtual (3D, AR, VR) and sits on the Advisory Board of MyDidimo and MOXY. He is interested primarily in learning with people and helping them achieve what was previously unachievable and is always looking for deep literature, beautiful songs, and breathtaking landscapes.

platforme.com

About Daria Shapovalova
Prior to DressX, Daria established Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days and More Dash. Called ‘Kiev Fashion’s Queen Bee’ by Vogue UK, Daria is famous for putting Ukraine on the world’s fashion map. Daria is featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe and BOF 500 Most Influential People lists.

Under Daria’s creative guidance, Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days quickly became the largest fashion event in the region. Shapovalova later crossed her fashion career into the education and technology industries. She established Kiev Fashion Institute and a Fashion Tech Summit. There, she spearheaded discussions focused on bridging fashion with technology. As the next spin in her career, Daria moved to San Francisco, got an MBA, and undertook her internship at Walmart.

dressx.com

About Natalia Modenova
Natalia has more than 10 years of experience in the fashion industry, her main activities include founding a showroom More Dash in Paris and international conference Fashion Tech Summit alongside her business partner Daria Shapovalova. Natalia was a curator of the Fashion Business course at Kiev Fashion Institute, an expert at Google Woman Digital Academy.

After 4 seasons as press-attaché at Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, Natalia became it’s COO. Later she co-founded More Dash showroom in Paris, initiating and curating showcases for promotion and sales of the designers' collections internationally. In 2019 More Dash expanded to the US with its Fashion Experience Pop-Up Stores in Los Angeles. In 2020 Natalia (along with her co-founder) launched their first tech company DressX.

dressx.com

About Beth Sobol
Beth Sobol is the founder of the Global Fashion Business Alliance, an out growth of the Fashion Business Association of America. The GFBA is a fashion business development organization for designers, brands, retailers and entrepreneurs around the world. She is also the creator of the original Miami Fashion Week, one of the largest fashion events in the USA and developed the platform that gave thousands of international designers their initial launch into the American market. MiaFW began in 1999 and after nearly 20 years she sold the brand to European investors. Beth now focuses on the development of educational programming for fashion entrepreneurs, is a sought-after speaker at international fashion events and universities, and is a mentor to young brands vying to scale their business and enter the American market.

About Andrew Burnstine
Dr. Andrew Burnstine is an experienced educator, business executive, On-Air fashion and retail commentator and reporter, and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Dr. Burnstine is skilled in nonprofit, retail and fashion management, and is an education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Education from New York University.

Presented By:
Beth Sobol, Founder, Global Fashion Business Alliance
Jane Heflin, Global Bridal Industry Consultant
Paulette Cleghorn, CMO, Designer & Creative Director Yumi Katsura Couture & Ashdon Brands

The Fashion Industry has seen a massive disruption in the last 18 months -- given the confluence of climate change, sustainability momentum, consumer consciousness, the alleged mall / retail apocalypse, the rise of the direct to consumer brands and a global pandemic. Creativity, pizzaz and innovation have given way to a reboot and a rethink about supply chains, operational efficiency, and inventory and cash management. If 2020 was the year of interruptions and survival, then 2021 is the beginning of the decade of resilience.

It's time to do things differently.

The Global Fashion Business Alliance (GFBA), World Bride Magazine (WBM) and Jane Heflin a Bridal Consultant, whose founders have deep experience in the Fashion Industry, with over 60+ years combine, have joined forces to collaborate on a comprehensive program geared to bridal designers and entrepreneurs who are ready to break out, get unstuck and grow. Join us on Wed. May 12th to learn more.

About Beth Sobol
Beth Sobol is the founder of the Global Fashion Business Alliance, an out growth of the Fashion Business Association of America. The GFBA is a fashion business development organization for designers, brands, retailers and entrepreneurs around the world. She is also the creator of the original Miami Fashion Week, one of the largest fashion events in the USA and developed the platform that gave thousands of international designers their initial launch into the American market. MiaFW began in 1999 and after nearly 20 years she sold the brand to European investors. Beth now focuses on the development of educational programming for fashion entrepreneurs, is a sought-after speaker at international fashion events and universities, and is a mentor to young brands vying to scale their business and enter the American market.

About Jane Heflin
Jane Heflin, International Bridal Consultant - Jane Heflin is a veteran in the bridal industry. Her work spans from designing her own children's wear line for Neiman Marcus and Bridal for Jasmine Enterprises, to product management, material procurement, marketing, sales, and multi-unit bridal retail management. In recent years, Jane has focused on B-to-B bridal trade shows. During her tenure as Director of The Knot Couture Show in New York City, and now as the Director of the National Bridal Market Chicago, Ms. Heflin helped grow both of these shows to be the bridal industry's leading trade shows in the North American market. Jane searches for domestic designers and regularly travels abroad in search of the best in cutting edge creativity to attend the show.

Paulette Cleghorn
Paulette Cleghorn serves in the capacity of creative director at Ashdon Brands housing such high profile bridal and special occasion labels such as Victor Harper, Cristiano Lucci, Simone Carvalli, Ashley & Justin, Zoey Grey and Disney's Royal Ball. She also serves as head designer and creative director at Italian house Cristiano Lucci and for Japan's Yumi Katsura Couture since 2010 and previously as Head of Strategic Alliances and North American expansion to the legendary designer since 2007. Katsura, is one of Japan's and the world's most prolific design houses, whose wedding dresses and couture creations are considered modern masterpieces. Katsura has showcased the most expensive wedding dress sold to date, valued at one billion Japanese yen (US $8.5 million).

Alejandra (Alex) Baca-Rodriguez is a marketing strategist and Pinterest expert. She reaches over 18 Million viewers with her own Pinterest profile and uses her knowledge to help wedding pros reach millions with their audiences, grow their business, and book clients on autopilot.

About Alejandra (Alex) Baca-Rodriguez
Alejandra (Alex) Baca-Rodriguez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning wedding blog, Belle The Magazine. Belle The Magazine focuses on glamorous wedding inspirational content and bridal fashion. She has helped hundreds of brides find their dream wedding dress and hopes to streamline the process with her new start up Find My Dress.

She's also a marketing strategist, and Pinterest expert. She reaches over 18 Million viewers with her own Pinterest profile and uses her knowledge to help wedding pros reach millions with their audiences, grow their business, and book clients on autopilot.

Presented By:
Beth Sobol, Founder, Global Fashion Business Alliance
Ron Thurston, Retail Expert

Join us for a 60 min event to learn more about GFBA's 8 Week Virtual Fashion and Retail Business Management Program and hear directly from Beth Sobol, creator of Miami Fashion Week.

About Beth Sobol
Beth Sobol is the founder of the Global Fashion Business Alliance, an out growth of the Fashion Business Association of America. The GFBA is a fashion business development organization for designers, brands, retailers and entrepreneurs around the world. She is also the creator of the original Miami Fashion Week, one of the largest fashion events in the USA and developed the platform that gave thousands of international designers their initial launch into the American market. MiaFW began in 1999 and after nearly 20 years she sold the brand to European investors. Beth now focuses on the development of educational programming for fashion entrepreneurs, is a sought-after speaker at international fashion events and universities, and is a mentor to young brands vying to scale their business and enter the American market.

About Ron Thurston
Ron Thurston is an experienced Vice President of Stores, Board Member, and Author with a demonstrated history of delivering exceptional results and building culture. Ron is skilled in trend analysis, retail, client development, and growing store fleet count.

You know who loves retail? Ron Thurston does, and he's proud of it. Ron shares his retail experience leading teams, launching brands and observing the changes of consumer behavior.

From a part-time sales associate to a Vice President of Stores, Ron has put in the hard work that a retail career requires. He wrote Retail Pride: The Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career to share what he learned along the way.

In 2021, Ron was named one of the world's Top 100 most influential people in retail and is a featured keynote speaker, podcast guest, and in-demand industry expert.

About Ron Thurston
Ron Thurston loves retail. And he's proud of it. Ron has led the retail teams for some of America's most prominent brands, inspired thousands of store employees, and traveled relentlessly across the country to sit and listen to what they have to say.

From a part-time sales associate to a vice president of stores, Ron has put in the hard work that a retail career requires and wrote this book to share what he learned along the way.

Presented By: Ron Thurston, Azka Agha, Darnisha Thomas, Jennifer Chi

How are the next generation of designers being influenced? Join the GFBA for an open discussion with recent fashion design graduates from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. With special guest retail expert Ron Thurston.

About Ron Thurston
Ron Thurston loves retail. And he's proud of it. Ron has led the retail teams for some of America's most prominent brands, inspired thousands of store employees, and traveled relentlessly across the country to sit and listen to what they have to say.

From a part-time sales associate to a vice president of stores, Ron has put in the hard work that a retail career requires and wrote this book to share what he learned along the way.

About Azka Agha
Azka is originally from Pakistan and discovered her love of fashion while perusing local bazaars with her mother searching for fabrics. Azka feels that fashion is not just an expression of personal style, but a language that conveys one’s innermost thoughts, feelings, and personality to those around us….. which is why her designs are heavily inspired by personal experiences and provoke emotion. Her designs draw from her South Asian culture with a playful Western twist. Azka recently graduated from FIT with a Bachelor of Fines Arts in Fashion Design, specializing in Sportswear and minoring in Art History.

About Darnisha Thomas
Darnisha is a Haitian-American fashion designer and visual artist. Fashion design has always been an inventive pursuit of artistic expression for her, and she has used it to create a sense of versatility, self-awareness, and experimentation. She draws inspiration from feminine and masculine silhouettes while fusing a love for fine arts, music, and vivid hues. Darnisha graduated from FIT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design.

About Jennifer Chi
Jennifer a Taiwanese-American NYC-based designer. She is currently working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and she has previously worked at Altuzarra, Tanya Taylor and Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing. Jennifer is interested in pursuing a career in both the fashion and costume industries, and she is also passionate about ethical and sustainable practices within the fashion industry and in her own life. Jennifer graduated from FIT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design, with a specialization in knitwear.