During World MasterCard Fashion Week we worked with Motion + Still and FGI member Lee Romberg to develop a promotional video for the Toronto chapter. What do you think? Let us know at info [at] fgitoronto.org, tweet us @fgitoronto or leave a message on our Facebook page!
FGI Toronto and Porter Airlines are pleased to present a special appearance from Gilt.com co-founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson on Tuesday, June 18. Alexandra, a member of the FGI New York board of directors, is also co-author of the New York Times bestseller By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop. This is their first Canadian appearance since the book was released and Gilt.com began shipping to Canada.
A private media event will be hosted by Miracle 10 from 11am – 1pm. Members and non-members can meet Alexandra and get an autographed copy of the book at an evening reception on Vertical restaurant’s gorgeous outdoor patio.
Tickets are available at fgigilt.eventbrite.ca.
By Anthea Tsoukalas
FGI is renowned for connecting professionals across the industry and this season’s networking event at World MasterCard Fashion Week proved no exception! On the last day of fashion week 60+ guests gathered in tents with business cards and an infectious amount of enthusiasm. This sold out event was co-hosted by Fashion Takes Action. I thought I was there to shoot photos and write about the event until I was whisked into the networking as well!
The concept of speed networking is similar to speed dating. Two groups rotate amongst each other every two minutes in order to maximize the number of people you can talk to in an hour. And talk you will!
These networking events always bring out a great crowd, so surely there will be another one soon. In the meantime, here are some networking tips to prepare you:
- If you had to describe yourself in one minute or less, how would you do it? Also known as the elevator pitch, this short summary is crucial in the fast paced fashion and business worlds.
- If you’re a designer, are you prepared to share your design concept, describe your client? If you’re a retailer, who is your customer? What are your goals for your business?
- How are you different from your competition? Be able to summarize your skills and talents in a short and informative way.
- I’m still a believer in the traditional business card. There is nothing more effective than a business card with your logo, work details and website on it. And don’t forget to include your social media handles. Make sure to bring a stack to events like these because if you run out, people will be disappointed (and you will look unprepared).
In the end, I returned home with close to 30 business cards and met some fantastic and inspiring individuals! I’ve since connected with three of the people I made connections with and will be working on various projects with them. Proof of FGI at work once again!
Check out more photos from the event on our Facebook page.
This month we are exploring vintage fashion’s connection to the trends on the runway. We’ve tapped Cherie Federau of Shrimpton Couture who will share her expertise in vintage fashion on how designers and consumers can reference vintage to stay current.
Tuesday, April 23
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Camera / Stephen Bulger Gallery
1026 Queen Street West
Join us for champagne (provided by DDB Chic) and networking before a fashion trend presentation. We’ll wrap up with a vintage fashion Q&A. There is limited capacity at this event. Register online to avoid disappointment. Open to members, non-members and students.
By Diana Cina
Photo in progress
FGI board member and sponsor J R Bernstein is passionate about photography. It’s clear when he speaks about his work that it’s more than just a chosen career. Having picked up a camera as a little boy, at his father’s encouragement, Bernstein grew up taking photos and viewing the world from behind a lens.
Along with a love of fashion and the allure of working with various creative teams, his photographs have led him to a career in fashion photography and the formation of his company J R BERNSTEIN MEDIA INC. His first fashion editorial was with an aspiring model. “I shot my friend’s sister in their backyard. Neither one of us had any experience in the genre, but it was a great way to test the waters. And from then on, I was hooked!” Since that first leap into the fashion world, Bernstein has worked with major publications on editorials plus look-books and campaigns for top brands.
“It’s a huge highlight to work with other creative types,” he says. A self-confessed perfectionist and entrepreneur, he enjoys collaborating on ideas with his clients and delivering the best possible outcome. “Photography is an art, but it’s also a business – a relationship business,” he says, which is why he’s particularly attentive to the needs of his clients. “For that reason, it made a lot of sense to join FGI Toronto. It’s a fantastic networking tool for those in the fashion industry.“
His advice is to go to as many FGI events as you can. “If you can leave an event saying you’ve met someone and learned something, it’s hard to put a price on that.”
Aside from working with clients and recently shooting the head shots for FGI Toronto’s board of directors, Bernstein is also working with Fujifilm Cameras, testing out their latest professional equipment and offering feedback. In this way, he is directly impacting the future of photography.
For more on what makes Bernstein tick, check him out under our board profiles.
FGI Toronto co-hosts two events at next week’s Toronto fashion week. First up is a fashion industry panel presented by our annual sponsor DHL Express Canada and moderated by FGI Toronto’s regional director, Leesa Butler, on Tuesday, March 19 from 1PM to 2:30PM.
A panel of designers and industry professionals will discuss the business and financial realities of running a fashion company. There is no charge to attend, simply RSVP to verena.huetteneder@dhl.com by March 18th.
Friday, March 22 sees the return of our Speed Networking event with Fashion Takes Action. Prepare to talk fast, as you’ll have just a few minutes with each person before the bell rings and you’re on to the next! Bring business cards and a smile. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Register online now.
As winter winds down this month, so does our 2013 membership renewal campaign. In order to guarantee your place in this year’s global directory, renew your membership by March 31st. Renewing is easy. FGI’s New York headquarters has sent each member instructions to renew online. Alternatively, you can update your information and provide payment using our chapter’s renewal form.
Click here to download the form and submit by March 31, 2013.
FGI Toronto members enjoy savings and special access to the industry:
- Save 30% over non-members on registration fees to FGI seminars in business, retail, marketing & trends
- Expand your network of industry peers and insiders
- Do business outside of Canada? Network with thousands of professionals listed in the global FGI directory that includes key U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
- Get access to free members-only events
- Enjoy exclusive invitations from FGI’s cultural and business partners
- Promote yourself or your company in our Member Spotlight
- NEW! Save 65% on international shipping through DHL Canada
Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about joining this illustrious group of professionals.
Last Tuesday FGI Toronto hosted a panel discussion at SAS Canada on “shoptimization” and shopper marketing’s latest innovations, trends and strategies. The panel was moderated by Alicia Androich (Marketing Magazine) and panelists included Keith Liu (Blast Radius), Adrian Capobianco (Cundari), Katherine Pudy (Ogilvy Action) and Shawn Smith (SAS Canada). The panel discussed current digital trends, marketing campaigns, what makes them successful and how we can apply them.
Here are important take-aways from the discussion:
- Understand your target audience and figure out how to reach them
- Know your strengths in the market, keep your scope small and branch out gradually
- Keep your consumers engaged through multiple channels: website, blog, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Ensure staff are trained and knowledgeable both in store and online
- Focus on 5 key elements – people, process, technology, data and culture
The advice that struck me the most was “know your brand”. The most successful brands are creative, engage their users and find ways to differentiate themselves from the rest. You don’t need massive budgets to do that!
Click here to check out the event’s photos on our Facebook page.
Join FGI Toronto and Fashion Takes Action for a speed networking event inside the tents of World MasterCard Fashion Week. You must register either online or at the door to attend. Early bird tickets are available now! Don’t forget to bring business cards.
Friday, March 22
11am – 1pm
Click here to register now on our Eventbrite page.
Wikipedia defines shopper marketing as “understanding how one’s target consumers behave as shoppers, in different channels and formats, and leveraging this intelligence to the benefit of all stakeholders, defined as brands, consumers, retailers and shoppers.”
Join FGI Toronto, SAS Canada and a panel of industry experts on Tuesday, February 26th as we discuss “shoptimization” and shopper marketing’s latest innovations, trends and strategies.
Registration is now open for members ($40), non-members ($65) and students ($20). Members of Fashion Takes Action (FTA) enjoy the FGI member rate.
