Posts

3 Tips for the Emerging Fashion Designer

/in /by

Yet another week of fashion extravaganza stormed through our city, and many emerging fashion designers have had the opportunity to mingle, network or even launch their collections.

I am a big follower of everything that moves in the fashion industry: bloggers, stylists, designers, fashionistas and pretty much anyone that cares and is involved in the local fashion scene. I lived every moment of the fashion week by digesting Twitter feeds , Instagram pictures and Facebook posts.

And here is tip #1: If you are an aspiring or emerging fashion designer – you must stay connected to your local fashion influencers! Twitter is a good place to “stalk” them and stay up-to-date with latest news and events in the fashion industry. Find bloggers, stylists, fashion publications and organizations that will surely overload you with the latest fashion news.

Indeed, during fashion week it can be a little overwhelming with all the media hype around the big established designers and the runway shows. But learn to listen and filter to what is of real value to you
FashionWeek

Tip #2: Attend smaller events where you can get valuable networking done.

Best part of fashion week is the high concentration of fashion influencers, but you will have to find the appropriate event to network with them. One of these opportunities was the speed-networking event organized by Fashion Group international and Fashion Takes Action. This event is typically sold-out, and you can meet with potential clients, HR recruiting firms specializing in fashion, bloggers, boutique owners and mentors. I recommend these types of events to anyone starting up in any kind of industry, and make sure you bring tons of business cards!
speed_networking

Tip #3: Enroll in industry specific organizations before the fashion week.

You are very lucky to be able to start a fashion business in a city like Toronto. Bigger metropolitan cities typically have fashion hubs that come with non-for-profit organizations, incubators, and an abundance of mentors. Being part of these will give you access to latest news, reduced ticket prices to fashion events and more networking opportunities.
tfi-logo
Here is a short list of organizations that as an aspiring or emerging fashion designer in Toronto you should seriously consider:

Toronto Fashion Incubator – an innovative and highly respected non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and nurturing small business entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.

Fashion Group International – global non-profit organization of executives, designers and entrepreneurs in more than 30 chapters around the world. Toronto is their only Canadian chapter.

Fashion Takes Action – Canada’s premier non-profit organization that focuses on sustainability in the fashion industry.

Emerging Fashion Designers Launched at the Oscars

/in /by

The Academy Awards are known for launching emerging fashion designers. A relatively unknown designer is introduced to millions of people at one single event. Some of the world’s most recognized starlets will be photographed wearing an independent label and we wonder who is going to be the next Elie Saab?
The Beirut-born emerging fashion designer Elie Saab, became a household name when Halle Berry walked out on the Oscar’s red-carpet in the now world-famous maroon dress, in 2002. It is estimated that Saab received the equivalent of  $25 million worth of publicity. She soon after joined the ranks of Chanel and Dior (read full article from Business Mirror here).


But what if you are an accessories designer? Even better! You have the opportunity to give a taste of your products to tens of A-listers in their “freebie” gifts. And that is exactly what Ms. Lauren Merkin a handbag designer from New York did. She spent more than $30,000 to have her handbags showcased in the “freebies” lounge at the Independent Spirit Awards the day before the Oscars. She also created a special red-carpet collection, hoping that some starlets will pick her handbags for the actual Awards ceremony. This is a high price to pay for a small business owner however the exposure is definitely worth it. Now Ms. Merkin’s handbags are sold internationally and have been favored by comedian Sarah Silverman, “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan and Jessica Simpson.

A story that recently drew my attention came from emerging Canadian jewelry designer Tiffany Haziza of Buddha & the Raven Studios. In 2011 she had the opportunity of having one of her products (a pearl and Swarovski crystals necklace) offered in the gift bags at the Academy Awards in 2011. Now she is running a successful business, receives custom orders from TV stars and sales internationally.


Indeed, the Academy Awards and other red carpet events are the catalyst that many emerging designers need to take their businesses further. Of course, you need a bit of good luck and a couple of connections to get you in, so start networking early. Build strong relationships with publicists and celebrity stylists and get to know the stars and what they are likely to wear at a red carpet event. Also, make sure you budget accordingly, you need to create a special collection just for that event and consider that a marketing expense.

Halle Berry at the Academy Awards, 2002.

Halle Berry at the Academy Awards, 2002.

Lauren Merkin Clutch emerging designer

Lauren Merkin Clutch

Tiffany from Buddha & The Raven Studio, emerging designer

Tiffany from Buddha & The Raven Studio

 

 

Custom made clothing: the comeback!

/in /by

Creating an Image

Nina Ricci. Valentino. Fendi. Lanvin; the list goes on. These fashion gods and goddesses are among the many designers creating custom-made outfits destined to be worn by some of the hottest names in Hollywood. Not only are these designers responsible for making celebrities turn heads as they enter a room; they are part of a team responsible for creating an image that reflects the personality and brand of each actor, singer or eccentric to walk the red carpet. Take, for example, the white Givenchy number sported by Rooney Mara at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in L.A. It was the perfect blend of edge and elegance, a sincere reflection of the image portrayed by the Girl in the Dragon Tattoo. Need another example? Bond, James Bond. Made famous by his witty retorts, womanizing escapades and specific choice in cocktail (vodka martini, shaken not stirred), he is best known for the style with which he successfully executed top secret mission; and by style, I mean suit. Granted, Bond wasn’t so much styled by the stars as he was clothed in suits that were tailored to perfection, but in this case, as in so many cases, the clothes really did make the man (dare I say legend?).

The history of tailoring as an art form

The art of tailoring, which has its roots in the 12-14th centuries, became exceptionally popular during the Renaissance as clothing started moving away from conservative trends sweeping the old empires and towards designs that accentuated and brought to life the human body. Curves and skin were suddenly in! Not too much of course, but enough to get the creative juices of designers and tailors flowing as floods of orders for custom made apparel came in from the crème de la crème of European society.

 During this time, tailored apparel was an expression of power, wealth and influence for men and women lucky enough to afford it. Moving into the twentieth century, tailored clothing became less a luxury for the nobility and more a way for women, in particular, to express themselves as they made the move from traditional wear to garments that allowed for simultaneous functionality and femininity.

Going, going… still here?

It seems to me that somewhere along the line, tailoring fell out of fashion. Perhaps wartime experiences and depression simply made indulging in custom-made clothing unaffordable for the average buyer. Perhaps woman, the provocateurs of fashion around the world, became less inclined to invest in custom made garments, preferring to mix existing pieces to create a sort of “self-made” look similar to that trending around the streets of Toronto as I type. As I see it, outside of particularly trendy (or wealthy) communities, tailored clothing is quickly falling through the fashion cracks. For starters, the definition of tailoring has moved from meaning custom-made to clothes that fit well without necessarily being tailored to fit the contour of a particular individual. Gone are the days of visiting ones tailor in order to be fitted for a new jacket; today, “tailored” suits, jackets and pants are widely available at popular department stores and independent boutiques. Perhaps there is a link between the decline of custom-made clothing and globalization as imports allow for the selection of material to increase tenfold. Whatever the reason, custom made clothing is due for a comeback, don’t you agree?

Putting customization back on the table

At Luevo, we believe that creativity is the essence of fashion and we are big supporters of customization tailoring. Some of the selected designers on Luevo will be able to offer clothing that are literally made to fit your body. There’s only one you, so make it count and dress it up! Get in touch with your style and check out Luevo soon for the latest line of customizable products.