“Fear Regret, Not Failure!”

Yesterday we kicked off our Fashion Business Workshops series at General Assembly with the Funding & Resourcing #FGIDCWorkshop. Led by Jack Bienko (@Bienko, www.sba.gov)  of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the sessions panelists included Mel Peller (@SCOREMentors, www.score.org), Heidi Rauch (@belabumbum, wwww.belabumbum.com), Dominique Broadway (@MsFinanceCoach, www.dominiquebroadway.com), and Amy Millman (@amillman, www.sb.co).

With  key insights such as:

“Know how your product is REALLY different and know how to tell a story with it” {Heidi}

“Fear regret, not failure!” {Dominique}

“Be a part of a community that knows how to ‘talk’ your business.” {Amy}

“Know your WHY and stick to it…. I was successful because it was just ME being ME.” {Dominique}

Attendees got a chance to heargv  about all stages of funding and learn tricks of the trade. Additionally, Jack provided a “cheat sheet” for all participants which you can view here.

We are incredibly grateful to Jack and all the speakers for sharing their knowledge. See below for photos from the workshop courtesy of Delores Holloway of A Little Bit of Whimsy Photography

FGIDC Hosts New Members Dinner @ TheLoftAt600F

On Monday, April 20, 2015, The Fashion Group International ® DC (FGIDC) hosted a private dinner party at the beautiful The Loft at 600F space in Downtown DC. The dinner brought together some of DC’s tastemakers interested in joining our organization and was filled with laughs, networking, and most importantly a history about FGIDC and our mission. Dinner was prepared and served by Chef Nate Hopkins, was hosted by Dinner Curated, and paired with wine from Skinny Girl Cocktails and red velvet cake from District Desserts.

See gallery below for photos from the #FGIDCNewMembers dinner (photos by The Written Runway).

 

 

 

Hijacking the Runway!

THANK YOU everyone for joining us for the Hijacking the Runway book signing last night at Mazza Gallerie.
Teri Agins and Robin Givhan were a riot!  For those of you who were not able to get the book, they are currently available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1w37GTT. I’m curious about the Kanye West/Ralph Rucci story that was likened to the “plunging neckline detail of the entire book” by Teri.

Just as we were celebrating and enjoying all of the scoop, we learned of the passing of a true fashion icon, Oscar de la Renta.

 His death came as a shock to us all and we join together in mourning the loss of such a visionary and champion for the industry we love so much. Robin Givhan posted a heartfelt story on Oscar today for The Washington Post. http://wapo.st/ZE4wI1. May he rest in peace.

Who Says There Is No Style In The Nation’s Capital?

FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL® OF GREATER WASHINGTON, DC CELEBRATED EMERGING TALENT INAUGURAL RISING STAR AWARDS HONORS NONE UP AND COMING STYLE STARS.

It is often said that fashion and Washington, DC do not belong in the same sentence. My, how the times have changed! On Tuesday, March 18th, the Fashion Group International of Greater Washington, DC Region hosted its inaugural Rising Star awards event honoring Washington, DC’s emerging talent at Fabio Trabocchi’s, Casa Luca. More than 120 of Washington’s most fashionable people showed up to celebrate the honorees and to toast the industry at the awards reception, emceed by NBC4 Anchor Eun Yang. Rising Stars were honored in the categories of Women’s Ready-to-Wear, Men’s Ready-to-Wear, Fine Jewelry and Accessories, Beauty Entrepreneur, Fashion Photography, Home and Interior Design, Media, and Fashion Stylist.

The Rising Star Awards in DC were presented by industry leaders, DJ Heather Femia and Rising Star winner Violetta Markelou rocked the well-heeled crowd while they enjoyed a tasting of Fabio Trabocchi’s best Italian cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Rising Stars 2014 Winners

Accessories
Camille Gabriele,  Camille Gabriele Designs
Beauty
JoElle Lee, JoElle Skin Care
Interior Design
William McGovern, McGovern Design Studio
Jewelry
Sophie Blake, Sophie Blake NY
New Media
All Things Fashion DC
Menswear
Pranov Vora & Philip Soriano, Hugh & Crye
Photography
Violetta Markelou, VM Photography
Stylist
Ariella Toloza, Ariella Faith
Womenswear
Tashia Senn, Tashia Senn Design

Rising Stars Press
Washington Post
REVAMP
All Things Fashion DC
Brightest Young Things
Pamela’s Punch
K Street Magazine
What Do I Wear
Divine Style DC
Sip With Socialites

Click HERE for photos from the event

Meet The Press

Our March “Meet the Press” event was a huge success! We had over 100 fashionable guests join us at one of Sotheby’s hottest property’s in Northwest DC. FGIDC members and enthusiasts learned about pitching to the modern day media. Our panel of media mavens included editors from Capitol File Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine, Refinery 29, Brightest Young Things and DC Modern Luxury. Each panelist let us in on industry secrets including: how to tailor a pitch and the importance of simplicity, patience and bravery. Attendees also received reassurance that the media needs our partnership as consumers, shop owners and readers. As for the future of fashion in the media, the search for quality bloggers continues in addition to a desire for a beautiful online print magazines.

After the panel discussion, guests enjoyed house tours, light bites and cocktails from Absolut Elyx. It was a fun evening filled with many new faces and familiar friends. View photos REVAMP FGI DC.