Chilly weather brings cold hands and warm hearts. Check out this fun blog that shows you how to make your own gloves with studs! http://www.rachelthestylishwanderer.com/featured/fashion/what-a-stud/

SAN FRANCISCO FASHION WEEK-

The last few weeks have been a bit crazy, but fun! Lots of new and exciting things happening in the fashion industry in San Francisco.  This week is San Francisco Fashion Week. Below you will see a list of the events taking place. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

http://sanfranciscofashionweek2012.eventbrite.com/

A New Holiday, Fashion Night Out!

http://www.vogue.com/videos/fashions-night-out-2012/

Last night I attended Fashion Night Out in San Francisco.  This is the 4th Annual Fashion Night Out and my 2nd time participating in FNO. Last year, I was a co-host with Brad Carrick, owner of SOLZ  and  Attorney for Lord Bertram, for SFFAMA at 5 Claude Lane. This year I went with my Team, Vishal Kalia and Tiffany Walker, from Raf9, www.raf9.com along with my co-worker, Michelle, from FIDM.  We visited the new pop up shop, KENCHEN, in the Westfield Mall. We attended the VIP Fashion Night Out, where we met the photographer, Mark Janks and some other employees of the Westfield Mall. After visiting the Mall we headed over to 5 Claude Lane where SFFAMA had new and upcoming designers display their designs.  Some of my favorite were KENCHEN, www.kenchen.com, RawLegends-www.rawlegends.com, Solz-www.solzshoes.com, Good Boy Friday-www.goodboyfriday.com and Monika Rose Style and Selection, www.monikaroseselection.com.  Below I have added a few pictures from last night! Hope you enjoy and hope to see you next year on September 6th, FASHION NIGHT OUT!

                                                                   RAW LEGENDS

         
                                                                         KEN CHEN
                                                               

                                                             
                                                                  GOOD BOY FRIDAY

                                                                                 
                                               MONIKA ROSE STYLE & SELECTION

San Francisco International Fashion Film Festival, August 25th, 2012.

Great article, by Gregory Lemmons, Lord Bertram, Professional Law Corporation.
Thank you for the shout out!
http://lordbertram.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html

Last night's San Francisco International Fashion Film Festival was absolutely stunning.  I feel so honored to be a part of the San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Network. Everyone involved in the production did a fabulous job.  I feel very proud to say my friend, Nate Duncan, was the MC. Smartwater was one of the many sponsors and FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising was also a sponsor.  Lots of students volunteered their time to help with the production of SFIFFF. Overall the production was amazing.

Recently, I became a member of SFBA FN, San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Network.  I am thrilled to a  part of this amazing group.   The next big event we are planning for is the San Francisco International Fashion Film Festival on Saturday, August 25th.  Tickets are still available.  You can find out more about this amazing event at, http://after5media.com/   Hope to see you there!

Last night I attended the Perrier lounge event @ Hotel Diva in San Francisco with Michelle Balance.  Emily Detert a student at FIDM created the design for the Perrier Lounge.  It was great to see her work and enjoy an evening of networking.  The Perrier Lounge turned out fabulous,  thanks to Emily's creative eye and awesome vision.

Tonight I attended the SFFAMA Workshop at FIDM in San Francisco.

Dane Golden presented on how you can market your brand on youtube. He also spoke about how you can effectively manage your videos to help you promote your product.  To learn more, please check out Dane Golden's blog at hey.com

Andrea Ruiz was another speaker tonight. She presented on google + and the benefits of using google +. One of the most interesting things I learned is hangouts on google +.  You can have live chat with your friends and be able to actually see them through the web cam.  You can use this for conference calls or chatting with your family. To learn more, please check out http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/
 
The best part about tonight was that several of my friends attended the event. Some of them being,

Vishal Kalia, Founder of Raf9, http://www.raf9.com
Brad Carrick, Founder of SOLZ, http://www.solzshoes.com
Tiffany Walker, Shoe Designer, www.tiffytoes.com
Baba Afolabi, SURU Clothing Designer,  http://www.suruclothing.com

and lastly I was forutnate enough to meet and sit next to Gregory Lemmons, Entertainment and Fashion Law Attorney at http://www.lordbertram.com/.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting local designers, Steven Arevalo, Jackie Lopez adn Kathryn Guinto. Steven and Jackie design for Ceravelo, www.ceravelo.com and Kathryn designs for Eufia, www.eufia.com. Both of them design eco-friendly garments.  They try to find all of their fabric locally and they are creating all of the garments here in the Bay Area. I personally look forward to potentially seeing both of their designs in  some of the upcoming fashion shows here in the Bay Area.

A Big Networking Day,  August 5th, 2012


I first met up with Karen Song, founder of Stylematic App.  We discussed different branding options and headquarters that would potentially use Stylematic.  Currently, she is looking for a company that would like to partner with her. We also discussed how different body types need different styling solutions. There is not one way to style a woman. It all depends on your body type, taste and image.  You can't always follow the trend. You need to know what works for your body.  To find out more information about Stylematic, please visit http://stylematic.kickofflabs.com

After our meeting the two of us walked over to the 8th Annual Fashion on the Square Event, http://www.fashiononthesquare.com/,where we watched Joseph Domingo receive FOTS Designer of the year and watched stellar performances from Perception Dance Performance Troop and Dark Garden.  Joseph Domingo, http://josephdomingo.com/ ended the night with his beautiful gowns. After the event I hung out with the volunteers, Tiffany Walker and Nicole Turk and spoke to Joseph Domingo and Warren Difranco about their up coming event, San Francisco International Fashion Film Festival, http://www.sanfranciscointernationalfashionfilmfestival.com/  Please check out their website to purchase tickets to this fabulous event!

FIRST FRIDAY WITH SuRu PATIENCE

Last night I attended First Friday with SuRu in downtown Oakland.  My friends Alanna Rayford and Baba Afolabi hosted the event. Alanna is the Style House Visionary and Baba is the man behind the SuRu clothing line. Baba's philosophy is ,
According to the SuRu tale, one is given four choices of which only one can be chosen. The choices are Wealth, Fertility, Patience [SuRu] and Immortality. The moral of the tale is with SuRu [Patience] you can achieve all. By holding our garment, you’ve selected SuRu [Patience]. By wearing the garment, you are promoting diversity in the world.

  It was a super fun event and I felt proud to know such wonderful people and great designers. 

www.suruclothing.com

Last evening I had the pleasure of attending the trunk show, SATIATE YOUR SOLE with shoe designer, Tiffany Walker.  Tiffany and I had the pleasure of meeting shoe designer Dierde Wallace.  We lovely conversation with her and we were truly inspired by her designs. Please check out her shoe collection at,
deefind.com.

Last night I had the opportunity to meet  knitwear designer, Scott Ian McFarland.  We had a lovely conversation and I look forward to seeing his collection at San Francisco Fashion Week. Please feel free to check out Scott's designs at www.scottianmcfarland.com

Last week I met with the marketing and sales directors of the Westfield Mall. Currently, they are looking to update the style of  the kiosk stands.  They are hoping to get visual interns to help them recreate the look on a budget. I met with them to discuss the different opportunities and to see if I could refer interns to them.  Currently, we are waiting to see some materials and  trying to figure out an exact budget. I will keep you updated.

Last Thursday night I attended the party for BAYFashion Magazine at the Cliff Hotel.
Chris and Kelly hosted this party and Charleston Pierce choreographed the fashion show. It was an amazing show and a super fun party. To learn more about the BAYFashion Magazine please read below and check out their fun website.

Welcome to BAYFashion Magazine

Welcome to San Francisco's most popular independent fashion magazine.

We bring San Francisco Fashion to the World and a World of Fashion to you...

BAYFashion is a labor of love for Bay Area Fashion, by a team of fashionistas who are dedicated to bring you the latest in fashion from the SF Bay and from around the World and we have been doing so consistently for the last 18 months.

http://www.bayfashionmag.com/index.php/81-bayfashion-content/73-welcome-to-bayfashion-magazine

This evening I was able to get in contact with Manager of http://www.sellbottledwater.com/ and had a great conversation with them about potentially sponsoring the San Francisco International Film Festival.  Hopefully, it will work out. I will keep you posted.

Last week at the Bay Area Fashion Network Meeting, I met Hector Manuel. Hector is a local designer and will be showing his designs at the San Francisco International Film Festival on August 25th, 2012.  Please check out their website to buy tickets,  sanfranciscointernationalfashionfilmfestival.com

For the past 10 days I have been on vacation in Minnesota visiting family. Recently, I returned back to San Francisco and found myself emerged right back in the fashion scene.  Man, do I love the big city and the opportunities it brings.

Last night I hosted an event at FIDM, with Bay Area Fashion Network. I had the opportunity of personally meeting Joseph Domingo. In the past I have seen his work presented at different fashion shows, but never have I had the opportunity to actually work with him.  He is such an amazing man with great talent. The Bay Area Fashion Network was a great group of talented people that were willing to share their ideas and come together to help promote and support one another.  Currently, they are working on the San Francisco International Film Festival. This event will be on August 25th.   It is going to be one fabulous event. To find out more information, please take a look at the following websites. I look forward to sharing more information about this fabulous event!


http://josephdomingo.com/about.html

http://www.sfbafn.com/

http://sanfranciscointernationalfashionfilmfestival.com/

Today Bart, Heather and I viewed the Regency Center on Sutter Street in San Francisco. We viewed the Regency Center as a possible venue for the GO Annual Fashion Show. It was pretty cool and it is on the top of our list for potential venues. Tomorrow we are meeting for lunch to discuss the details of budget, size and cost. If you would like to see more information about this fabulous place, please visit
http://www.regencycentersf.com/.

San Francisco Design Week

San Francisco Design Week June 11-16th

Last night I attended two presentations at the Apple Store on Stockton Street. Two of my good friends were presenting for San Francisco Design Week. Brad Carrick, founder of SOLZ Inc. presented on the newest and latest technology products he has designed and Lorraine Sanders presented on being a fashion blogger and the newest Apps she uses as a journalist.  

Recently, Brad created a new solar-powered backpack named SOLZbag. It is a backpack that charges your electronic devices. You can find more information about this product on Brad's Website,  http://www.solzshoes.com

Lorraine spoke about the importance of using technology as a blogger. She also gave us information on the secrets to blogging. She says the secret sauce to being a successful blogger is the following-
-Unique presence
-Consistent
-you are constantly thinking about your blog
-typically you have more than one person helping you do the blog/reporting/photography
-and most important it's a lot of luck!
Please find more information about Lorraine Sanders at http://lorrainesanders.com/ and below you will see a list of the different Apps Lorraine uses.

Hootsuite- manages all of your social media stuff
Instragram- changes photos
Uber.com- car service that is reliable and will always get you there on time.
Evernote.com- you can create different notebooks, to store information.
Picfx
idarkroom
photo collage
perfect 365
one touch makeover
modiface
posh mark
thread flip
videofy me

This past Monday I went to the Old Mint Building on 5th Street and Mission in San Francisco to view the space for an upcoming fashion show.  The building is beautiful and has so much history. In 1961 the Old Mint was declared a National Historic Landmark. The federal government began using it as office space in 1972. Then, in 1994, the Treasury Department closed the building. In 2003, the federal government sold the Old Mint to the city of San Francisco. The city then proceeded to give the building over to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, and they are now in the  plans of turning the Old Mint into the San Francisco History Museum. Unfortunately, the building does not have enough space to host a fashion show of 500+ people in one room, but the building itself would be lovely to have another event at. The architecture work is absolutely stunning and it is definitely worth visiting.

This coming Saturday, June16th SFFAMA, San Francisco Fashion and Merchants Alliance,  presents their first annual runway show for San Francisco Design Week.

Join us for the first annual San Francisco Design Week Runway Show, hosted by SFFAMA, Inc [http://sffamainc.org/ ] and Astro Studios [ http://www.astrostudios.com/ ]. Featuring retailers: ROGUE & JY+JZ and local designers Audrey Szeto, Jennifer Schmidt, and Scott Ian McFarland.

- WHAT: SF DESIGN WEEK 2012 Runway Show
- WHEN: June 16, 2012, Saturday. Door Opens at 6:30pm, Runway Starts at 7:30pm
- WHERE: ASTRO STUDIOS, 348 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- DRESS CODE: Fashionably Chic / Dress To Impress
- TICKETS: $10 Early Bird / $15 Late Bird / $20 at the Door (Tickets are non-refundable)
- PURCHASE TICKETS @ http://sfdw2012runway06162012-eorg.eventbrite.com/
- Only approved photographers are allowed to cover this event
- No Guestlist

FEATURED DESIGNERS:

- ROGUE @ http://rogue.us.com/
- JY+JZ @ http://www.seezenn.com/
- SCOTT IAN MCFARLAND http://scottianmcfarland.com/
- AUDREY SZETO @ http://audreyszeto.com/
- JENNIFER SCHMIDT @ http://jheartsfashion.wordpress.com/

WITH:

- ASTRO STUDIOS @ http://www.astrostudios.com/
- AIGA SF @ http://aigasf.org/
- FASHION+TECHSF @ http://www.fashiontechsf.org/
- SFFAMA, Inc. @ http://sffamainc.org/

- OWEN GERONIMO @ http://about.me/owengeronimo

SPONSORED BY:
- HIPSWAP @ http://www.hipswap.com/
- - SFIEC @ http://www.sfiec.edu/

+ For media relations, publicity, product promotions, sponsorship opportunities, and booking info, please email Owen Geronimo [ http://about.me/owengeronimo ]at - contact@sffamainc.org.

San Francisco Design Week is a growing celebration of San Francisco Bay Area design which includes an opening reception, Business and Design forums, studio tours, exhibitions, runway, lectures, mixers, a closing party, and more.

This morning I met an old student of mine, Ebtisam Khan. We had tea at one of my favorite spots in Union Square, Emporio Rulli. We spoke about her education at FIDM and her search for her dream job. Ebtisam graduated from FIDM with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and an AA in Merchandise Marketing. She is now realizing she would like to be a stylist or a visual merchandiser. She is searching for an internship or a full-time job. She is open to living in San Francisco, LA or New York. The joys of being young and going after your passion. She knows she loves clothes and that her favorite designer is Chanel. I know that Ebtisam will be successful in the fashion industry and I can't wait to see what she does. It has been such a pleasure to work with Ebtisam and guide her through her education and help her find a job. I wish her the BEST of Luck. xxxx Laurie

San Francisco Design Week is  June 11-15, with a runway show on 6/16/12.

During San Francisco Design Week there will be several presentations at the Apple Store. To find out more information on these presentations,  please check out http://applestoresanfranciscoevents.tumblr.com/

Last Wednesday Night I attended the RDI, Retail Design Institute, Networking Event.  RDI was founded in 1961 and is an international non-profit professional development organization. The organization is located in the Bay Area and their membership consists of architects, graphic designers, lighting designers, interior designers, store planners, visual merchandisers, retail executives, brand strategists, educators, trade partners, digital artists, product designers, construction managers and students. If you are interested in learning more about this professional development membership,  please check out RDI at retaildesigninstitute.org.

Last night I met up with Charleston Pierce and a few of his models.  Charleston threw a going away party for Jody Miller, as she is moving to LA. It was great to re-connect with familiar faces and chat about upcoming events in fashion industry. Jody, we wish you the best of luck! You will be missed.

PLANNING FOR 2ND ANNUAL "GO" FASHION SHOW

This past week I went to the first viewing of a potential venue for the 2nd Annual Fashion Show for GO, Groundwork Opportunities. This year we are hoping to double the size of the show and  proceeds. We (owner of GO, Bartlomiej Skorupa, Heather Grabowski and I) looked at the new Metreon location called "City View". It is a fabulous location with amazing views, but it might be a bit out of our budget. Currently, we are working on writing proposals for companies to be sponsors.  We are hoping to get a few people/companies to sponsor the event. Here are some facts/reviews about GO, Groundwork Opportunities and last years fashion event. 

• The San Francisco–based nonprofit Groundwork Opportunities will be donating all proceeds from this event to fund a clean water well for 2,500 people in Moshi, Tanzania.

• About Groundwork Opportunities

  • The Review
  • Backstory
  You may know Ubuntu as a Michelin-rated restaurant in Napa. It is also a South African saying that conveys human relations and the value of compassion. In the spirit of Ubuntu, Groundwork Opportunities is inviting Gilt City members to “Define: Beauty,” a fashion show for a cause at the sleek, ultra-modern Madrone Studios. Gilt City members will receive VIP tickets and preferential seating at this premier fashion show, which will feature the newest collections from revered San Francisco designers such as Kajan Padraig, Cari Borja and MENK. Each guest will also take home a San Francisco–centric goodie bag containing Alter Eco Chocolates, Yes To products and Benefit cosmetics, among other fabulous takeaways. About the 501c3 charity: it sponsors innovative, grassroots development projects in impoverished nations. Projects include providing clean water to rural areas of Cambodia, educating locals on sustainable farming techniques in Uganda and building schools to provide basic education in Tanzania. If only all fashion shows could be this rewarding.

  — Erica Henderson, Gilt City Editor

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Joyce Hu the creative director for www.wildlifeworks.com and  www.thebrookr.com.  Please see details about both companies below.

1. Wildlife Works is looking for fashion interns. See attached. 

2. thebookr is always a. looking for models b. any fashion designers who want to shoot their clothing, please tell them about thebookr for models. c. please spread the word to your designer / ad agency clients - anyone looking to book talent directly 

This past month has been amazing. I have met so many new people in the industry and I have enjoyed getting to know all of them. I thought I would give a shout out to all of my new friends. Thanks for connecting and I look forward to working with you.
Charleston Pierce; http://www.charlestonpierce.com/ ,
Gus Harput; http://www.harputsown.com/,
Sam Watson- Model-http://www.modelmayhem.com/1547978,
Mike Borozdin-Model-http://www.modelmayhem.com/751537,
Vishal Kalia; www.raf9.com
Gwendolyn Wright; www.thewrightconsultants.com

Today I met Gwendolyn Wright, Business Consultant,  for coffee.  We had a nice conversation about the fashion industry and how designers can build their business. We spoke about how a designer can market themselves and how an individual should have a business plan on how they are going to become successful in the industry. Gwendolyn Wright, is a consultant who specializes in helping small businesses fund money. Please check out her website at www.thewrightconsultants.com.  We also chatted about the importance of technology and how the Bay Area is know for the technology industry.  We discussed the importance of emerging designers, technology and business plans. An interesting point that I took away from our conversation, is email should only be used to converse and to not market one's product, idea or business. In today's world we are overwhelmed with emails and are moving into the world of Apps. Most of us receive so many emails, we end up not opening the majority of them.  If you are looking to market product, please make sure you have a user friendly website and are looking into building an app for your company/product and searching other options to market your product. The best way to market your product is to NETWORK and meet new people. You never know who you might meet.

Currently, I am working with an online media specialist, who is building an app for designers. Last week I met him for coffee to give him feedback on the app. It was interesting to see how technology will be shaping designers ability to market themselves and promote their brands. If you are a designer and would like to be a part of the app's trial period, please contact me.  The app should launch this coming fall, during San Francisco Fashion Week.

Last week I went to the de Young Museum to see the Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit. It was absolutely fantastic. If you haven't seen it, you must go check it out.

Clift Hotel Spring Fashion Show 5/3/12

Last night after OHMH a few friends and I went over to the Clift Hotel for the Spring Fashion Show. Bianca Starr presented, a night of fashion and music. The following boutiques, Wonderland SF * Density Dept * Sui Generis  and * Top Shelf Mobile Boutique, were featured on the runway.  Djs J Boogie * Ry Toast performed and their was a special performanceby B. Bravo and the Starship Connection. Overall, it was a fabulous evening. 

Last night I attended One Home Many Hopes Fund-Raising Event. It was a special evening and 100 % of the proceeds went to funding education for girls in Mudzini Kwetu. Anthony Mulungo and Thomas Keown, Co-founders of OHMH, spoke about how we can help raise money and awareness for girls in Kenya. If you would like more information about OHMH, please visit their website at  http://www.onehomemanyhopes.org/.






Please purchase tickets in advance at:

http://thebeat.eventbrite.com/



$25 before April 12th

$30 Advanced Purchase

$40 at the Gallery



To learn more about OHMH, please visit our website: www.onehomemanyhopes.org



Kindly Sponsored by Lifestyle + Charity.



* A special thank you to our partner One World for helping organize this event. *



See More

SFFAMA Workshop 5/2/2012

Last night I was a guest speaker at  the SFFAMA Workshop.  There was a small group of us and we discussed portfolios and reviewed future opportunities in the industry.  I spoke about how to make your portfolio look professional and how to be successful in the industry.  The number one thing a designer needs is the passion for the industry.  If you have the passion and the dedication, you will be successful in the industry.

A highlight of last night was that I met Gwendolyn Wright. Gwendolyn, is a business consultant that helps people learn how to build their business. It was crazy because we both were guest speakers and we both have the same last name.  Maybe somehow we are related? I wonder.  Regardless, I loved networking and meeting new people. It was exciting to share some thoughts with young new designers and models.  If you would like to know more about the evening, please see below.

PORTFOLIO NIGHT & OPEN CASTING

Portfolio Night is a platform created for fashion and art industry professionals including: models, photographers, stylists, fashion designers, bloggers, media professionals and graphic artists. It is a networking event where attendees share their portfolio with others ina show-and-tell format.

It is a networking environment where attendees are encouraged to brainstorm and share new ideas including career advises. Learn on a grassroots level and connect with guests who have the same goals and passion about their work in the arts and fashion industry.

WHAT: Portfolio Night & Open Casting
WHERE: FIDMSF, 55 Stockton, Conference Room, SF
RSVP: $10 General Admission Door or Online, FREE to all current students with ID (All Schools)

+ CASTING CALLs for the following projects:

1) Models for Pigment Cosmetics & Blush School of Makeup
2) Models for SF Design Week 2012, Runway Show
3) Retailers & Contestants (Hairstylists & Makeup Artists) for The Beauty Expo
4) Fashion Bloggers/Models for The Beauty Expo
5) Fashion App Developers for Startup Demo
6) Interns & Volunteers for SFFAMA events

To find more about PORTFOLIO NIGHT, please our Facebook Page here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portfolio-Night/432168530133058
-or visit here: http://projectsanfrancisco.us/

Good-bye EMAIL, Hello APP World

This afternoon I had the opportunity to meet with a friend of mine, Vishal Kalia. Vishal and I met for coffee to discuss his company  raf9.  Eventually raf9 will be launching an app that will help designers promote their products. Vishal and I discussed the different ways designers could market their product through this app. Designers could also connect themselves to other designers and other local businesses.  Eventually designers would be able to promote their product by giving back to the community. I personally look forward to seeing this app launch and working with Vishal.
  

Amazing...
PRADA SPRING/SUMMER

PRADA SPRING/SUMMER 2012 WOMEN'S ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgaGXv1XnrA&feature=share

SFFAMA WORKSHOP @ FIDM

On Wednesday Night I will be attending Portfolio Night at FIDM. Please see below for more information about the event. I am excited to meet new designers, models and network with other fashion industry professionals.

Portfolio Night is a platform created for fashion and art industry professionals including: models, photographers, stylists, fashion designers, bloggers, media professionals and graphic artists. It is a networking event where attendees share their portfolio with others in a show-and-tell format. It is a networking environment where attendees are encouraged to brainstorm and share new ideas including career advises. Learn on a grassroots level and connect with guests who have the same goals and passion about their work in the arts and fashion industry. WHAT: Portfolio Night & Open Casting WHERE: FIDMSF, 55 Stockton, Conference Room, SF RSVP: $10 General Admission Door or Online @ http://www.sanfranciscofashionindustry.org/events/61777182/ - FREE to all current students with ID (All Schools) + CASTING CALLs for the following projects: 1) Models for Pigment Cosmetics & Blush School of Makeup 2) Models for SF Design Week 2012, Runway Show 3) Retailers & Contestants (Hairstylists & Makeup Artists) for The Beauty Expo 4) Fashion Bloggers/Models for The Beauty Expo 5) Fashion App Developers for Startup Demo 6) Speakers for Apple Workshops for SF Design Week 2012 7) Interns & Volunteers for SFFAMA events To find more about PORTFOLIO NIGHT, please our Facebook Page here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portfolio-Night/432168530133058 -or visit here: http://projectsanfrancisco.us/

Here is the photo of the day from One Hope Many Hopes. Please come to the event this Thursday and help this young lady get an education. http://thebeat.eventbrite.com/

CO-HOSTING EVENT FOR OHMH

This coming Thursday, May 3rd, 2012,  I will be co-hosting a fund-raising event for One Hope Many Hopes. The event is called "Get on the BEAT": An Evening Benefit at Meridian Gallery!  Currently there is still time to buy your tickets. Please make sure to go to http://thebeat.eventbrite.com and purchase tickets in advance. This will be a special evening of art, wine, food and music. 

All proceeds will go to rescuing, housing and educating the girls at Mudzini Kwetu in Kenya. Advance purchase tickets are $30; tickets at the door are $40. 

To meet the girls you'll help and see Mudzini Kwetu, check out this 3 minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWEjiddrgfA

Many thanks for your support of One Home Many Hopes. We'll see you May 3rd!www.onehomemanyhopes.org

Here is some information about me.... 

I work in the Fashion Industry.   Currently, I am a recruiter/advisor who helps people in the design industry.  For the past 5 years I have worked at FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.  Prior to working at FIDM I was an Elementary School Teacher. I taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade in the private, public and charter school systems.  I loved my job as a teacher, but I always felt like I loved the relationships I built more than teaching. Growing up I always loved to be creative and loved to do projects. I also loved to shop. I seriously got a “high” off of shopping.  I always loved fashion, but growing up in Minnesota “Fashion” was not an industry for a career.  When I was a teacher I worked at Banana Republic, Gap Inc. and realized how much I loved to style outfits and help people find clothes to fit them.  After moving to San Francisco, I soon realized I could work in the fashion industry. At that point in my life I decided to change careers and try something new.

Entering the world of the fashion industry, has been absolutely amazing!  I have loved every minute of it and I am constantly thinking and brainstorming new creative ideas. Two years ago, I realized I wanted to become more involved in the fashion industry.  A good friend of mine, Bart Skorupa, was going to produce his first fashion show for his non-profit GO, Groundwork Opportunities. He contacted me because he knew I worked in the fashion industry and knew I had some connections to the industry.  Him, I and a few others started attending fashion shows here in the city.  I soon realized I knew a ton of people in the industry and loved networking and meeting new people. It wasn’t long after, I realized I wanted to find a way to connect talent to talent. I knew designers, models and producers, but I wasn't sure how I could connect all of them.  Randomly one night I woke up at 4 AM and said hey why not start a Facebook Page. It could be a page where I list events and connect people to other people in the industry. At that moment, I started a Facebook Page and called it, Lj Productions.  For the past year I have used the page to connect talent to talent and to talk about current events happening in the industry. Please free to “like” my Facebook Page Lj Productions. Two years ago, I started a blog called Lj's Fashion Styling and for some reason this past year my Facebook page has taken over me writing on my blog. I'm now in the position, where I am realizing I can use my blog to share what I am doing in the industry. Please continue to follow me on my blog and see what I am doing in the industry.

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