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.