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“Setting up a fashion business is all the more challenging because this is a hyper-competitive industry (who doesn’t want to be a fashion designer these days?) and a very complex one as well. What other kinds of start-up businesses so quickly find themselves with customers and suppliers scattered around the world, requiring so much coordination and organization?” - Imran Amed, Founder & Editor-In-Chief of Business of Fashion
New York is a hotbed for fashion startups and brands - our concrete jungle is home to the largest fashion titans in the world, as well as new brands like Warby Parker, Rent the Runway, Bonobos, and MM.LaFleur.
Fashion entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges including optimization of their manufacturing and distribution, sourcing materials, staying on top of the latest trends, and standing out in a crowded landscape with a bevy of competitors.
But through the use of new tech, clever marketing, and innovative designs, fashion entrepreneurs have built brands that have improved our lives (and wardrobes).
If you’re building a fashion startup, join us on May 29th as we discuss what it takes to launch and grow a fashion startup with some of NYC’s smartest entrepreneurs. We’ll discuss
Designing & prototyping your product
Finding manufacturers
Competing in a crowded space
Planning for direct-to-consumer or other distribution channels
Marketing for your product
Fundraising options for beauty startups
About the panelists
Bouchra Ezzahraoui is the Co-founder of AUrate, a jewelry fashion startup based in New York. Bouchra Ezzahraoui comes from Goldman Sachs with a rich background in business strategy, finance, and investor relations. Bouchra spent most of her early years in Morocco and France. Sophie and Bouchra met at Princeton and were at brunch one day lamenting how there were no fine jewelry brands that were doing modern designs at an accessible price point. And that's where the idea for AUrate was born.
Polina Veksler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Universal Standard, a brand she started with her business partner to help disrupt the apparel industry by taking size out of the equation and laying the groundwork for the future of fashion to include women of all sizes. Polina creates and steers the company strategy and oversees everything from operations, communicating the brand’s vision to key stakeholders, raising investment capital, and expanding the brand’s rapid growth trajectory. Polina founded the company with friend, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Alexandra Waldman.
Meg He is the Co-founder of ADAY, a direct-to-consumer brand with a mission to create a better wardrobe of clothing that does more with less. Using technical fabrics and innovative production, ADAY creates versatile, long-lasting apparel with a sustainable approach. ADAY's mission is to set a new standard for clothing and for the $1.5 trillion fashion industry. Named as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, Meg was also named to the Forbes 30 under 30 with her co-founder, Nina Faulhaber. Prior to ADAY, she worked at Poshmark, Cowboy Ventures and Goldman Sachs.
Melanie Travis is the Founder and CEO of Andie, a global e-commerce brand disrupting the market for women's swimwear. Melanie established her career at some of New York City's most successful consumer technology companies: Foursquare, Kickstarter, and most recently Bark & Co. Melanie studied Comparative Literature at Haverford College and film directing at the California Institute of the Arts (MFA).
Melissa Duren Conner (Moderator), Partner & Managing Director of Jennifer Bett Communications- Melissa Duren Conner is a publicist and strategic thinker with over 10 years of industry experience. Throughout her career, she's led PR services for leading companies like TOMS, David Yurman, Sotheby's Diamonds, the 10th anniversary of INTERMIX, in addition to PR operations for Monique Lhuillier, Zimmermann, Kelly Wearstler, and Jack Spade. Eventually, she joined Theory to oversee the press strategy of the core brand in addition to the recently launched Theyskens’ Theory followed by her role as PR Director to launch Joe Fresh. Melissa joined Jennifer Meyer as Partner and Managing Director at Jennifer Bett Communications in July of 2014. With Jennifer, Melissa has grown the company into the leading agency for fast-growing consumer brands who are redefining the modern marketplace.
Schedule
6:30 - 6:50: Drinks & Networking
6:50 - 7:50: Panel
7:50 - 8:15: Audience Q&A
8:15 - 9:00: More Drinks & Networking
About us
Stacklist hosts startup events in NYC to help entrepreneurs learn from successful founders & experts. Previous speakers have included the founders of Greenhouse, Movable Ink, x.ai, and Techstars. You can find all of our past events and speakers here!
If you have any questions, please email me at danny@stacklist.com.
Our partners
Thanks to Alley powered by Verizon for hosting our event. Alley powered by Verizon locations are developed by Verizon, the world’s leading technology company, in collaboration with Alley, a membership-only community workspace for creators. Each location is a curated community powered by the emerging technologies and thought-leadership of Verizon.
Audio transcripts, videos and photos will be taken at the event. As an attendee, you acknowledge that such recordings, videos and photos may be used for promotional or marketing purposes.”