Category Archives: News

Design Entrepreneurs NYC is Recruiting the Class of 2013

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KahriAnne Kerr presenting her plan to a panel of industry experts

Looking to take your fashion business to the next level and need the tools and knowledge to help you run your day-to-day operations while you grow your brand? If so, we encourage you to apply to Design Entrepreneurs NYC. In its second year, our free “mini-MBA” program brought to you by FIT and the NYCEDC will consist of 35 designers for its 2013 class.

Designers selected into the program will participate in weekend intensive seminars from industry leaders on topics such as operations, marketing, financials and other brand building topics. Participants will be paired with a mentor and will use the summer months to work on their business plan. Those that complete the program will also have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of influential industry leaders.

Here’s our criteria for eligibility:

  • Must be a NYC-based (all 5 boroughs welcome) fashion designer
  • Have a NYC-based fashion design business including: womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and/or accessories
  • Be committed to attending all mandatory events (e.g. kick-off, weekend intensives, presentation skills workshop, closing events)
We’d also like you to: 
  • Have been in business for at least one year
  • Have demonstrated traction in the industry (e.g. press coverage, sales, etc.)

The deadline to apply is March 31 at midnight. Learn more about the program at Design Entrepreneurs NYC. 

Congratulations to the Design Entrepreneurs Class of 2012

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James Talbot, Jeanette Nostra, Jess Wade and Mimi Plange

15 Design Entrepreneurs NYC participants had the opportunity to present their business plans to a panel of industry elite to show how a “mini-MBA” program created by FIT and the NYCEDC could strengthen their brand and help turn them into smarter, strategic New York designers. After invaluable critiques, James Talbot, Jes Wade and Mimi Plange were selected to receive additional support.

This four month program has now come to an end and we hope that the inaugural class of 2012 walked away with the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to move forward with success along with new found relationships that will be fostered for years to come.

Learn more about all of the designers and be sure to look out for more news regarding next year’s program!

 

Design Entrepreneurs in the News: Fashion Week Roundup

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Our design entrepreneurs had a strong presence at New York Fashion Week. From showing at Lincoln Center to the piers and all over the city, their spring collections were wonderful. We weren’t the only ones that noticed their talent. Take a look at just some of the clippings!

Sarah Canner featured on CrainsNewYork.com 

 

Suzanne Rae featured on Ecouterre.com 

Parke & Ronen featured on GQ.com 

Soham Dave featured on EcoSalon.com 

Marlon Gobel featured on GQ.com 

DENYC Curriculum: Here’s What We Learned

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Our designers participated in 3 weekend intensives. That’s a total of 42 hours covering marketing, operations and financials. Oh, and they drank a lot of coffee too! Here’s more about the curriculum:

Weekend 1: Fashion Business Marketing

  • Market research: industry analysis/feasibility, market assessment/ target market, competitive analysis
  • Building a brand: creating a cohesive and saleable line; line sheets, look books and sales collateral; press and media relations; pricing; social media
  • Sales: selling to boutiques, selling to major retailers, showrooms, terms and conditions of sale, trade shows, selling online, sales reps

 Weekend 2: Fashion Business Operations

  • Production management: WebPDM, PLM, sourcing vendors, costing, shipping and distribution, purchase orders
  • Business expansion: licensing, partnerships, investors
  • Staffing: developing a management team, developing an advisory board, hiring personnel
  • Legal issues: form of business, intellectual property, contracts

Weekend 3: Fashion Business Financial Management

  • Funding a business: loans, credit, investors, factors, purchase order financing
  • Financial statements: income statement, balance sheet, investor expectations, tax planning

This will culminate in a pitch to a panel of industry professionals that will review a few selected business and marketing plans in September.

Here’s A Big Thank You to Our Instructors and Guest Speakers

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Mario Federici and Brian Moorstein

Design Entrepreneurs NYC would like to send out a special thank you to all of our instructors and guest speakers for taking the time out of their schedule to talk to the group (especially on the weekends). These sessions were invaluable and have helped guide our designers as they refine their business and marketing plans.

Our thanks go to: Jeanette Nostra, Andy Ward, Don McMicheal, Yolanda Wardowski, Eileen Shulock, Gaetane Joseph, Margo Moore, Robert Levy, Bill D’Arienzo, Gary Wassner, Mary Beth Budd, David Colby, Sandra Holtzman, Susan Power, Robert Mahan, Teri Agins, Brian Moorstein and Helen Lane.

Meet the Design Entrepreneurs NYC Class of 2012

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Jeanette Nostra, President Joyce F. Brown, Seth Pinsky and Dean Steven Frumkin

We’re proud to introduce the inaugural class of Design Entrepreneurs NYC. We’ve selected 35 New York based designers who have been in business for at least a year and are committed to growing their brand. We have a diverse group of designers in various product categories, price points and market segments. Some produce in New York and some internationally. We’ve got husband-and-wife partners, Project Runway finalists and even a milliner. Check out all of the Design Entrepreneurs NYC participants in our look book.