FFN’s Return to NYC for a Week of Deeper Exploration, Connection, and Advancement of Partnerships
From April 14th to 19th, 2024, the Fashion Forward Network Delegation embarked on its second trip to New York City. Project hosts Fashion Council Germany and Sqetch provided a renewed and refined itinerary curated to fit our dynamic mix of 12 participants, including nine fashion brands and three impact & tech startups. After a successful week, participants now have a solid foundation to further explore new business relationships and market opportunities in the US.
Meet the Delegation: A Dynamic Mix
The delegation group represented a dynamic mix of brands and startups from the beloved Berlin fashion scene. Avenir and Impari are two Berlin fashion brands that joined us once again after our successful inaugural delegation in October 2023. In addition to Avenir and Impari, Maison Baum is joining again, now representing as DR. BAUM in the tech and impact cohort. A selection of seven newly joined brands accompanied them, including Haderlump, Kasia Kucharska, Natascha von Hirschhausen, Richert Beil, SF 1 OG, and Société Angelique. These participants joined forces with newly joined fashion impact & tech startups PLATTE, Reframd, and SANE Standard to form a diverse and dynamic delegation group. All of them got the opportunity to collaboratively explore NYC through the packed schedule with industry meet-ups, investor pitches, expert-led tours, and valuable networking opportunities.
Five Days in NYCs Buzzing Fashion and Tech Universe
The delegation kicked off the program on Monday morning with a warm welcome to NYC at the offices of the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to learn more about the vibrant, sustainable and creative business landscape in NYC. The first day continued with valuable insights on US buying and consumption at the Philip Lim HQ, exchanges around PR and US Market strategies with journalist Karo Brandi, and ending the day with a pitch training session hosted together with Brian Frumberg from Venture Out.
The second day started bright and early with a session on celebrity dressing with expert Anna Khitrina. Afterwards, the day continued with insightful advice from CFDA’s CEO Steven Kolb, a meeting with Highsnobiety’s US editor-in-chief Willa Bennett on editorials and PR in the US fashion market, and an immersive factory tour at Atelier Amelia. Day two came to a successful end with an exclusive fireside dinner, hosted by the FCG and entertained by Chef Simon at Loft 29, guests of our US fashion and tech network got to connect with the delegation through dinner and drinks.
The following began with a visit to the Parsons E-Lab with Prof. Rhea Alexander. Both days three and four were packed with meetings with influential industry players such as buying expert Michael Kurtis, freelance fashion journalist India Roby, and fashion styling expert Angel Macias. On the morning of day four, the delegates headed out on a retail hotspot tour through Manhattan, stopping by The Webster to meet Stephanie Gawlik, and by Merz b. Schwanen to meet Gitta and Peter Plotnocki. In the afternoon, the delegates met Carmen Gama from the Eileen Fisher Foundation to talk about sustainability and circularity in our fixed meeting room at the offices of Berlin Business Office NYC. The program was supplemented by communications training by Kim Lenar and a pitch training session with entrepreneur Brian Frumberg, to prepare for the subsequent pitch night in front of US experts and potential investors, who were then able to provide valuable feedback on the participants’ products and business models.
The week concluded with a meeting with Melitta Baumeister at her NYC studio and a wrap up session with all participants sharing their experiences.
What’s Next: Impressions, Contacts, and Future Activities
Once again the delegation returned from New York rich in new ideas, contacts and potential partnerships. The Fashion Forward Network is looking forward to connecting through future activities, starting with our upcoming webinar sessions and the reciprocal delegation from the US in June 2024.
For those keen to delve deeper into this pioneering initiative and its future prospects, we encourage you to reach out. Learn more by contacting us at info@fashionforward.network.
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Join us on this visionary fashion, innovation, and international collaboration journey. The Fashion Forward Network is not just about bridging cities; it’s about connecting creativity, technology, and sustainable business practices in the global fashion landscape.