We are beyond thrilled that October 25th is almost here…and with it the much-anticipated FashionForward conference!
This year, there seem to be more fashion/digital conferences than ever before, indicating that our industry is now open, receptive and in need of the information that will help our brands and businesses excel and evolve in this new space. We are incredibly excited about this.
The funny thing is, when we began FashionForward in 2011, we never set out to produce a conference. In fact, we found most conferences to be rather stale, predictable and sales-driven. Most are run by conference companies with the goal of driving revenue by cutting corners, charging brands and vendors to speak, as well as people to attend. Ticket sales outreach is intended to pack a seminar room or conference hall with as many people as possible. Name tags are given out and the people from the top brands are preyed on. Those you want to meet are sequestered in a separate VIP room not everyone has access to. Boxed lunch is served and coffee is available only if you pay for it. New insights and information are hard to come by, as most are presented as case studies or sales pitches by people commonly seen on the speaker circuit.
This is the typical conference experience that we wanted no part of. Whatsoever.
But then something happened, our founder Elizabeth was invited to speak at a TEDx in Bali. And that’s when everything changed. On the beach in the Gili islands after TEDx the plan was made to create the anti-conference, an industry event intended to inspire, connect, educate and inform a top group of industry professionals.
After all, fashion is a creative field, and digital is so innovative, why shouldn’t a learning experience be as enjoyable as it is insightful? Why shouldn’t you leave with new friends and business connections, wiped out from an insightful day but excited and empowered to use everything you’ve learned the next day at the office?
FashionForward is held at the intimate Crosby Street Hotel. Attendance is by invitation only and limited to just over 100. An agenda is created based on the most critical topics faced by our industry now. Thought leaders on each topic are selected and invited to speak.
If you’re interested in learning more, or requesting an invitation, please visit www.fashionforwardevents.com.
