Where Fashion Meets Royalty

I won an amazing giveaway from Zuburbia, and was able to attend the Afingo Fashion Forum at the Fashion Institute of Technology on Friday. I asked a girlfriend who happens to be a designer to come along as my guest, and since the panels went all day (9-5), we decided to just go to the second half.

1. Iconic Wisdom

Who spoke: Nick Axelrod of ELLE interviewed top designer Cynthia Rowley.
Takeaway quote: "What's that saying? Every wall is a door?" - Cynthia Rowley, on optimistism, opportunities and her proclivity for malapropisms.

2. Ready to Launch Your Line?

Who spoke: Fern Mallis led a panel including Steven Cox and Daniel Silver (Duckie Brown), Miguelina Gambaccini (Miguelina), Adam Lippes (Adam), Bibhu Mohapatra (Bibhu) and Randi Packard (Real Simple).
Takeaway quote: "Remember, they need you as much as you need them. They want you to be the one. Believe in yourself, and they'll believe in you." - Steven Cox, on the relationship between designers and buyers or editors.

3. Social Media and Publicity

Who spoke: Christene Barberich of Refinery29 led a panel of Patrick Bradbury (Bradbury Lewis), Keith Pollock (Elle.com), Michelle Cerwin (HL Group) Pam Bristow (consultant) and Izzy Grinspan (Racked NY).
Takeaway message: When communicating via social media, think personality not promotion.

Afterward, we dropped by the quintessentially cute and fem offices of Bella PR for a princess party inspired by the upcoming nuptials of Prince William to Kate Middleton; all of the lovely ladies of Bella were dressed as Disney princesses and invited us to sip tea (okay, it was red wine) and nibble petits fours (okayokay, mini cupcakes), then let us sample some beauty products--hopefully I'll get to review some of these for you! It was one of the most friendly and effortless such marketing gatherings I've attended. Perfect to round off a fun, informative day.