Fashion Law : Fashion Lawyer & Attorney : Fox Rothschild Law Firm : Licensing, Intellectual Property

co-authored by Peter Buckley

Thank you everyone for coming to last night's event, "Unlocking the Secrets of Philadelphia Fashion in 2010," an event co-sponsored by the Fashion Law Practice Group of Fox Rothschild, LLP (my firm) and Fashion Group International - Philadelphia (full disclosure -- I am the Regional Director of Fashion Group International in Los Angeles).

The event was well attended, featured a spirited interactive discussion, featured good old "fashion" networking and the attendees walked away with information that could help their business immediately. Now, if you were not able to join us, here is a first hand account of the evening from our moderator, Peter Buckley:

• Kristie Bergey, Owner of the KB Experience and Executive Director of Philadelphia Fashion Week energized the audience around recent successes in the Philadelphia fashion community and discussed how Philadelphia is primed to grow as a center for fashion. With access to an enormous marketplace that is often used to launch national products, but without crippling overhead of other locales, Philadelphia provides an ideal home for fashion, she said.

• Karen Randal, the City of Philadelphia's Director of Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion, highlighted a number of initiatives sponsored by city government designed to attract businesses (specifically those in fashion) to Philadelphia - tax incentives, financing assistance, job training grants and improved services all designed to make Philadelphia a great place to run a business.

• Sarah Van Aken, Owner of Sa Va, who took advantage of the incentives offered by the City to relocate her garment production from Bangladesh, offered her perspective on what it takes to succeed in Philadelphia fashion. Sarah emphasized the importance of knowing your customer and making business decisions with your target audience in mind. Sarah explained how she has successfully used social media - especially Facebook - to reach her customers and expand her brand in Philadelphia and beyond.

• Kristen Insalaco, Principal of Insalaco Public Relations and Director of Public Relations for Philadelphia Fashion Week 2009 offered a perspective from a public relations professional. Kristen emphasized the benefits of working with local professionals who know the Philadelphia media marketplace and stressed the importance of social media in any marketing plan designed today. Kristin explained the concept of search engine optimization and discussed how it can be used to gain increased visibility on the Internet; and

Staci Riordan, the Chair of Fox Rothschild's Fashion Law Practice Group, counseled the business owners about the importance of strategic planning, being passionate about fashion, and trademarking your "name" early, giving special consideration to reasons why you might want to avoid using your name in your brand if at all possible. Staci reiterated the importance of connecting with your target audience and using social media to effectively market to your niche.

Thank you again for all of you who attended. I enjoyed meeting you and if you would like a version of this presentation in your city, please send me an email!

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Two weeks ago, this blog discussed the importance of networking the old fashion way.  While social networking is very important, you must also do in-person networking to build trust and lasting relationships.  I then followed-up by sharing some opportunities for in-person networking in Los Angeles.  So those of you on the East Coast are not left out, here are two networking events in your neighborhood you may be interested in:

First, on January 28, 2010 in NYC, FashInvest is having its first event this year in its Concept to Capital series, Making the Leap to Becoming Investor Ready Fashpreneur.  The event will bring together entrepreneurs with investors, industry executives, and service providers within the online and offline Branded Goods, Retail and Fashion sectors to help them find funding and support for growing their businesses. 

The panel is composed of Ed Goodman, of Milestone Venture Partners and the Bergdorf Goodman family; Mickey Klein of The Astor Group and Elie Tahari; Jack Drapacz of Holden Asset Management and Financo; George Nemphos of Duane Morris who also has deep personal operating experience in Branded Goods; John Ferretti of Foxfire who is a venture backed entrepreneur and an active angel investor in the branded goods space; and David Freschman who is the Chairman of FashInvest, a 15 year venture capitalist and an angel investor.

Click Here to Register.

As you may remember, I am a steering committee member for and speaker at their upcoming Summit in Spring 2010 in New York.

Second, on February 3, 2010, the Fashion Law Practice Group of Fox Rothschild (my firm and my practice group) and Fashion Group International, Philadelphia are hosting Unlocking the Secrets of Philadelphia Fashion in 2010.  This event is for Philadelphia's designers, manufacturers and retailers, whether you are just starting out or a fashion industry veteran, who wants to make 2010 their most successful year yet.  Moderated by Peter C. Buckley, the panel includes:

• Sarah Van Aken, Owner of Sa Va;
• Kristen Insalaco, Principal of Insalaco Public Relations and Director of Public Relations for Philadelphia Fashion Week 2009;
• Karen Randal, City of Philadelphia, Director of Business Attraction;
• Kristie Bergey, Owner of the KB Experience and Executive Director of Philadelphia Fashion Week; and
• ME, Staci Riordan!

I am on the East Coast often and would love to meet you.  Please RSVP  and I look forward to seeing you soon! 

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