Today marks the date of Decoded Fashion, a forum series that launches at Lincoln Center focused on the growing intersection of technology startups and the fashion industry. Keynote speakers include Melisa Goldie, Calvin Klein’s Chief Creative Officer, CEO of Tumblr, David Karp, and CEO and Founder of Bonobos, Andy Dunn. Also taking place, will be a designer panel that will include names like Nicole Miller and thought leaders from Alice+Olivia and Kate Spade. Not surprisingly, brands like Rebecca Minkoff are also participating.
While I’m very grateful for my invite to the event, how about we take a rain check on NYC until Fashion Week next September? Oh, East Coast, I miss you.
Too many times I see people being too forward online and not forward enough offline, so here are three tips to use in both worlds.
Pillows are a creation of Craftsquatch
1. Always introduce yourself.
For some reason I keep getting requests to connect on LinkedIn (and sometimes on Facebook) from people I’ve never had any interaction with (following me on Twitter doesn’t count). The web gives you hundreds of ways to connect with others, but you get one chance to make a first impression. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t approach someone at a networking event and just hand over your business card or ask them to connect with you on a website without saying more than your name and job title, right? In my opinion, LinkedIn works the same way.
Always err on the side of being polite and just send a friendly note saying why you want to connect. Found a blog and want to meet the creator? Thank them for their great content, and then ask to connect. Want a job at your dream company? Reach out to a person who works there and say you’re interested in learning more about their company, and then ask to connect. Realize someone in your field went to your college? Send a friendly note and see if you can chat sometime about college memories and your professional experience, then ask to connect. A few extra minutes here and there will make you stand out from the pack.
2. Never ask someone for a job or job reference whom you haven’t met.
I was on the receiving end of one of these communications last year (through email). A girl I knew referred a job seeking girl to me just based on the fact we both like to write. The first girl did the right thing- tried to help out her friend. The second girl messed up. Not only did she not even say anything substantial about her background so I could get any sense of her qualifications, she then flat out asked for any connections I might have in the writing field. REALLY?! I want to be clear, I love connecting people. But, I have a rule to only connect people who have professional backgrounds I can actually speak to.
Here’s the thing about networking, it’s an ongoing process that is all about connecting with people. Many wait until they’re really after something tangible- a new job, a new sales lead, a new client- to start the process. When you meet someone new you’d like to get to know better be friendly and ask questions that will help lead you to your goal Do not flat out ask for a job or reference. You will look needy, unprofessional, and most likely ruin the chance at some great relationships that may help you down the line. Instead, try to foster the start of a relationship so you gain a true contact you can ask for help when the timing is right.
3. Be yourself!
For anyone who’s found bios about me online, found my Twitter stream, or has had a laugh with me in person, you will come across the same person. Sure, like anyone, I have different sides to my personality, but I always remain true to who I am. I talk about the same sorts of topics on and offline. I approach people in the same way. And my writing voice is very similar to how I communicate in person.
Meeting people can be scary, but every mom’s advice is to just be yourself and people will like you. (Our moms were right, by the way). In the company lunchroom, at industry events, and when posting content online, be proud of who you are. Find your niche, find your voice, and don’t be afraid to speak up!
Have a subject you want to learn more about? Email me at prettyinnovative@gmail.com.
When you get an invitation to a private party for fashion insiders, you don’t say no.
Last week I received an invitation to a dinner hosted by Soma magazine and Diesel at Diesel’s San Francisco flagship location. Just as I was sipping on my first Cosmo I was approached by one of the Diesel team and Ali Ghanbarian Publisher and Editor in Chief of Soma magazine and asked if I would model a pair of jeans. Of course I said yes! Then I was told I could keep them, along with the shirt of my choosing. Double yes!!
Behind-the-scenes model moment
I headed to the dressing room with four other girls where we were each outfitted in a different style of jean and top. I tried on Diesel’s Flairlegg jean and instantly felt comfortable and confident in them.
All smiles behind-the-scenes
It was nice to meet a group of girls who were all very friendly and ready for some fun. We took way too many pictures in the dressing room as we were getting ready, each admiring the others’ jean styles.
According to many, I was the model with the most personality (which I hope is a good thing). Not all of my moves were caught on video, but here’s a sneak peak at the event.
After cocktail hour, we enjoyed a lovely catered meal, complete with flowing laughter and wine. There was a little bit of tech present too. At each place setting a chunky silver watch was used as a napkin ring, as a gift for each girl. And there were small cards prompting attendees to tweet using #dieseldinner.
Just before dessert it was time to model. Each of us was called up to the “front” of the room and asked to show off her jeans for the rest of the dinner party, while a Diesel representative, and special host Yuan Zhang of ShopNear.me, explained the best ways to style each jean.
Overall I had a wonderful evening and couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share it with.
After a four year hiatus, I can add model back on my resume.
Check out the blog post from another model of the evening, complete with more photos, over at Complacency Kills.
Have you ever been a size S at one store and a size M at another? Often I shop on ecommerce sites headquartered in Europe or Asia hoping to find a little something different, and the scariest part is trying to find a good fit for a new piece of apparel.
Enter Fits.me, a company that offers the technology online clothing retailers can use to give customers a realistic view of how different sizes of a piece of clothing will fit their body.
“Our robots and the Virtual Fitting Room technology have solved the main problem that online clothing retailers face – the lack of a fitting room,” Heikki Haldre, CEO and co-founder of Fits.me said.
The technology, created by teams from Estonia (Tartu University and Tallinn Technical University) and Germany (Human Solutions GmbH), is the basis for the robotic mannequins whose shapes can deftly shrink to slimmer sizes or grow to hunkier frames. These robots- there are 14 total- can morph into 100,000 body shapes.
Right now, brands like Ermenegildo Zegna (a men’s luxury brand), Thomas Pink, and Park & Bond use this technology to help give their clients a better understanding of how their pieces fit. Why did all the men’s retailers jump on board first? According to the Fits.me team, a man’s torso is less complicated than a woman’s so the team started there, back in 2010. And just recently, the first woman’s robot model was launched.
Vogue magazine named Fits.me one of the most influential names in digital fashion in their 2012 Online Fashion 100 list so rest assured, this invention is fashion forward. Now here’s hoping the Fits.me team can create an army of robots to send to more than a few luxury retailers so I can spend less time on guesswork and returns and more time shopping for pieces that will actually flatter.
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