#afingo

                  Words like Eco, Green, and Sustainable, are tacked on to anything and everything these days; a constant barrage of earth friendly products hoping to seduce the consumer into a purchase. Whether through food, energy, beauty, or fashion, what started as a movement is now the standard. Of course not every corporation, brand, farmer, and engineer now incorporates earth friendly practices into their business. However, new laws and growing consumer expectations are transforming the eco–marketplace on a daily basis; appropriately ensuring a sustainable future for sustainability. 

In lieu of incessant babbling about multiple industries, let’s stick to what we know best; fashion. The sustainable style umbrella is a wide one; encompassing corporate practice, waste reduction, vintage/reusability, design, and most importantly an educated consumer beneath its waterproof canopy.  

Every day it seems a new designer has decidedly gone green, throughout both their structure of silhouette and manufacturing choices. Edith A. Miller, H&M, Stella McCartney, Costello Tagliapietra, Target, and a host of others are all participating in the sustainable fashion movement to various degrees. 

Natalie Portman, Bono, Alicia Silverstone, and Adrian Grenier are celebrities supporting environmentally conscious designers. A self described, "lover of nature, and advocate for people and their environment," model-turned-author-turned-activist Summer Rayne Oakes has made it her mission to promote and educate others on eco-practices throughout the industry. Need more fashionably sustainable ammo? 

Designer Carrie Parry launched her own label this year and is entirely dedicated to the sustainable process. Getting her start at Marc Jacobs, Norma Kamali, and doing costume for Oscar winning film Memoirs of a Geisha, Parry has the technical chops to keep her designs fresh. By manufacturing her pieces locally in New York's Garment District and utilizing environmentally conscious textiles she is able to reduce the brands carbon footprint. Carrie has even chosen to dedicate herself a step further, and is actively pursuing a graduate degree in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business at the University of Delaware.

       Photographer Pari Dukovic has been documenting Duckie Brown founders Steven Cox and Daniel Silver for the better part of the past two years; these stunning black and white shots are the result, giving a behind the scenes look at the Duckie Brown fashion shows dating back to 2009. 

AFINGO Fashion Forum New York, packaged for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

As we get ready for AFINGO Fashion Forum Las Vegas, we'd like to take you back to our first Forum of 2011 held this past April in New York. With an introduction from the AFINGO team, this Fashion Forum New York highlight video will give you a brief look into the highly influential panels and guests we bring to our exclusive events, not to mention a glimpse of the great time that was had by all.

    The magazine world is no stranger to strategic licensing. At the helm of what some call “a dying industry” the print world has pushed itself into a variety of outlets to further reach their audience, and gain revenue to stay afloat. Lucky paired with daily designer discount site Hautelook to offer specials recommended from Lucky editors, even offering discounts on subscriptions for Hautelook users.

While Gilt Groupe has partnered with Condé Nast publications in the past, (Vogue and Condé Nast Traveler), the newly announced union with men’s magazine GQ redefines E-commerce for print. Starting with its September issue, items from the magazine will link directly to Gilt’s newest site Parkandbond.com. Essentially, readers will be able to shop directly from glossy magazine pages, to a user-friendly site. Similarly Hearst owned and GQ competitor Esquire is slated to join with Cladmen.com in a similar partnership. This is all fine and dandy but how does this apply to the growth of your business?

Joining forces with a company holding your target market may be the key to reaching audiences across industries. Take heed however, marriage isn’t the only entity you’re stuck with for better or worse. Choose carefully. Ask yourself the basics and then some. Does this company align with my brand’s values? Does their mission mirror mine? What’s the public opinion on said association? Have they joined forces before, if so was it a success or a failure? What are they expecting from my company? Clearly this isn’t all you need to ponder, but do your homework, and take one partnership at a time to start. Most importantly, don’t count on this endeavor to be 100% of your revenue. Not only may you overlook upcoming opportunities, you could lose your brand’s identity in the process.

       Protecting your intellectual and design property is not just important, but almost a necessity in today’s global marketplace. No one knows this better than Tory Burch who recently won $164 million against cybersquatters selling counterfeit goods of her epynonymous brand.  Though Tory Burch experienced a loss in revenue the suit wasn’t really about the financials.