Magic Seminar Series Sponsored by ebay

Over the past four years, the industry has had to adjust to a “perfect storm” of issues – increases in labor, material and energy costs; increased federal, state and international regulatory and trade compliance; and significant changes in consumer demand and buying habits. While in-put prices rise, retail/brand margins must be maintained. On-hand and pipeline inventories have been adjusted down to meet the consumer demand of having the “right product at the right time.” All of this has resulted in a “New Normal” of doing business.

Here, a distinguished panel discusses how their companies are adjusting to this “New Normal” and examines sourcing options, worldwide, to extend apparel and footwear production beyond China, and define a competitive advantage for a changing market.

MODERATOR:

Rick Horwitch, VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BUREAU VERITAS

PANELISTS:

Liisa Pierce Fiedelholtz, SENIOR VP, SOURCING, ANN INC.

Mark Fegley, SENIOR VP SUPPLY CHAIN, DECKERS OUTDOOR CORPORATION

Bill McRaith, CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER, GLOBAL SOURCING, PVH

Tom Travis, MANAGING PARTNER, SANDLER, TRAVIS & ROSENBERG, P.A.

Digital commerce and omni-channel marketing are the greatest growth sectors for our industry. This crucial conversation explores how counterfeiters take advantage of consumer search patterns to sow confusion and lure shoppers to sites selling counterfeits, along with providing pragmatic advice from brand protection practitioners on how to stem the tide of lost revenue and increased costs. 

MODERATOR:

Frederick Felman, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MARKMONITOR

PANELISTS:

Deborah Greaves, GENERAL COUNSEL, TRUE RELIGION BRAND JEANS

Daniel McKinnon, SENIOR TRADEMARK COUNSEL, NEW BALANCE

Brian Winterfeldt, PARTNER, STEPTOE & JOHNSON, LLP

Trend expert Lilly Berelovich reviews the major callouts for Spring/Summer 2014 including key themes, materials, shapes, patterns and accessories, plus must-have colors, harmonies and emersion from fall. Note: Trends reviewed in this seminar are featured at SOURCING’s Trend Gallery, created by Fashion Snoops.

SPEAKER:

Lilly Berelovich, FOUNDER AND CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, FASHION SNOOPS

From assortment strategies to business-boosting tips, industry giants Karen Giberson, president of the Accessories Council, and Emily Blumenthal, founder of HBDNetwork and the Independent Handbag Designer Awards, present a panoramic view of today's accessories marketplace, leaving attendees fully informed regarding next steps for the seasons to come: Established versus unknown designers? What’s right for individual businesses? What percentage should be allotted to an accessories budget? What type of displays are necessary? And what are the basic fixtures needed?

SPEAKERS:

Emily Blumenthal, AUTHOR, HANDBAG DESIGNER 101 and Founder, HBDNETWORK and the INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDS

Karen Giberson, PRESIDENT, ACCESSORIES COUNCIL

A utilitarian fabric first produced in the 1700s in Genoa, Italy, denim has become the star of the fashion industry. Here, denim experts discuss this style mainstay — from the new and innovative ways U.S. and worldwide denim brands are sourcing, to new production methods that support the environment and new fibers with special qualities, as well as how denim companies are branding their products to capture today’s consumers.

MODERATOR:

Barbara Ende, PRESIDENT, SYCAMORE MARKETING GROUP, INC.

PANELISTS:

Andréa Bernholtz, CO-FOUNDER AND FORMER PRESIDENT, ROCK & REPUBLIC and FOUNDING PARTNER, BRAND AID INC.

Enrique Silla, FOUNDER, JEANOLOGIA and MANAGING DIRECTOR, EUROTREND

Stefano Aldighieri, PRESIDENT, ANOTHER DESIGN STUDIO

Luen Thai USA president Rick Helfenbein leads an entertaining journey through Asia, Latin America and Europe, reflecting on the opportunities for today’s apparel and accessories executives, and inspiring with the story of one company’s break with tradition that turned a small factory into a $1 billion global giant. A must for those who start small and think big, and for those looking toward the future of our industry.

OPENING REMARKS BY:  

Kevin Burke, CEO, AMERICAN APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR ASSOCIATION (AAFA)

KEYNOTE PRESENTER: 

Rick Helfenbein, PRESIDENT, LUEN THAI USA

Licensing and fashion insiders share key strategies, requirements and opportunities to help expand your brand’s global footprint through licensing partnerships, collaborations and product category expansion. Learn how to successfully maneuver into the $40 billion fashion licensing industry regardless of your company's size and how to develop a network of global partners to help bring your business to the next level.

MODERATOR:

Ilse Metchek, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE CALIFORNIA FASHION ASSOCIATION

PANELISTS:

Rick Cytrynbaum, CEO, MODERN VINTAGE/HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960

Chris DeMoulin, PRESIDENT, LICENSING ADVANSTAR

Monte Henige, CEO, TRU FRAGRANCE

Todd Kaufman, DIRECTOR BRAND MANAGEMENT, BEANSTALK 

Staci Riordan, ATTORNEY, FOX ROTHSCHILD   

Derived from the eight-hour workshop, a one-hour crash course detailing the most important factors retailers didn't know they needed to know, while helping stores sidestep the stumbling blocks that cause 9 out of 10 new retailers to fold within the first year.

SPEAKER:

Mercedes Gonzalez, DIRECTOR, GLOBAL PURCHASING COMPANIES

A realistic overview of what's working and what's not when it comes to getting product off the shelf and into the mainstream marketplace -- from the viewpoints of manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer and anyone else involved in the supply chain. 

SPEAKERS:

Pat Devaney, VP, STELLA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Cliff Sifford, CEO, President and CMO, SHOE CARNIVAL

Tom Romeo, Owner, BEARPAW

Abe Rogowski, Owner, SHOE PARLOR 

With President Obama focused on trade negotiations and new agreements that will play an important part in the apparel sourcing supply chain, industry experts examine the ins and outs of the current Administration’s position: Where are we with ongoing negotiations like the Trans-Pacific Partnership? What will affect sourcing decisions? Are there new agreements in the air?

MODERATOR:

Julie Hughes, PRESIDENT U.S. ASSOCIATION OF IMPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL

PANELISTS:

Gail Strickler, ASSISTANT U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Mark Jaeger, SENIOR VP SENIOR VP GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY, JOCKEY INTERNATIONAL

A crucial look at the legal information necessary to do business today: the important role of trademarks in protecting brands in the U.S. and abroad, the penalties within various states’ Transparency in Supply Chain Acts, looking at licensing deals to expand your market and the legal ramifications within employee and contractual relationships that surround even social media.

MODERATOR:    

Ilse Metchek, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA FASHION ASSOCIATION (CFA) 

PANELISTS:

Craig Morris, MANAGING ATTORNEY, TRADEMARK OUTREACH, UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Suzanne White, ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL, COACH

Scott Shaw, ATTORNEY, CALL & JENSEN

Innovation is the key to success in the 21^st century, and nowhere is the impact being felt more than along the fashion supply chain. From the desks of designers and product development teams, to the factory floor, the retailer and today’s digital consumer, this session provides an overview of the new technology innovations impacting the fashion supply chain and helping companies create and sell fashion to China and the world — shared via case studies straight from industry experts.

MODERATOR:

Will Duncan, VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, (TC)2

PANELISTS:

Joe Walkuski, FOUNDER and CEO, TEXBASE

Dr. Mike Fralix, PRESIDENT and CEO, (TC)2

Justin Chen, PRESIDENT and CEO, SHININGHUB.COM

From top London trend forecaster Trendstop.com, a delve into upcoming sportswear and contemporary buying directions: a summary of definitive Fall/Winter 2013-14 trends; a first look at Spring/Summer 2014 and Fall 2014-15 colors, themes and key products; and adapting trends to the target audience — conveyed in a clear and concise visual shopping-list format. Note: Presentation covers womenswear and menswear.

SPEAKER:

Janna Jatyri, CEO, TRENDSTOP

A revealing roundup of the shocking facts nobody talks about, along with a list of pros and cons to help succeed in the e-commerce fashion sphere.

SPEAKER:

Mercedes Gonzalez, DIRECTOR, GLOBAL PURCHASING COMPANIES