As I was checking my daily emails I noticed an invite in my inbox to attend a conversation with Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America to be facilitated by Ms. Brandice Henderson of Harlem Fashion Row. I immediately RSVP’ed for two and cleared my calendar.
Harlem Fashion Row has hosted such fashion powers brokers as Harriet Cole and Stephen Burrows, to name a few. I was super excited to attend and hear what Mr. Kolb had to say. Held at the Schomburg Library in Harlem, NY (which I thought was only fitting) sat some of the most influential fashion people in the industry such as Bevy Smith, Phillip Bloch, Tracy Reese, Michaela Angela Davis, Fern Mallis, Ope, Anitra Michelle of Plutocracy, Sue Monderson of Chouchounette Inc, Zandile Blay and Memsor Kamarake.
The time seemed to speed by as Mr. Kolb was very candid with his answers and Ms. Henderson asked the questions that we all wanted to know. The mentor/mentee relationship was discussed and Mr. Kolb says that before you go out on your own you should work for someone else for at least 7 years and pay your dues; learn all you can to be a success when you strike out on your own. Another point that was discussed was the fact that American designers have found a balance between fashion as an art form and fashion as commerce. Simply put – your clothes have to sell or you’ll be out of business. I thought of all the lines that I’ve seen that have left me speechless and pondering who could ever wear this?
I walked away with a greater appreciation of the industry that I work in, love and invaluable information. Harlem Fashion Row, keep up the good work!
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