Earlier this year in one of my posts I spoke about a wonderful opportunity I had in attending the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Week WGSN Edit: 10 Global Issues that Count in 2010. It was all a big thanks to iSpyStyle and for attending their first Fashion Careers Workshop (as part of the LMFF Cultural Program) held at the Whitehouse Institute of Design on Bourke St.
iSpyStyle Fashion Workshop is about being inspired, informed and connected with others in the fashion industry. It is also a great opportunity to gain some professional insight from industry experts, and is the perfect marketplace to network with other creatives.
(Me and friends from Stylehunter, and JacintaCatherine)
The workshop was divided into two sessions: Session 1 – Creative Careers in Fashion (Design, Styling and Visual Merchandising); and Session 2 – Business Careers in Fashion (PR, Marketing, Media and Production and Events). I decided to attend both sessions as I was really excited by the impressive line-up of speakers throughout the day! The speakers were:
Cathryn Wills (Creative Director, Mimco), Philip Boon (Celebrity Stylist, StylistSays), Aimee McCallum (Freelance VM of ‘Husk Stores’), Jade Roberts (PR Manager, Sportsgirl), Rachel Tuffery (Director, Pronto Productions), and Kate McKibben (Managing Editor, Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily).
Jade Roberts (PR Manager, Sportsgirl), Rachel Tuffery (Director,Pronto Productions), and Kate McKibben (Managing Editor, Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily).
Each speaker introduced themselves and spoke about their career paths and experiences that has taken them to where they are today. They provided realistic industry tips and advice regarding education, resumes and CVs, how to approach companies to gain work experience (and how ‘not to’), and networking tools and fashion resources.
The workshop was run and hosted by Kate Vandermeer, Senior Spy and Director of iSpyStyle – which is a creative collaboration network for the Design Industry. Kate possesses over 10 years experience in the fashion industry in a variety of areas such as Trend Forecasting, Design and Development, Marketing, Branding,Visual Merchandising and Online, and is undoubtedly a well-known figure throughout the Australian fashion scene. She was also the co-founder of the online fashion magazine Stylehunter, and currently writes for WGSN and lectures at the Whitehouse Institute of Design among a whole list of other freelance projects and activities!
(Kate Vandermeer, Director of iSpyStyle)
The workshop covered a lot of important topics and answered a myriad of questions regarding a career in the fashion industry – whether you’re a graduate, a small business, or if you’re considering a change in career.
(me and Kate Vandermeer)
The exciting news is that iSpyStyle is holding another Fashion Career Workshop with another impressive line-up and this time, they are part of the official business program of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2010. Speakers include: Arabella Ramsay (Designer and Director, Arabella Ramsay), Romy Frydman (Creator, StyleMeRomy), and Amander Henderson (Director and Founder, Gloss Creative). But wait, there’s more!
iSpyStyle is also launching its first iSpyStyle Fashion Marketing Bootcamp Workshop, which is about arming emerging designers, students looking at starting up their own label, and small fashion brands/labels with the right tools to succeed in the fashion industry! Speakers include: Karen Rieschieck (Buyer, Alice Euphemia) and Trish Nicol (PR, Trish Nicol Agency), who will be covering topics such as: dealing with Media and PR; and ways to approach wholesale buyers; website, social media and e-commerce solutions.
Both events will be held on Saturday 4th September 2010 at Melbourne International Fine Art (MiFA) on Collins Street, and tickets are available now here. Check out iSpyStyle for more information and learn more about Kate Vandermeer here.
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