Speaker Bios Room 1C03

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Kerry Harrell
5 years ago
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Louis Gerin & Gregory Lamaud Louis Gerin & Gregory Lamaud both graduates of ESMOD Fashion Design School are the owners and creators of 2G2L FashionDesign & Consulting.

Their trend table, composed of stylists, designers, graphic designers and writers offers each season an authentic and original overview of tomorrow s inspirational currents.

1 Louis Gerin & Gregory Lamaud Louis Gerin & Gregory Lamaud both graduates of ESMOD Fashion Design School are the owners and creators of 2G2L FashionDesign & Consulting. As Paris Art Directors, they are responsible for creating the Texworld Trend Forums in New York, Paris and Istanbul. Their trend table, composed of stylists, designers, graphic designers and writers offers each season an authentic and original overview of tomorrow s inspirational currents. Their exclusive method combines sociological studies, marketing approaches and creative development. Louise Brooks Louise Brooks is the founder and manager of the Wearable Electronics Systems Department at Vorbeck and has pioneered the development of Vorbeck s washable printed electronic products. She is an experienced product developer and has taken numerous wearable products from concept to commercialization, with a focus on functionally integrating emerging technologies with existing manufacturing resources. She has lead the company to awards such as the Under Armour Innovation Challenge and is responsible for new business development. Louise earned a BS in Physics Engineering and French Language at Washington and Lee University, while concentrating in research of miscible and immiscible polymers for light weight construction materials Colin Touhey Colin Touhey is the CEO and founder of Pvilion, a solar technology development firm in NYC. Pvilion started in 2011 integrating solar cells and fabrics, manufacturing tents that produce electricity. Combining aesthetics and functionality, Pvilion specializes in the design and sales of lightweight, beautiful products. Mr. Touhey s experience in design, engineering, production, and sales, helps the team integrate all of the elements of a complex business. Before founding Pvilion, Mr. Touhey attended Phillips Academy Andover and Trinity College, where he studied Electrical Engineering. He won the Theodore Blakeslee Award for Electrical Engineering and was awarded a NASA grant for his design of underwater power-generating turbines. He is also the founder of Foray, a medical design firm, and CitySeat, a custom bike accessories line. Karla Magruder Karla Magruder has been in the textile industry for more than 25 years with global experience ranging from fibers through finished garments. Currently President of Fabrikology International, a textile consulting firm, specializing in textile sourcing, education and business development. Clients have included technology suppliers, finishing companies, NGOs, brands and retailers. Recent work at Fabrikology includes textile R&D and sourcing, organizing and managing product development teams, setting fabric specifications and developing tradeshow presentations. Karla worked previously with companies such as Asics Tiger Corporation, Burlington Industries and Cargill Dow. She has been a Contributing Editor for Textile Insight since its first issue.

2 Arthur Friedman Arthur Friedman is a senior editor for textiles and trade at Women s Wear Daily, covering and overseeing WWD s coverage of the global apparel, manufacturing and sourcing, as well as fabrics and sustainability. In his 24 years at WWD, Arthur has gained extensive experience in the complexities and nuances of the fashion industry, which in addition to his current responsibilities has included ready-to-wear, sportswear, accessories and activewear, as well as labor-management relations. Arthur is also an adjunct professor of history at Montclair State University, from where he received his Masters degree in U.S. History. Fran Sude Fran Sude wakes up every morning thankful for everything good in her life. She has loved her work from day one. Frankly, she says, it doesn t feel like a job, but more like a passion. Fran was born and raised in New York, which has benefited her greatly in terms of her sense of style and love of both the apparel and home markets. Seeking opportunities that were more open to her talents, Fran left New York and moved to Los Angeles. Of course, the weather and a less constricting working environment were key in her decision to move! Her history includes working for some of the top manufacturers in Los Angeles in the junior, contemporary and missy markets. Fran worked her way up to the head of sales and merchandising for the top dress house in the Late 1970s. She was the junior buyer for Frederick Atkins buying office, which gave her a keen sense of the importance price points make in the sale of a product. Throughout her career the one thing Fran has always loved is the use of color in garments: woven and knit, solid and printed. She opened a 2 piece career dressing business and was responsible for re-coloring prints customized for each order. It was a very successful endeavor! Feeling that there was more that could be done to inspire designers, Fran took her passion for the business of color and founded Design Options, Inc. in For over 20 years clients have come to Design Options for color direction best suited for their market, fabrication and season. Whether it s an upcoming color, style, detail, or fabric, Fran is known for having an excellent eye for the hottest trends. Clients come back season after season for one reason: because what she projects, sells at retail! Mercedes R. Gonzalez Thirteen years ago, Mercedes R. Gonzalez founded and remains director of the fashion industry consulting firm Global Purchasing Companies. Her understanding of the business of fashion began at age 14 when she worked every summer for her uncle s manufacturing company in the heart of NYC s garment district. After earning an economics degree from New York University, she went back to work full time with her uncle where she changed the operation of the company by moving production overseas, streamlining the company, and ensuring a stronger bottom line. Today, Mercedes works with designers to build competitive strategies that are the foundations to launching their design ideas Regularly featured in industry publications. Mercedes also teaches workshops on successfully starting a fashion line in today s market at trade shows, and at regional and international fashion weeks. She sits on the board of the Fashion Merchandising Department at two US universities and is invited around the world to speak to designers, retailers, and manufacturers from Chile to China.

Carol has an extensive background in retail, product development, and fashion direction in Menswear, Women s, Children s and Home.

3 Carol Meek Carol Meek is owner of the color and trend forecasting company Color Portfolio, Inc. She is the creative force behind the company and brings with her over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. Carol has an extensive background in retail, product development, and fashion direction in Menswear, Women s, Children s and Home. She has worked in the American, European, Asian and South American markets. Carol brings her expertise and background to Color Portfolio creating one of the most successful color and trend companies in the United States. Carol understands the current market place, future trends, and the critical needs of today s manufacturers and retailers. She is a featured speaker at important trade shows such as Texworld USA, Direction by Indigo and Print Source. Michelle Lee Michelle Lee is the Director of The Americas at The Woolmark Company. Michelle was appointed to the role in July 2012 and leads the strategy, operations and marketing of the company s Americas region. She has a background in international corporate, government and financial communications and previously worked at leading international corporate communications group, Brunswick Group, in their New York office. There she advised a range of Fortune 500 companies on issues including corporate reputation, crisis management, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and media strategy. Previously Michelle was Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs for the Australian Consulate General in New York. There her role focused on promoting trade and investment in Australia. Michelle has an M.B.A in international business from Case Western Reserve University and a B.A. in journalism from Queensland University of Technology. Buxton Midyette Buxton Midyette is the Vice President of Marketing in the New York office for Supima, the promotional brand of the U.S. Pima cotton industry. Buxton has been at Supima since 2002 and has over 25 years of experience in the fiber industry. His background includes working as a Strategy Consultant specializing in the retail and apparel for Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA). Previous to working at KSA, Buxton was the Director of Latin American Operations for the U.S. cotton industry. Buxton has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics and Latin American Studies from the University of North Carolina, Chapel

the textile industry. She has over 15 years of experience working with retail, including 10 years as a product manager at Mountain Equipment Co-op where she converted their cotton program to organic.

4 Anne Gillespie Anne is the Director of Industry Integrity for Textile Exchange. She is responsible for standard development, training and education on certification and transparency, and collaborates with other organizations and experts to continually increase the integrity of the textile industry. She has over 15 years of experience working with retail, including 10 years as a product manager at Mountain Equipment Co-op where she converted their cotton program to organic. In 2003 she founded Agility Consulting, helping companies from all parts of the supply chain and the world to work effectively with organic cotton. Ruchira Soshi Ruchira has been with BCI since 2010 and is responsible for member recruitment, member services and ensuring an increased uptake of Better Cotton globally. This includes all BCI work on supply chain engagement, training and traceability. Previously, she led Better Cotton implementation in China, India, and Pakistan as well. Prior to BCI, Ruchira worked as a senior consultant in Price Waterhouse Cooper s Sustainability & Climate Change team in London, focusing on agricultural commodities sourcing for major food and beverage companies, large fund management and facilitating public-private partnerships. Clients included SABMiller, The Coca-Cola Company, Shell Foundation, DFID, and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Ruchira has a master s degree in International Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, and a BA in Economics and International Relations from Knox College in the US. Mary Marino Mary Marino, Director-North America, Aid by Trade Foundation (AbFT) is a fashion executive with longtime experience in the U.S. apparel and textile market. Her responsibility is to advise the Hamburg based foundation on collaborations with U.S. apparel, footwear and home goods companies. The foundation s Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative is based on the principle of a social business strategy by improving the quality of life for smallholder cotton farmers in Africa through sustainable cotton production. By activating market forces, AbTF enables textile companies and finished goods manufacturers to integrate CmiA cotton into their product design and development with a profit oriented global market approach and Duty-Free sourcing opportunities. Jeffrey Kreidel Jeffrey has been an elite executive in the apparel industry for more than thirty years, collaborating with and consulting top retailers and brands all over the world. Having cultivated an expertise in sales, merchandising and product development, he has led five companies to profitability in challenging retail environments. For the last 11 years, he has focused his energy on direct sales from Asia based factories to leading retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. At Pearl Global Industries, Mr. Kreindel is responsible for strategically sourcing woven and knit products for Women s, Men s, and Kids, and has a wealth of hands-on experience producing garments in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. As a result of his industry wide reputation, he is in high demand on the lecture circuit, and regularly makes presentations to key clients each season highlighting new style and fabric trends. He also frequently visits Pearl factories and offices in India, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.

Sylvia Reyes Sylvia Reyes is the Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Director at Proexport Colombia, the Colombian Government Trade Bureau. From her office in New York City, Mrs.

Sylvia s remarkable experience includes the execution of export plans to help the Colombian industry to enter into the USA.

having accomplished three degrees in the field.

5 Sylvia Reyes Sylvia Reyes is the Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Director at Proexport Colombia, the Colombian Government Trade Bureau. From her office in New York City, Mrs. Reyes is strengthening business opportunities with the US market and the Colombian industry after the signing and implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between both countries. Sylvia s remarkable experience includes the execution of export plans to help the Colombian industry to enter into the USA. She has been involved in different paths of development related to International Relations and Trade in Colombia and abroad after completing specialization in trade and international relations and having accomplished three degrees in the field. Her publications include more than two papers in International Science Journals based on the last 10 years of Textiles Trade between the United States and Colombia. Mrs. Reyes has been appointed as Director for Commercial Information in Proexport Colombia to help to coordinate the strategy, studies, and preparation for the Free Trade Agreements signed with Canada, Switzerland, United States and Central America and those to be signed with the European Union and Korea. Edward Hertzman Edward Hertzman received a degree in economics from NYU and then spent more than a decade working as a top executive for major sourcing companies all over the world, including Synergies Worldwide and Pearl Global. He has partnered with globally recognized retailers and wholesalers all over the world with special expertise in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and China. He continues to consult widely on sourcing and supply chain matters. Edward sits on the Leadership Board for Fashion Delivers, a charitable organization that channels the resources of the fashion industry to those in need. In 2009, in response to a gaping need in the industry, he founded Sourcing Journal Online. With more than 50,000 subscribers, Sourcing Journal Online is the largest trade journal devoted to the sourcing apparel and textile industry supply chain in the world. Laurie Pressman In her role as Vice President at Pantone, Laurie Pressman is responsible for creating the strategic vision and developing the marketing platform for Pantone s fashion, home, and interiors division on an international basis. With over 20 years experience in product development and merchandising for the fashion and home furnishings markets, Laurie recognizes that color is an intrinsic part of the visual experience and plays a significant role in consumer purchasing decisions. Laurie is involved in the development of Pantone s color forecasting products, is the managing editor of TONES (Pantone s color newsletter), sits on the board of the Home Products division at the Fashion Institute Technology, is a vice-chairman of the color standards committee for the Color Marketing Group, and has most recently joined the fashion advisory board of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Katharyn Bond Katharyn Bond is co-founder of the Fashion Law Studio, an online platform that offers friendly, easy-to-understand legal seminars to emerging designers and small brands to help them

6 Katharyn Bond Katharyn Bond is co-founder of the Fashion Law Studio, an online platform that offers friendly, easy-to-understand legal seminars to emerging designers and small brands to help them launch, produce, distribute, and protect their fashion businesses. She and her co-founder Nima Katz are on a mission to empower fashion designers through legal education. She is also an emerging designer and is launching her own fashion line, KAT BOND, stylish women s clothing to wear after exercise. As Of Counsel to Nima Katz Law, a boutique New York law firm that specializes in representing fashion designers and filmmakers in fashion, entertainment, intellectual property and general corporate matters. In May 2014, Katharyn completed the Fashion Law Institute Fashion Bootcamp offered by the Fordham University School of Law, one of the only fashion law programs offered in the United States. Katharyn received her JD from Hastings College of the Law, and clerked at the United States District Court, N.D. California to the Honorable Maria-Elena James, U.S. Magistrate Judge. She has a B.A. in Mass Communications and in Social Science from the University of California, at Berkeley. She is admitted to the California State Bar. Tricia Carey Tricia Carey - With a Bachelor s degree in Fashion Merchandising from Marywood University and Associate s degree in Textiles from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Tricia has held positions in fabric sales and development. Over fourteen years ago she started with Courtaulds Fibers in New York City as Apparel Merchandising Manager for TENCEL. acquired Tencel Inc in 2004 and Tricia continued her role in downstream marketing for the apparel market. Her global sourcing experience assists brands and retailers to evaluate supply chains and realize effective means of using. Tricia is Vice-Chair at Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of sustainable textiles. She is also a member of Underfashion Club and Fashion Group International. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside with her family and two young children who keep her laughing Erin Kent Erin Kent is the Manager of s at The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to strengthen the influence and success of American fashion designers in the global economy. Erin manages the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative, a $3 million public-private investment fund created to nurture, elevate, and preserve garment production in New York City, ultimately connecting fashion designers to local manufacturing. Erin also oversees the CFDA Membership Admissions process, as well as the New York market week schedules. Erin comes from a marketing background, and studied Economics and Communications at the University of Delaware.

Michelle Feinberg Michelle Feinberg has been working in the Garment Center since 1989.

of the embellishment business from bobbin making to payroll. Manhattan Scalloping went out of business and the machinery and equipment was taken over by Mona Slide Fasteners.

7 Michelle Feinberg Michelle Feinberg has been working in the Garment Center since After graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology with degree in design, her first job in the industry was at Manhattan Scalloping as an embellishment designer where she learned every aspect of the embellishment business from bobbin making to payroll. Manhattan Scalloping went out of business and the machinery and equipment was taken over by Mona Slide Fasteners. Michelle joined Mona Slide and worked with Joel for eight years until he relocated his business to the Bronx. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to venture out on her own and stay in the Garment Center where she felt she was meant to be. She took a space in 347 W. 36th Street and has been on 36th Street ever since! New York Embroidery Studio has become the go -to factory in the Garment Center for full stop trim and embellishment. Their client base consists of many designers who retail at varying price points. Their services include embroidery, laser cutting, hand beading, novelty stitching, bonnaz embroidery, 3D printing and so much more. Over the last few years, Michelle has expanded her business from a technology aspect. This has now allowed the company to combine old world techniques with new cutting edge design. Michelle has dedicated her whole life to this business, she has created something very special and she commits every moment to her business and her customers. Michelle s family is the biggest and most important part of everything she works towards. She has two boys ages 13 & 11 with her life partner Lois, who is a constant source of support and encouragement for her. Eric Johnson Eric is the Director of Fashion/Retail within NYCEDC s Center for Economic Transformation where he oversees the City s efforts to support and grow NYC s $98B fashion industry. Eric has more than 6 years of experience developing sector-level initiatives to help NYC maintain its status as the worldwide fashion capital. Currently, he is leading a longterm strategic review of the industry to examine the challenges facing the fashion industry over the next years and to develop programs to address those issues. Prior to joining NYCEDC, Eric worked at Chicago-area healthcare intelligence and consulting firm, Sg2, where he served as cancer and surgical technology analyst as well as client services manager to over 15 major hospital systems. Eric graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

My Texworld. January 2014 Seminar Speaker Bios. January 21 23, 2014 Javits Convention Center New York, NY. Co-located with ApparelSourcing

My Texworld. January 2014 Seminar Speaker Bios. January 21 23, 2014 Javits Convention Center New York, NY. Co-located with ApparelSourcing The largest apparel fabrics show in North America January 21 23, 2014 Javits Convention Center New York, NY NEW YORK My Texworld January 2014 Seminar Speaker Bios Co-located with ApparelSourcing NEW YORK