2007 March April May Volume 2, Number 4 In This Issue Message from your Regional Director FGI Dallas Upcoming Events FGI FYI Recap FGI Wish List Job Bank FGI Dallas Sponsors About Fashion Group International Contact Us Fgidallas-staff@sbcglobal.net 214-634-0204 Message from your Regional Director Dear FGI of Dallas Members and Friends: It is with deep regret that I inform you that Maggie McQuown has stepped down as Regional Director. Maggie s new position as Development Director of Black Tie Dinner, Inc. has taken a good share of her time and with much thought, decided that her resignation would better serve Fashion Group at this time. Maggie has been a wonderful leader and mentor to many of us and we are sad to loose her as RD but we know that she will remain involved in our projects as we move forward. As Regional Director-Elect, I have now assumed the position of Regional Director. Remembering that FGI is a professional organization created for the purpose of networking and education in the fashion and lifestyle industries, I look forward to your participation in our mixers, programs and this year s Rising Star Gala. Marie Conners-Lavigne Regional Director Executive Members Meko King - Flair for Fashion Brenda Meloy - Link Artist Resources Mara Farr - JC Penney Joanne Snodgrass - VIA Pelle Betty Boettenheimer - Babco Alden Clanahan - Dallas Market Center Cindy Mahan - Dallas Market Center Alison Janson - Designworks of Dallas Serena Cole - Duxiana Vivian Wynn - Vivian s Fashion Teresa Chang - Brands 88 Gary McDonald Marie Byrd - Interior Designer Danielle Davidson Teylor and Taylor Cynthia Hawkins - Lady MacBeth Designs Ashley Gage - Fashion Industry Gallery Associate Members Lakisha Bivins Dillards Kacy Jones Kacy Jones Graphic Design Ronit Singer - Meridian Sourcing & Design Mari Hidalgo - Freelance Stylist Elizabeth Bracken - JC Penney John Macready - FGI Dallas Katherine Campesi - Neiman Marcus Student Members Ashley Kellum - Wade College Christina Quintanilla - Art Institute of Dallas
Each Month Fashion Group International of Dallas hosts programs, mixers and events. Please join us! June 2007 Membership Mixer Trader Vic s Lounge - Outside The Palomar Hotel June 26-6:00pm-8:00pm July 2007 The Boutique Business Presentation by Ort Varona Location: LFT at Victory Park - Date and Time: TBA July 2007 FGI Neiman Marcus Membership Mixer July 10 - Location and Time: TBA August 2007 Going Green - Panel Discussion Mike Farid - B Green Apparel & Nature USA Francois Kock - Green Architect Location, Date and Time: TBA September 2007 Fall/Winter Best Bets Fashion Group Trend Report Location, Date and Time: TBA Michael Faircloth Exhibit & Networking Mixer September 20 at Fashion on Main FGI of Dallas & The Fashionistas Private Preview - 6:00pm-7:00pm Grand Opening Party - 7:00pm 8:00pm October 2007 Balance Your Home, Balance Your Life Location, Date and Time: TBA November 2007 The 7 th Annual Rising Star Awards Gala November 9 th - Hotel Palomar - 7:30pm 2007 FGI International Conference Sydney, Australia Visit our website for more information December 2007 Holiday Party Location, Date and Time: TBA
**FGI OF DALLAS HAS A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS** fgidallas-staff@sbcglobal.net FGI of Dallas is now accepting merchandise to be auctioned at the 32 nd Dallas Fashion Awards Gala. The items you donate will be viewed by over 700 of the nation s top showrooms, manufacturers and retailers as well as members of the press. This is a great opportunity to display your merchandise to this exclusive audience while supporting our foundation. All proceeds from the silent auction go toward Career Day, our educational outreach program, and you will receive recognition in the DFA program for your tax-deductible donation. Your sponsorship contribution helps Fashion Group International realize our goal to support our 501C3 foundation through Career Day scholarships. All items must have a retail value of $100 or more. Items that create excitement at the auction tables and top bids include: wine gift baskets / spa baskets restaurant gift certificates artwork children's gifts & clothing Holiday gift items one-of-a-kind items Donation deadline is September 20, 2007. To donate merchandise to the Silent Auction please contact: fgidallas-staff@sbcglobal.net 214-634-0204
David Wolfe Trends: Spring 2008 David Wolfe, Creative Director at The Doneger Group, once again entertained and informed an audience of FGI members, students and guests. David used the idea of change to frame his presentation. He emphasized the importance of charting the fashion of the past and how it is manifesting in the changing fashion of the present. Drawing on his previous theme of The Return of Style David demonstrated how the flashy and trashy look of the past is giving way to the subtle and sophisticated look of the present. What was once embellished and trimmed will now be plain and simple. Audrey Hepburn is still the paragon of this return of style and we will see her classic minimalism marking the collections of many designers in Spring 2008. David noted that business is also changing. Consumers are moving to a buy-now-wearnow mentality which allows for a constant flow of merchandise. The traditional big seasons are giving way to smaller niche seasons which allow manufactures to keep a constant flow of new merchandise in stores for consumers. The shopping experience is also changing. Atmosphere and ambiance are everything to consumers. David emphasized the importance of providing the consumer with a quality experience as well as quality merchandise. The recycling of the past was a dominating theme of David s presentation. The 40s, 60s, and 80s are staged for a comeback. Even the Preppy look will be making a comeback! The color palette will include an expanded palette of neutrals and neutralized pastels. Geometric and floral prints will garnish fabrics and the spring bling will be shimmering metallic fabrics. The shape of spring will remain skinny at times but more and more awayfrom-the-body styles will emerge. Holly Haber, Women s Wear Daily, Susanne Taylor, FGI District Director, and Marie Conners-Lavigne, FGI Dallas Regional Director
Shirley Reichstadt, Pat Godo, Terri Tomlinson, and Charman Estilette Career Day 2007: Style Symposium Nearly 1,100 students and faculty gathered in Dallas on April 20 th for the 39 th Annual Career Day 2007. Over $30,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded. Two scholarships to study in Paris, valued at nearly $10,000, were presented by the Paris American Academy to Miyoko Walton of Texas Woman s University and Dandi Rossen of University of North Texas. Kenneth Cole Reaction collaborated with DAVACO, Inc. to create a Merchandising Excellence Competition this year that gave students a real-world merchandising assignment to submit recommended solutions via concept boards. Rebecca Ranae Arevalo of Texas A&M University Kingsville won first place and Alice Weng of El Centro Community College won 2 nd place.
Keynote Addresses were given by Dallas Designer, Michael Faircloth and Wende Zomnir, Executive Creative Director of Urban Decay Cosmetics and University of North Texas Alumni. 14 Educational Seminars were presented by Dallas industry leaders throughout the day. A Career Resources Exhibition was offered for students to learn about internships and job opportunities and submit their resumes to corporate recruiters including JC Penney, Nordstrom, Elle Jewelry & Watches, DAVACO, Inc., Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus Direct. Career Day culminated with a Fashion Show, produced by Jan Strimple, featuring the Student Design Competition garments in The Grand Pavilion of the Trade Mart at the World Trade Center. FGI Board Retreat 2007 The 2007 Board of Directors for Fashion Group International of Dallas gathered at the Telos Athletic Center on May 19 th for its annual board retreat. The retreat was delightfully creative and focused on the future of Fashion Group International of Dallas. There was a renewed sense of mission and vision that grew out of the meeting as the board threw its support behind its new Regional Director Marie Conners-Lavigne. New and exciting programs were brainstormed and developed during the retreat. It wasn t all work. Food and fun punctuated the day long retreat and culminated with champagne and gourmet chocolate covered strawberries.
Help us run more efficiently by donating the following items: Paper Trimmer Portable Sign/Banner Etagere for FGI Awards Display Showroom Assistant Schedule: 4 Days a Week Salary: Hourly Pay Skills: Excel, Word, Email Contact: LeConey & Associates Dallas Trade Mart Phone: 214-939-5300 Fax: 214-939-5303 Email: giftrep@aol.com Account Manager Schedule: Full Time Salary: Salary based on experience Skills: Excel, Word, Power Point, Email Duties: Management of key accounts, communication with customers, follow up with samples of new products, product development, finalizing orders, communication with factories overseas from product development to production, and shipping. Contact: The Prime Source LaVon Barnes Phone: 214-265-0760 Fax: 214-265-0720 Email: lavon@theprimesourceco.com My Financial Firm Jean M. Schmisseur Owner PO Box 293298 Lewisville, TX 75029 214-542-0611 jean@myfinancialfirm.com Elle Jewelry & Watches 18325 Waterview Pkwy Dallas, Texas 75074 214-688-0088 tchang@brands88.com
As with all non-profit associations, corporate sponsorships help FGI of Dallas provide valuable programs and events for our members. We invite any company or person to support FGI of Dallas with a sponsorship donation To receive more information about sponsorship benefits and the opportunity for your logo to appear in the sponsor section please contact: Marie Conners-Lavigne mconners@dmcmail.com 214-655-6202 The Fashion Group International is a global nonprofit association of over 5,000 professionals of achievement and influence respecting all areas of the fashion and lifestyle industries including apparel, accessories, beauty, home and retail. The goals of the organization are: To advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries. To provide a public forum for examination of important contemporary issues in fashion and the business of fashion. To present timely information regarding national and global trends that have an effect on the fashion industries. To attain greater recognition of achievements in business for men and women. To promote activities and programs that enhance networking skills and encourage interpersonal contacts so as to further the professional, social and personal development of members. To administer the activities of The Fashion Group Foundation of Dallas. For additional information contact: John Macready Fgidallas-staff@sbcglobal.net 214-634-0204