SHEI Digital // Vol. 5 MFMS Issue

Digital

Volume 5 | MFMS Issue

who’s on SHEI staff? editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liv Velarde CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paige Wilson FEATURES EDITOR Amber Mitchell PRINT FASHION EDITORS Elena Odulak Alana Valko DIGITAL FASHION EDITOR Alexa DeFord PRINT DESIGN EDITORS Katie Beukema Xinyi Liu

business PUBLISHER Serena Pergola ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR Connie Zhang

DIGITAL DESIGN EDITORS Aliya Falk Manda Villarreal

MARKETING DIRECTOR Christi Suzuki

PRINT PHOTO EDITORS Kenzie King Becca Rudman

FINANCE COORDINATORS Savannah Klein Ella Radice

DIGITAL PHOTO EDITOR Francesca Romano

EVENTS COORDINATOR Courtney O’Beirne

STREET STYLE EDITOR Evan Parness

OUTREACH COORDINATOR Ellie Benson

MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Benji Bear

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Claire Dickerson

VIDEO EDITOR Rosalie Li

DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Colleen Jones

DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Emily Benderoff

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Molly Shulan

ILLUSTRATOR MANDA VILLARREAL

SHEI /’sh(ay)/ Magazine was founded in 1999 as an Asian Pop Culture Magazine and became affiliated with University of Michigan Student Publications in 2013.

Our Digital Magazine, known as SHIFT at the time, was launched in 2015. Since then, SHEI has grown to campus wide recognition as a publication that students can come to for fashion, art, and culture commentary and inspiration.

who’s on MFMS team? marketing: student executive board CO-PRESIDENTS Caitlin Forbes Alexa Moss CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Sarah Mehlman VP OF RECRUITMENT, TEAM & TALENT Hannah Elbner VP OF EVENT PLANNING Ali Kraft

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MARKETING Anjali Chatterjee MICHIGAN STUDENT MARKETING MANAGER Emma Greenebaum STUDENT OUTREACH MARKETING MANAGER, FASHION FORWARD & NON-MICHIGAN Sanam Kamran MARKETING & INSIGHTS COORDINATOR Lal Cakmur

VP OF PARTERNSHIPS Abby Bass

marketing: professionals, alumni and public relations

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Abdo

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Alisha Jennings-Olowosuko

BUDGET DIRECTOR Charlotte Hamlet

DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL & ALUMNI MARKETING Annie Schechter

CHIEF BRANDING OFFICER Lana Ziegler CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Charley Wolfe

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL & ALUMNI MARKETING MANAGER Uma Chalik

INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICE Delaney Walker

NETWORK ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Caitlin Ramirez

INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Cam Starwalt

PRESS RELATIONS MANAGER Juliette Sibley

INTERIM CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Grace Gonzalez INTERIM CHIEF BRANDING OFFICER Remy Harnick

event planning DIRECTOR OF EXPERIMENTAL MARKETING Jenna Jacobson DIRECTOR OF SUMMIT OPERATIONS Olivia Gregg

branding DIRECTOR OF VISUAL BRANDING Elena Howes CREATIVE & BRANDING COORDINATOR Courtney Newman SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS Izzy Mark Olivia Tauber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE STITCH Abby Ingber SENIOR EDITOR, THE STITCH Amy Rosner JUNIOR WRITERS, THE STITCH Pilar Burgess Izzy Hermelin

creative LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Adrianna Kusmiercyzk JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Anna McClelland DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Regos JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Grace Coudal DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Brian Zhao

SUMMIT EXPERIENCE MANAGERS Jack Berkey Katie Lowenbaum EVENT PLANNING & OPERATIONS MANAGER Liv Haller RRC LIASION Mira Sanghvi

partnerships ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kate Burns Adya Pandey ACCOUNT MANAGER Max Lederman ACCOUNT STRATEGIST Hannah Dienstag

finance BUDGET DIRECTOR Grace Drettmann FINANCE MANAGER Wendy Qu

speaker logistics DIRECTOR OF SPEAKER LOGISTICS Remy Klugman SPEAKER LOGISTICS COORDINATOR Sophie Glassman

MASTHEAD 02 LETTER FRO

MFM

ON MFMS

M

in this issue

2 OM THE EDITOR & PRESIDENTS 08 MS BREAKDOWN 10 INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDERS 14 N BRAND 20 ON CAMPUS 38 SELF MADE FINALISTS 2019 40 MFMS SPEAKER LINE UP 2019 44

What is the role of a fashion organization on a campus like Michigan? Do we want to be aspirational or should we reflect what we see on campus?

Should we be a blank slate that exists to provide resources and let students be the ones that flourish? It’s a hard question to answer in a sentence, but aspirationally, we want to reflect trends coming out of the cultural hubs of the world while also reflecting the spirit of campus in our magazine.

Since I’ve been a student at this university, I’ve watched the fashion community flourish and I’m honored to be a part of that with the SHEI family. Particularly with our introduction of the Street Style section of the magazine, we’re able to see every month just how vibrant and fashionforward we are as a campus. It fosters a community centered around fashion and a love for dressing yourself in a fun way every morning.

This week, SHEI is bringing you a special edition of our Digital Magazine in order to give a sneak peak of an amazing event on campus: the Michigan Fashion Media Summit. This fellow fashion organization is a group of people that we are proud to partner with in elevating the fashion status at Michigan. In this issue, you’ll find an overview of the sophisticated panelists that will be attending the summit, a photoshoot of some members in the MFMS signature black and white style, and a first person run through of what a day at this event will look like.

I hope this issue prepares SHEI’s readers for what is about to be an exhilarating day of opportunity. I sincerely hope that none of you are missing out on the unique experience that the Michigan Fashion Media Summit brings us.

Liv Velarde Editor-In-Chief, SHEI Magazine

It is hard to believe that in a couple weeks, Robertson Auditorium will be bursting with excitement and anticipation, as we welcome a plethora of acclaimed speakers and our event host, Sophia Macks, to the stage. Sophia’s job for the day will entail more than simply introducing each speaker; she will establish the event’s momentum and synergy that, as Presidents, we have worked to promote since our initial appointment. After searching the past four years for our niche on campus, our involvement with the Michigan Fashion Media Summit has allowed us to combine our interests in fashion and business, helping us navigate and find our purpose in college.

But this begs the question why do we do what we do? We wake-up at 8AM to check emails before running to class and stay up late into the night making decisions with our executive board discussing the most pertinent details to the summit. As students, we pride ourselves on being timely, organized, and dedicated. But as leaders, we have learned how to challenge ourselves and others, remain calm in the face of adversity, and how to achieve our goals personally and professionally, as well as assisting others to do the same. Above all, together, we have been able to develop and execute an event that people will both learn from, be inspired by, and cherish. It is no small task for two college students, even with a talented team of nearly fifty.

We are responsible for hosting an event that will impact countless student’s careers. This is exactly why we do what we do: why we wake up every day ready to take on new challenges, and why we devote each minute to preparing for the day. A mutual goal of ours has always been to bring an experience that leaves students curious, inspired, and craving more, bridging the gap between stigma at the University of Michigan towards the fashion industry.

The Michigan Fashion Media Summit created a community that was able to challenge the status quo. This is how the MFMS came to be, and why our mission is dedicated to reaching a collective vision and bringing fashion to the lives of University of Michigan students. We cannot wait to see you there.

Alexa Moss Co-President, MFMS

Caitlin Forbes Co-President, MFMS

MFMS

6:00

WE ARRIVE AT THE STEPHEN M. ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

BREAKDOWN: FROM SET UP TO CLEAN UP

6AM sharp. All hands on deck for setup. We have 2.5 hours to transform the business school into a fashion powerhouse- rearranging signage, organizing partnership products, and polishing the speaker room. Ready, set, let’s do this!

Imagine: It’s April 12th. The day we have all been working so incredibly hard for.

The day that started as a mere vision two years ago, and is now a tangible reality. The second annual Michigan Fashion Media Summit will supersede last year’s event; we are continuously evolving, and this day will be even bigger and better than what came before. Keep reading for an inside look into all the different fabrics that constitute our fashion-forward, entrepreneurial, techsavvy event. When woven together, these elements create the cloth of the Michigan Fashion Fashion Media Summit. You won’t want to miss this.

9:45

MORNING KEYNOTE. We are so incredibly lucky to have Jennifer Powell as our morning keynote! Known as the creator of all things influencer, Powell has caused a complete revolution in talent management by introducing bloggers and brands to the digital platform. Her stories of success and inspiration are endless, giving you all the reason to come hear her speak!

8:30

9:30

Although a bit tedious, this is a crucial moment to ensure all of our guests and speakers have arrived. Family members and speakers will be given credentials to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd.

The beginning of our summit sets the precedent for what is to follow. Who are we, what is our mission, how are we changing the future fabric of fashion? Sophia Macks, the founder and CEO at Beyond the Mag, our fabulous host for the day, sets the tone.

ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION IN THE ROSS LOBBY.

WELCOMING AND OPENING REMARKS.

10:30

THE EMPIRE STATE OF MIND. Our first panel, focusing on business strategy, consists of three superstars in the field of entrepreneurship and fashion. Marly Graubard, Dana Perlman of PVH, and John Antonini will share insider tips and tricks on how to take command of retail’s evolving landscape.

11:20

12:00

Breakout sessions are designed to give attendees the choice to listen to speakers that resonate with them the most. The first breakout panel, The Insider’s Guide: Getting Past Fashion’s Front Door, includes talent such as John Mezzo of Michael Kors, Ashley Sandall of Council of Fashion Designers of America, Rachel Pietrangelo of One Rockwell, and Karen Rosenbach. The second, The Female Effect: Navigating Content and Commerce, includes revolutionary women such as Meredith Paley of Talbots, Elizabeth Harrison of Harrison and Shriftman, Lynn Tesoro of HL Group, and Jodi Balkan.

After an action-packed morning, we have all built up an appetite! Our lunch is catered by the one and only Zingerman’s, which provides our guests with the flavor of Michigan. Additionally, this is a time when guests can network with various icons in the industry.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS.

LUNCH.

12:50

2:30

THE DIGITAL TRAILBLAZERS.

THE FASHION FOOTPRINT.

Our second panel, focusing on marketing in the digital age, consists of two individuals who have exploited social media platforms to create an image. Aliza Licht of EVP Brand Marketing & Communications and Sophia Chabbott of Women’s Wear Daily will share their personal success stories in a media-saturated world.

Our final panel, focusing on brand relevance, consists of three MVP players in their respective companies. Nate Forbes of Forbes Company, David Creech of Jordan Brand, and Paul Rivera of the Robot Company will discuss the process of building brands and integrating those brands into contemporary fashion culture.

1:35

NETWORKING SHOWCASE. Attendees, along with members of our team, have a special opportunity to network with the top talent in the field. Individuals are encouraged to bring their resumes to ensure a professional and proactive experience. The networking portion of our summit furthers the primary objective of the MFMS: to connect students with iconic individuals and premier brands in the world of fashion.

3:15

4:00

Our afternoon keynote is yet to be announced.

Stay tuned...

It’s been a riveting 7.5 hours of all things fashion, business, and media! (And an even longer 10+ hours for the MFMS team). Now it’s time to summarize the key takeaways of our event.

Once again, we are bringing fashion to the University of Michigan’s campus. We are providing a platform for individuals to connect with top industry professionals. We are changing the future of fabric one step at a time. It takes a village to put on an event as revolutionary as this.

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE.

CLOSING REMARKS.

WRITER AMY ROSNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER PAIGE WILSON

2:20

SELF MADE FASHION FORWARD SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY STEVE MADDEN. The Fashion Forward Showcase is a perfect opportunity for student entrepreneurs to take a step in becoming the next generation of fashion industry leaders. Finalists will be presented on stage, and be granted with an amazing surprise gift from the Steve Madden Brand! In addition, this is a great way to get students from other campuses involved in the Michigan Fashion Media Summit.

4:30

CLEAN UP. The day may be over for most, but our team keeps going. We clean up the mess we have made- the disruption we have caused to Ross, to our campus, to the world of fashion as we once knew it. Ross may look like a business school again, but it will always be a fashion powerhouse to us. A transformative space where we can color outside of the lines. We can’t wait till next year till we can tackle our blank canvas again, throw paint in the air, and watch it splatter.

WRITER JULIETTE SIBLEY GRAPHIC DESIGNER PAIGE WILSON

What was the most important skill you learned in the MFMS that is transferable into the workplace?

ALI GROPPER: Be entrepreneurially minded, always. In year one, we took on this task with a strict 6 month deadline despite professionals telling us that executing this caliber of an event would be impossible. What’s so cool about the first Michigan Fashion Media Summit is that its foundation is rooted in the team creating something out of nothing...no rulebook or guidelines.

In my current position at Karla Otto, I have a newfound desire to always think about projects beyond face value. In fact, I have just launched a side gig on Instagram called @theyrewithus; go follow the page to find out more!

RYAN WALKER: Project Management -- At work, large projects can have many moving pieces, with multiple stakeholders all responsible for doing their part to achieve a goal. Leading the MFMS takes collaborating across multiple functions to coordinate one perfectly executed event. Being able to communicate, prioritize, and sometimes even multi-task will always be applicable in any large project we take on. We operate like a business--and not a club--to mimic what the real world work environment is like.

RACHEL ROTH: Leadership. I know people say with great power comes great responsibility, but the MFMS taught me that great responsibility can lead to overwhelmingly powerful outcomes. Being both the Creative Director and Chief Marketing Officer taught me how to be an effective leader and someone who my teams wanted to learn from and with. So when I entered the workplace, I knew that the people and culture of the organization I worked with would be imperative to my growth. People skills are as important, if not more important, than tactical ones, and knowing how to be a leader and learn from a leader has allowed me to develop incredible relationships with the teams and leadership I now work with and for at Creative Arts Agency.

How has the MFMS helped you professionally?

AG: I essentially took on a full-time job as a fulltime student, balancing group projects with phone calls with CEOs; coordinating study sessions with walkthroughs at the Ross School of Business. Every day I see how my attention to detail, understanding of professional communication, and my overall disposition surpass my colleagues and peers because of the MFMS “training camp” that took place over the 6 month planning process.

RW: Resume Experience -- everyone wants someone with experience, which makes getting that first job very, very difficult. Creating the MFMS gave me credibility to talk about an experience that I had truly made an impact on, proving to interviewers that I was capable of stepping into that new role and making an impact there too.

RR: This might be an interesting way to answer your question but the MFMS taught me how to really be a professional– point blank. How to look at the placement of a logo for an instagram post as intricately as the body of an email being sent to a panelist. No detail is too trivial; no task is too insignificant. Treating the work we did for the MFMS with the utmost professionalism was an internal exercise that taught us all to value what it means to communicate formally and effectively.

How has the MFMS provided you with networking opportunities and industry professional level connections?

AG: Throughout the creation of the MFMS, I learned just how many U of M alumni work in fashion, media, and retail verticals. Now, I am so thrilled to be part of both the MFMS and industry communities and spark the movement of guiding U of M students into the field.

On a personal note, I saw firsthand how the MFMS transcends the job application process.

I found my dream job online (which is my current job today at Karla Otto working in Celebrity Relations!) Despite numerous emails, LinkedIn messages, and phone calls, I could not get a response from a single employee. Rather than passively waiting for a reply, I took myself to New York City, found a way to maneuver my way through security in the building, and dropped off a thick folder with a range of MFMS editorials and materials alongside my resume. The next day, I was called in for an interview, and the following week, the job was mine.

RW: Good networking is shaking hands. Great networking is about giving and taking. You can’t just take to be an effective networker. You have to give. We were able to provide value for industry professionals, who in turn were more than happy to help us with our own endeavors. If you lead with “What can I do for you?” you’re far more likely to make a true impact on someone and increase the chance they’ll help you down the road.

RR: At the MFMS’s core, right there in our mission statement, we set out to create a network of like-minded and fashionably-profound people who have either already infiltrated the fashion industry or are on track to become its next generation of leaders. Through the summit that we built and 360-degree platform around from our little houses on S. Forest, I was connected to

not just people, but places and positions and projects and powerhouses that rule the industry. But it’s not all about the connections. It’s about the introductions you’re willing to make for yourself. That’s why it’s awesome that the MFMS exists and draws these incredible lines to build our network and bring people to Ann Arbor, but you have to be willing to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.

What is the most valuable thing you learned from the MFMS? AG: Realizing that an important idea is valuable despite your age, gender, or worth. The MFMS was born in my bedroom of my parents’ home, and was produced with zero funding, zero professional opinion, and zero university protection.

It was the passion and the obvious need for this event that made students, industry professionals, and the university buy-in.

RW: We can accomplish ANYTHING we put our minds to. It takes a year to put on this event, we did it in 6 months from scratch.

RR: The importance of teamwork. What happened on April 13, 2018 and what will happen on April 12, 2019 and what will continue to happen every spring forward for a long, long time (and mark my words on this) is a product of nothing more than relentless, talented people working long nights into long days into even longer nights together. What was and is so special about being a part of the MFMS is that you don’t need to individually bring everything to the table; you just need to find the empty seat between two cardholders, get to know who they are and why they’re sitting where they are, and prove what your individual hand can offer to the larger initiative. That’s how Ali, Ryan, and I originally started. Imagine what the card table of 40+ players was able to accomplish.

How has the MFMS shaped you on a personal level?

AG: The MFMS has become part of my identity.

Being able to maintain a personal connection to the university and current undergrads is such a rare, rewarding opportunity. Sharing stories about my career and providing advice for job/ internship applications with MFMS members is one of the most fulfilling products of this organization.

RW: It’s given us a larger purpose outside of our every day jobs. It’s also given us big goals.

We want to see the continued success of the MFMS because of what it can do for others.

Opening doors, providing resume experience and ultimately (fingers crossed) establishing a retail program at U of M. RR: Founding the MFMS allowed me to watch the creative commotion that rushes through the right side of my brain project outside of my body in a manner and caliber I had never seen before. I witnessed what it was like to ideate and conceptualize something and then blast it into tangibility and stamp it with a logo and cause that I believe in and am proud to show others. Building the MFMS brand showed me that creativity is fuel and when you are passionate about your creative process, working feels a lot less like work and a lot more like pleasure.

How would you characterize your individual fashion sense? Has the MFMS shaped or changed it in anyway? Has it changed after graduating from Michigan?

AG: My style is a balance of trendy and timeless. My job at Karla Otto (and essentially working out of a three story closet) allows me to be exposed to past, present, and future collections from the top designers in the world, like OffWhite and Givenchy. It’s fun to incorporate my staple pieces that have always defined my look (fact: 6/7 days a week I am wearing vintage Levi jeans -- just not on Sundays) with statement pieces to create my unique style.

RW: Edgy but professional. The clothes and brands you wear are an expression of who you are and developing the MFMS brand made us think a ton about branding and why it matters.

If you aren’t looking out for your personal brand, no one else will.

RR: Probably “Rock ‘n Roll,” a term coined to describe my persona by none other than my business partner and freshman year roommate Ali Gropper. I’m not sure that the MFMS changed my sense of style but rather enhanced it– as I’ve mentioned, cultivating the MFMS brand forced me to recognize my own, providing me with a stronger sense of identity in both my closet and head space that I’m able to confidently wear on my back day in and day out. I wouldn’t say my style has changed since graduation but from 9-7, Mon-Fri I’d say it takes a little bit of an experiential backseat to adapt to office culture. There you can likely find me in a toned-down depiction of my street style, hiding behind an Illustrator artboard listening to the Rolling Stones. I still make sure to show up to work in a leather jacket and plaid pants with leopard hair sneakers on my feet at least twice a week for good measure.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS MACKENZIE KING EVAN PARNESS GRAPHIC DESIGNER PAIGE WILSON MODELS CLAIRE ABDO GRACE COUDAL SANAM KAMRAN

Gold Hoops - Madewell Necklace - Bagatiba

Top - ASOS Pants - Weekday Shoes - Wild Diva Ring - Tuleste

Jewelry - Thrifted

Top - Aritzia Skirt - Brandy Melville

Tooth Jewel - Nike Silver Earring - Free People

WRITER AMY ROSNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANDA VILLARREAL

mfms on campus

Although our name is the Michigan Fashion Media Summit, we are not just a one day event. We are constantly hosting a variety of events on campus to give students a taste of the summit, in addition to heightening awareness of our organization and creating an everlasting imprint on Michigan’s culture. Our mission is to inspire and educate the next generation of fashion industry leaders by connecting them to creative and professional opportunities across the retail world. This mission cannot happen in one day. In order to achieve our objective, we need to maintain a constant presence on the University of Michigan’s campus. Our informational and experiential events keep us relevant.

On December, 7th 2018 we co-hosted a resume workshop with Sarah Zimmerman, a renowned lecturer of Business Communications and an Executive of Education. Sarah provided students with real-world advice on how to present themselves to the business realm in a professional and efficient manner.

The MFMS understands the crucial role that resumes play in networking, and therefore sets aside time, prior to the summit, to prepare students for the recruitment process.

On January, 5th 2018, The MFMS hosted a Media and Creativity Career Panel in partnership with the Ross Retail Club. Here, five students led a panel and shared their personal work experience at companies such as CondĂŠ Nast, Chanel, Nordstrom, Google, and William Morris Endeavor (WME). The students explained that the retail world is not as glamorous as it may look, and in order to succeed in any business you must advocate for yourself. You have to constantly remind yourself that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Most recently, we hosted a recruitment series with Michael Kors where students

in the Michigan Fashion Media Summit as well as other students had the opportunity to hear from Michael Kors HR representatives. They shared key pieces of information regarding their internship program, as well as advice on how to get your foot in the door. In addition, the recruiters shared insight on how the brand functions, the opportunities for interns inside the company, as well as what they look for in an application. Michael Kors is a part of Capri Holdings, a multinational fashion company. Along with Michael Kors, Capri Holdings owns Jimmy Choo and Versace.

Besides the Summit and recruiting events, the Michigan Fashion Media Summit is also hosting the Self-Made Fashion Forward Showcase sponsored by Steve Madden. This showcase does not only pertain to Michigan students, but recognizes college students across the country who are entrepreneurs working to develop a brand. Five finalists are chosen and honored in front of 600 attendees at the Summit and one will be chosen by the Steve Madden team as the winner. By hosting this competition we enable college students to widen their connections in the fashion industry.

The Michigan Fashion Media Summit hosts a running sticker campaign to raise awareness of the organization. Members of the team post photos of the MFMS stickers placed in unique and eye-catching locations.

This campaign strengthens the presence of the MFMS on campus, and beyond. Our efforts are not only directed towards April 12th. Our efforts are intended to integrate the ideas and values of the Michigan Fashion Media Summit into the cultural fabric of Michigan, and campuses all over the country. We are not just a one day summit. We are a business organization, an ideology, and a mantra.

PRESENTED BY

The Self Made Fashion Forward Showcase presented by Steve Madden is an opportunity for students across the country to exhibit their work in fashion and media.

Contestants are students, leaders, and creators that are revolutionizing both industries.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANDA VILLARREAL

peter michaelides: terms & conditions Peter was born and raised in Ann Arbor and is currently a senior at the University of Michigan, studying Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE).

He founded Terms & Conditions Apparel in 2018 with a vision to form a creative, collaborative community where talented individuals are able to express themselves and their ideas. Peter has always been interested in fashion and design and has studied both. Peter has a vision in place to expand T&C far past apparel and sees it branching into more areas or the creative arts in the future.

lily hochfelder: lilyhock LILYHOCK is a brand and one woman business that focuses on what it means to surround yourself with “happy.� The brand incorporates various aspects of design to produce unique creations.

From crafting videos to graphic design to product development, nineteen year old Lily does it all. Starting at the young age of 9, Lily has consistently been eager to take on more projects and learn as much as she can within the industry all while pursuing her own business.

emily o’brien: the emily look Emily O’Brien is the founder, creative director, and photographer behind The Emily Look. Emily created The Emily Look back in 2014 as a platform to bring together individuals who were equally passionate about fashion, photography, and film.

Now in 2019, The Emily Look has transformed into a content creation company where she has worked for brands and editorials such as Rent the Runway, Teen Vogue, Target, Gant, and Yikes Vintage. In addition, Emily is a creator and field editor for Target’s first digital magazine, Target Tag, and made Trench Magazine’s and Hearst Magazine’s “Z Best Dressed List” back in 2018.

Emily currently attends the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University and plans on working in the fashion industry after graduation.

alexa deford Alexa DeFord dreamed of being a designer from a young age. As a child she spent her time experimenting with drawing and keeping up with the ever changing world of fashion. Now, a Junior at the University of Michigan, Alexa designs large, eye-catching textiles and shoes. In 2018, she landed her first ever job at Steve Madden designing shoes under the VP of Design. From then on she knew that the shoe industry is where she needed to be. Recently she has been recognized by the creative directors at DKNY where she won their 2019 Shoe Design Competition.

maya mutalik: hope sews Maya Mutalik is the Founder, CEO, and head designer of a socially conscious fashion brand called “Hope Sews.� She started Hope Sews due to her passion for increasing economic opportunity for women and girls in developing countries and now works at the intersection of social impact and fashion. Hope Sews sells chic, modern clothing made from authentic Ghanaian fabrics & prints.

They also provide seamstresses in rural areas of Ghana with sewing machines and microfinance loans to help them grow their businesses. With her emerging brand, Maya aims to empower women through cross-cultural fashion.

jordan furr: star laces Jordan Furr is a sophomore studying Computer Science and American Culture. He is especially interested in how fashion can be used to create a new way to engage with social causes.

His current project prints personal pronouns on shoelaces in an effort to normalize pronouns by creating a product fashionable enough that both cisgender and transgender people are interested in wearing and engaging with.

mfms speaker line up 2019

morning keynote jennifer powell INFLUENCER, TALENT MANAGER & DIGITAL BRAND STRATEGIST Our morning keynote speaker is none other than Jennifer Powell. As the creator of all things “influencer”, Powell was the first agent to turn blogs into immediate profitable businesses by orchestrating collaborations and endorsements with fashion and lifestyle brands. Powell currently manages the businesses of Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat), Julie Sarinana (@sincerelyjules), Mary Lawless Lee (@happilygrey), and many more notable names. Her major successes in this space led to the founding of Jennifer Powell, Inc in April 2017. Her business focuses on both influencer management/brand building and also consulting and creation of influencer marketing strategy for brands.

afternoon keynote lyle barnes REGIONAL VP, WEST COAST, LOUIS VUITTON Lyle Barnes is the Regional Vice President for luxury French fashion house Louis Vuitton. Barnes joined Louis Vuitton in 2010 and currently leads the dynamic West Coast Region, inclusive of the Global Flagship Rodeo Drive store and San Francisco’s iconic Union Square store. As Regional Vice President, Lyle guides the strategic planning, development, and execution of top line sales growth for freestanding and leased stores.

His role spans merchandising, events, client engagement, talent development, and overall operations.

host sophia macks FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BEYOND THE MAG Sophia Macks, CEO and Founder of Beyond the Mag, will be keeping the crowd alive during the 2019 Michigan Fashion Media Summit as our official host. Beyond The Mag is a multifunctional creative platform and digital destination with a primary focus on fashion, product, and art, and has established itself as one of the most visually pleasing platforms to date. In today’s accelerating world of digital influence, she takes a different route when it comes to delivering value for brands such as Jason Wu, Prada, Maison Margiela.

Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Louboutin,Roberto Cavalli, and Chanel, among many others.

paul “pr” rivera PRESIDENT, CO — FOUNDER, ROBOT COMPANY, CO — CREATOR OF HBO’S THE SHOP Rivera is currently the President and Co-Founder of The Robot Company-a marketing strategy agency that is centered around sports and culture. Rivera was previously the Global Director of the LeBron James brand at Nike, along with helping solidify Beats

by Dre as one of the global leaders in entertainment and sports. Rivera also created the popular sports and lifestyle brand “RWTW,” and co-created the HBO hit show “The Shop,” in which him and his business partners, including Lebron James, talk about all things culture.

david creech VP OF DESIGN, CREATIVE DIRECTOR , JORDAN BRAND A creative by nature, David Creech currently leads the Jordan Footwear, Apparel, Brand & Retail design teams. The style, story, and soul of the Jordan brand come from David’s eye. Prior to his role at Jordan, David worked as the Vice President of Global Brand Design for Nike.

elizabeth harrison CO-FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL & CEO OF HARRISON & SHRIFTMAN AMERICA Elizabeth is the co-founder and CEO of the esteemed full-service agency Harrison & Shriftman, which specializes in integrated global communications, dedicated media, experiential, influencer, celebrity and digital services. Known for creating and cultivating press-worthy events, H&S redefined the industry by marrying celebrities and tastemakers with brands, bringing them press, advocacy and ultimately prestige. Over the years, Elizabeth has worked closely with world-class brands including Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Chanel, Alice + Olivia, Bacardi, W Hotels, and Mercedes-Benz

aliza licht EVP BRAND MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, AUTHOR OF “LEAVE YOUR MARK” AMERICA Named one of the 50 Most Powerful People in New York Fashion, Aliza has proved

herself to be one of the most dominant figures in the industry. She has been recognized by the New York Times and Time as a pioneer in digital for her creation and former voice behind the five time award winning DKNY PR Girl social media personality. Her success doesn’t stop there: now a best selling author, Aliza has shared her wealth of knowledge and expertise in her must read book “LEAVE YOUR MARK”.

sophia chabbott DIGITAL DIRECTOR WWD Sophia is the digital director at WWD, in charge of overseeing all digital content, strategy, and social media. Sophia has had invaluable experience in the fashion media realm. Prior to WWD, Sophia has also served as Senior Online Fashion Editor at Glamour and worked in both PR and Editorial positions at Saks Fifth Avenue.

marly graubard INTERNATIONAL FASHION/LUXURY DIRECTOR, MARIE CLAIRE/HEARST Before Marly was named the Fashion and Luxury Director at Marie Claire, she had previous experience working as the Executive Director for Fashion and Beauty at Conde Nast Publications.

dana perlman SENIOR VP, TREASURER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & INVESTOR RELATIONS, PVH Dana now lives in New York, working in a leadership role at PVH Corp. - owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger among other household-name fashion brands. Dana is Treasurer, and Senior Vice President of Business Development and Investor relations, focusing her time on acquisition and divestiture strategies, capital markets and risk management, and building the broader corporate communications function. Dana’s full plate doesn’t stop there, she z serves on the Board of Directors for the retailer O’Reilly Automotive.

john antonini

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF STORES FOR SAKS FIFTH AVENUE In his current role, John has the responsibility of leading both the brand’s historic New York City Flagship and the overall Metro New York market. An executive with Saks since 1999, John has held a variety of leadership roles leading stores and regions in both the US and Canada.

john mezzo VP, HUMAN RESOURCES FOR RETAIL, MICHAEL KORS Mezzo is a fashion industry legend with over 20 years of experience in the retail sector of fashion. He is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Michael Kors Retail, which recently acquired Versace after the addition of Jimmy Choo last fall.

nate forbes

PRESIDENT & MANAGING PARTNER, THE FORBES COMPANY AMERICA Nathan Forbes is a nationally recognized developer, owner, and manager of luxury shopping destinations throughout Michigan and Florida. These landmark properties include the Somerset Collection in Troy, Michigan, The Mall at Millenia in Orlando, The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, and the Waterside Shops in Naples. Not only do we love Nathan for being a University of Michigan Alumni, but also because he and his company are actively involved in the betterment of the local Detroit community through initiatives such as the Greater Detroit Campaign Leadership Council for the Victors for Michigan Campaign.

lynn tesoro CEO AND CO-FOUNDING PARTNER AT THE HL GROUP Lynn Tesoro, CEO and co-founding partner at the HL Group to the 2019 The HL group is a strategic marketing and communications firm located in New York City and Los Angeles that concentrates on top-tier public relationships and powerful programs. Lynn is a successful leader who has strived in competitive markets, and represents a numerous amount of globally iconic brands in fashion, jewelry, travel, retail, and more.

rachel pietrangelo HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ONE ROCKWELL Rachel Pietrangelo. Rachel Pietrangelo is the head of Business Development at One Rockwell, an ecommerce agency in NYC experienced in design and technical solutions for lifestyle brands. Rachel has nearly ten years of retail and startup experience, where she holds talent in comprehensive strategy and problem solving.

meredith paley

VP, PUBLIC RELATIONS, TALBOTS Vice president of Public Relations at Talbots, Meredith’s success is clear. Having spent most of her childhood playing with lipsticks and trying on her mother’s clothing while reading Seventeen Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, Meredith Paley always knew she was destined for a career in the beauty or fashion industry. It’s safe to say she succeeded.

ashley sandall DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGNERS OF AMERICA As the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA), Sandall knows the in’s and out’s of the fashion industry. In this role, Sandall develops and manages consumer-facing and retailer partnerships for the organization, which governs the American fashion industry with over 500 of the foremost womenswear, menswear, accessory and jewelry designers as members.

karen rosenbach FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR KBL GLOBAL SEARCH Founder/Managing Director of KLR Global Search, Karen Rosenbach is a 20-year search industry veteran and thought leader for global fashion, retail, and wholesale companies.

As comfortable sourcing top business-side leadership as she is identifying the next great creative star, Karen understands management goals and the talent needed to achieve them in an ever-changing environment. Her exceptionally strong network of contacts makes her an indispensable authority for clients of all types and sizes, having placed many key players in some of the industry’s top jobs - and by extension, helped chart the future for some of fashion’s top brands.

jodi balkan PRESIDENT & FOUNDER OF BOLD PR In 2008, Balkan opened BOLD PR, a NYC-based PR agency that specializes in beauty, including such notable clients as Fenty Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Revlon, Fresh, L’Occitane and Giorgio Armani Beauty. Prior to starting the agency, Balkan headed up the L’Oréal Paris PR department and also worked at a top PR agency, but she got her start and passion for the world of beauty as an editor and writer for top women’s magazines.

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