5.2.11

Bloomberg is All Business about Fashion, Announcing "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp" for Fashion Designers


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DISPATCHES FROM THE GARMENT DISTRICTMAYOR BLOOMBERG

Bloomberg is All Business about Fashion, Announcing "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp" for Designers

Bloomberg is All Business about Fashion, Announcing "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp" for Designers
Jenni Avins/Thread NY
There’s no shortage of starry-eyed designers in New York, but it seems if Mayor Bloomberg has anything to say about it, the Garment Districtwill start seeing more hard-nosed business types soon.

The NYC Economic Development Corporation (who helped bring us the CFDA Fashion Incubatorannounced six new programs that resulted from FashionNYC2020, their yearlong analysis of the industry. Five of those initiatives emphasize business acumen above all – no surprise since the advisory board included industry titans like Andrew Rosen and Diane von Furstenberg. With Parsons bringing some 800 aspiring designers to New York each year, we agree it’s wise to nurture some brains to run the business, which is what EDC-funded internships and fellowships aim to do.

Bloomberg also announced an “entrepreneurial boot camp” for “emerging fashion designers, many of whom have a strong creative vision, but lack the requisite business skills.” (Doesn’t sound like anyone we know.) And if those creative types can get their designs to the production stage, the newNYC Fashion Fund will even float them money for manufacturing.
It seems like Bloomberg's vision for better-rounded designers is already taking shape. When we stopped by Bibhu Mohapatra's studio at theCFDA Fashion Incubator a few months ago, he took a break from sketching to talk sales.
"This is business," the designer said, surrounded by plush furs and ethereal gowns. "There is no meaning if there is not commerce attached to this craft, this art."
BY JENNI AVINS // THURSDAY, JAN 20, 2011 AT 07:10 EST

Robert Verdi on Ecco Domani Judges: "They're the Gatekeepers of Fashion"


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AWARDSALL THE PRETTY PEOPLE

Robert Verdi on Ecco Domani Judges: "They're the Gatekeepers of Fashion"

Robert Verdi on Ecco Domani Judges: "They're the Gatekeepers of Fashion"
Thread NY
At last night's anniversary party for the Ecco Domani awards, which celebrate emerging fashion talents, Prabal Gurung celebrated 2011 winner Bibhu Mohapatra's love of BollywoodMandy Coon dished on her fashion week essentials, and host Robert Verdi admitted he was mostly eyeing Mohapatra's dresses and the Lake & Stars lingerie.
"This is the most prestigious award you want to win in fashion," Verdi told us. "In 10 years, they've really picked the most important, prolific, emerging American fashion designers. The group that's judging them ... they're the great gatekeepers of fashion."
As for whom among the winners Verdi had his eyes on, the style expert professed his love for The Lake & Stars as well as Bibhu Mohapatra, mostly because "it's award season" (Mohapatra's gowns on display were quite stunning).
Mohapatra seemed to be one of the biggest stars of the night, enjoying one of the best introductions as well, delivered by his CFDA Incubator neighbor, Prabal Gurung. "Not only do I think he is talented and worthy of this design, I do also think he's one of the nicest persons you can find in this industry ... And on a very, very presonal note, his love and my love for Bollywood has cemented our friendship."
Later, we caught up with fellow award-winner Mandy Coon, who admitted that the award had allowed her to step up to a bigger platform in moving her show to Lincoln Center. As the designer preps her "dark and chic" fall collection for the runway, the biggest essential keeping her going is apparently vegan cupcakes. "Babycakes!" she said excitedly.
BY LAUREL PINSON // FRIDAY, FEB 4, 2011 AT 04:00 EST

Hillary Swank in Bibhu Mohapatra

Hillary Swank in Bibhu Mohapatra
on way to Late show in New York

Me

Me
in the studio

Bibhu Mohapatra fall 2009 Presentation