ELEVATIONS: The Business of Fashion 2013

Description

When it comes to the bottom line, the fashion industry is all business. According to the University of Delaware, $250 billion is spent in the U.S. annually on clothing and accessories, and some 4 million Americans are employed in a fashion-related job.
 
Charleston native and George Washington High School graduate Rachel Mallory Richards, a shoe designer for some of America's most successful brands, will share an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the financial decisions that drive style at the next Elevations luncheon, to be held Wednesday, May 8, at the West Virginia Culture Center. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with an informal reception and preview of fashion from local retailers to be featured the following day at “Girl on Fire,” the West Virginia Symphony League’s annual show. Lunch will be served at noon. The Elevations Professional Women’s Network is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor DOW.
 
After earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati, Richards designed shoes for DIESEL for two years. During that time, she met her husband Kevin, also a product designer, in San Francisco and took the road north, where she exercised her skills as a soft goods designer. However, Richards’ love of shoes couldn’t keep her away from opportunities in New York City. She and her husband moved, found a great apartment in the West Village, picked up a French bulldog along the way, and set out to pursue a life of shoes - lots, and lots of shoes.
 
She landed a job with the Jones Group in 2009 and took on the role of design director for B BRIAN ATWOOD, BOUTIQUE 9, RACHEL Rachel Roy and RACHEL ROY footwear. She was the lead designer who brought B BRIAN ATWOOD to life, helping the brand to win Footwear News Brand Launch of the Year 2011.

Tickets:
Reservations for this special event are $45 Alliance members/$55 future members through Friday, April 26. Prices increase to $60 Alliance members/$70 future members after that date.

Sponsorships:
Sponsor tables of eight are available for $750 Alliance members/$850 future members and award preferred seating, logo inclusion in the program and all promotional vehicles, and recognition on all signage for this event. Please include the names of your 8 guests in the notes section of your registration process. Alliance staff will also follow up with all companies registered at the sponsor-level to keep an accurate guest list.

Register for individual and sponsor/table tickets now by clicking the blue button at top left.

If you work with an Alliance member business and need assistance locating your password to access exclusive member discounts, email Leigh Anne Strickland, Director of Member Programs & Services.