The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) has released the star-studded line-up for its Business Events Series 2014.
Organisers for the festival, set to run from March 17 to 23, said they expect over 2500 delegates to attend the Business Events Series this year.
The program for 2014 will comprise five events and feature presentations from international and Australian industry innovators, providing unique content for creative or design-led, consumer-facing and service-orientated businesses.
The Business Seminar section spans four topics this year, including:
Sensory Branding: Presented by Dawn and Samantha Goldworn who founded NY Branding Company 12.29 – an olfactive branding company that designs custom scents for retail/corporate environments hospitality venues, special events, and private homes.
Redifining Heritage - Artisan Ethical Sourcing: Presented by Paul van Zyl Co-Founder & CEO of Maiyet and Simone Cipriani from the Ethical Trading Initiative, who will discuss their respective pioneering work with the next generation of master craftsmen from places such as Ghana, Uganda, Colombia India, Indonesia, Peru and Mongolia.
Digital vs Bricks & Mortar: Insights behind farfetch.com – launched in 2008 by fashion entrepreneur José Neves, founder of b store (British Fashion Award 2006) and SIX Showroom. farfetch.com forms the hub of a global fashion community that unites independent boutiques around the world with fashion lovers and partners with influential and forward-thinking independent businesses.
Team Development – recruiting, training and motivating a team to maintain brand message: Christian Ettinger from bespoke HR and training firm Christian Bassett will provide insights on recruiting, training and motivating teams to deliver on a brand message. Christian is based in Singapore and has 15 years’ experience working for the world’s leading luxury brands. With a portfolio of over 30 companies ranging from Donna Karen, Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs, Christian has designed and led training programmes for thousands of staff, in diverse cultural environments and at every level of proficiency.
In addition, the VAMFF Marketing Breakfast will see three internationally renowned marketing professionals share their experiential marketing approaches and describe how they affect consumers' emotions, memories and perceptions creating compelling brand experiences.
Special guests of the event include Ted Baker head of brand and marketing Craig Smith and NY Branding Company 12.29 founders Dawn and Samantha Goldworm.
Craig will discuss the breadth and diversity of the Ted Baker brand during its first 25 years using various case studies to illustrate its strategy.
The Goldworm sisters will discuss the new and unique process for brands to undertake to add to the costumer experience.
The Fashion Industry Forums will round out the VAMFF Business Events Series with three dynamic panel discussions on the following topics:
1) Fashion Buying
The buying process is the engine room of the fashion industry and this session will provide insights and advice for retailers and fashion brands alike. A panel of buyers with experience working in both physical and online environments will offer designers tips on successfully engaging a fashion buyer and advise retailers on creating a successful buying strategy.
Speakers: Donna Player from David Jones, Shane Carroll from Styletread and Karen Rieschieck from Alice Euphemia.
2) Fashion Investment
The Australian fashion and retail landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade reflected in an increasing number of brands turning to an external investor to ensure ongoing viability or market growth. This session will provide both insights from investors on what they look for in a brand and advice from designers on how to secure an investor that aligns with your brand.
Speakers: Tim Hobson from Factory X, Aurelio Costarella and Eric Morris CEO PAS Group.
3) International Readiness
Growth opportunities for international retailers are increasingly driven by global expansion in an attempt to make-up for slow growth in European and American markets. This forum will explore how the recent influx of overseas fashion brands is impacting on local operators and discuss what Australian retailers need to do to thrive in an increasingly internationalised trading environment.
Speakers: Sophie Holt from Country Road, Elle Roseby, general manger Supre and Lisa Gorman.