Note: This is the 1st Event of a 3 Part Event Series with a goal of discussing, inspiring, supporting and encouraging the launch of a "FashionTech" Market cluster in Charleston, SC. Entrepreneurs looking to gain valuable insight & information about growing a business or networking with other active entrepreneurs should attend. Those interested in providing services or part of the business eco-system should also attend.
The world of Fashion is rapidly changing whereby Technology such as Google Glass, Internet of Things, Mobile Wallets, iBeacon's and more are quickly converging and being integrated into the markets of fashion creating all types of new unique products and services that could translate into many unique business opportunities and market verticals that could scale quickly.
Charleston has a unique collection of entrepreneurs, designers, artists, technologists, fashionista's, investors, and supportive private and government infrastructure. Working together; this collective group could support a booming FashionTech cluster here in Charleston.
Over the next 3 months, Startup Grind Charleston will be hosting events that will educate, inspire, and help entrepreneurs in the fashion & technology markets. Our events will be with well known fashion and/or technology entrepreneurs talking about their independent entrepreneurial experiences. We will end the series with an interactive event with multiple guests discussing the future of a FashionTech cluster here in Charleston and encouraging audience participation and how we all can work to locally support the growth of Fashion Technology businesses here in the Charleston region.
The event summaries are outlined below:
Event 1: Fireside chat with Mary Norton (See Mary's Bio Below). In this event we will discuss the fashion industry in general and what it takes for an entrepreneur to launch, scale and grow a business in the world of fashion. The fashion industry is very different than the technology industry however building a business is much the same anywhere you go. Mary has significant experience in fashion markets and we will discuss what she has learned in an effort to inspire and help others; either those already in a fashion business or those thinking about launching a fashion business.
Event 2: The second event is to be held in July and will discuss and highlight specific technologies currently being integrated into the fashion industry such as Google Glass, Bluetooth, Smart Watches, iBeacon's, Mobile Wallets, and many other lead edge technology advances. Date, Venue and Guests to be announced shortly.
Event 3: The third and final event of the FashionTech series will be held in August and is to be an interactive discussion on what we learned from the first two events. We'll also discuss global market research, key metrics, technologies, principles and the processes needed to grow in the fashion technology market overall. During this event we'll introduce local entrepreneurs that are active in the Charleston FashionTech market and outline ways in which the FashionTech market can boom in Charleston.
MARY NORTON BIOGRAPHY:
Mary Norton is the international fashion designer of the Moo Roo®, Mary Norton® and Frosting® brands which has developed a worldwide following.
The iconic Moo Roo® brand is a collection of sophisticated and whimsical handbags carried by some of the world’s top celebrities, models, and exclusive consumers worldwide. It is the brand that kicked off Mary’s career.
Known as the “Red Carpet Accessory Expert” Mary grew Moo Roo® into an international brand carried by celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Halley Berry, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone and more.
Moo Roo® has adorned the shelves of the world’s finest retailers and has been featured on the pages of the most important fashion and lifestyle magazines. In addition to Moo Roo®; Mary also created the Mary Norton® and Frosting® brands. Mary Norton® includes a collection of high-end bags and shoes among other accessories.
The Frosting® brand included bags and other accessories and even featured a special collection that was exclusively offered on the (HSN) Home Shopping Network for over a two year period. With each appearance the collection sold out in record time.
Mary Norton is to visit with Startup Grind on June 26th from 4-7pm to discuss her experiences in the fashion world and what it’s like to design and sell fashion products to a global audience.
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