NEWS: Fashion Council Germany erweitert USA - Berlin Partnerschaft
Fashion Council Germany
Berlin, April 23, 2024: The internationalization project Fashion Forward Network (FFN) of the Fashion Council Germany and the innovation agency Sqetch, brought twelve Berlin fashion labels & tech start-ups to New York City for a second delegation trip in April. The overarching goal of the initiative is to support Berlin companies in their market entry into the USA and to provide them with relevant and forward-looking business contacts. The two-year project is financed by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, and the European Union. This year's trip was also accompanied by the chairwoman of the FCG, Christiane Arp, and the Berlin State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Michael Biel.
The delegation consisted of the twelve fashion brands and tech start-ups: AVENIR, DR. BAUM, IMPARI, HADERLUMP, Kasia Kucharska, Natascha von Hirschhausen, PLATTE Berlin, SANE Standard, SF1OG, SOCIÉTÉ ANGELIQUE, REFRAMD and RICHERT BEIL. For one week, the participants received a program specially tailored to them, which gave them an understanding of the special features of the US market and included sales and communication workshops, as well as strategic market entry recommendations. In various program items, they were brought together with local stakeholders, press representatives, and industry experts, and were thus already able to make important international contacts.
Factory visits to the famous Garment District and meetings with representatives of the Parsons School of Design ELab, the concept store chain The Webster and the fashion stores of PHILLIP LIM and MERZ B. Schwanen provided the participants with valuable insights into sustainable technologies and US retail. In addition, they were given the opportunity to meet industry giants such as Willa Bennett from Highsnobiety, industry expert Karo Brandi, freelance fashion journalist India Roby, buying expert Michal Kurtis and Carmen Gama from the Eileen Fisher Foundation in person. Another highlight of the five-day program was a visit to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, where CEO Steven Kolb and Communications Director Marc Karimzadeh shared key U.S. industry insights.
Just like last year, the twelve entrepreneurs received "pitch training" with entrepreneur Brian Frumberg as well as communication training and coaching with Kim Lenar. The training prepared the participants for the following "Pitch Night", where they met potential US investors. Following the respective pitches, they gave valuable feedback and even expressed interest in a possible investment. The evening was inaugurated by State Secretary Michael Biel, followed by a keynote speech by Kim Lenar. On the occasion of the delegation trip, an FCG Fireside Dinner took place in New York City at Loft 29, the photo studio of the German photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth. For the second time, the evening was accompanied by the German prestige chef Simon with an exclusive menu. The main focus of the dinner was the exchange between the German and American industry players and the establishment of valuable business partnerships.
The next step is proactive networking between the players in both markets. This is where the partnerships that have been initiated are to be developed and concrete business initiated. The Fashion Council Germany is available to advise all project participants and supports them on an ongoing basis in developing their business cooperations. Regular webinars provide further input on important topics affecting the US market.
Fashion Forward Network is a project of the Fashion Council Germany and the innovation platform Sqetch. The initiative is funded by a state programme, which is financed by the ERDF funds and by funds from the state of Berlin. The Pitch Night was supported by DWIH New York - German Center for Research and Innovation and the Berlin Business Office USA.
