2013 Sponsorship Opportunities
Fashion Group International Chicago Chapter
The Fashion Group International (FGI) is an International, non-profit, professional organization that promotes professional careers in the field of fashion. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace. Currently FGI has over 5000 members in the fashion industry including: apparel, accessories, beauty and home. FGI has chapters in cities all over the world, with the major headquarters based in New York City. For more information about FGI, please visit www.fgi.org.
FGI Mission Statement The mission of the Foundation is: To promote educational programs devoted to fashion and to the study of fashion related businesses through the
creation and awarding of scholarships; establishment of internship programs; provision of career counseling services. Organization and sponsorship of seminars and other educational activities on a national and worldwide basis. To sponsor public service activities in which the fashion industry works, to serve relevant community needs and concerns and encourage membership and industry participation in such public service activities.
Our History FGI was founded in 1930 in New York City by a group of seventeen women who wanted a change. Led by Vogue Editor-In-Chief Edna Woolman Chase and other charter members like: Elizabeth Arden, Julia Coburn, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helena Rubinstein, Lilly Dache, Edith Head, Mary Brooks Picken, Claire McCardell and Tobé Coller Davis, FGI continues to promote fashion based and creative related fields to adults all over the world.
Some of FGI’s goals are:
To advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries.
To provide a public forum for examination of important, contemporary issues in the business of fashion.
To present timely information regarding national and global trends that have an effect on the fashion industries.
To attain greater recognition of men’s and women’s achievements in business.
To encourage men and women to seek career opportunities in fashion and related industries.
To provide activities and programs which enhance networking skills and encourage interpersonal contacts so as to further the professional, social and personal development of members.
What We Do: The Fashion Group provides a high-profile forum to promote the fashion business through hosting events that educate and also facilitate the exchange of ideas and common resources. Fashion Group events and programs are ongoing throughout the year bringing together speakers and industry leaders to address the state of business in forums devoted to retailing, cosmetics, health and beauty, accessories, apparel, home decor, marketing and communications, publishing, international trade and development as well as sociological trends. The Chicago chapter of Fashion Group International also gives back to the community through a variety of initiatives designed to help support the fashion and design related industries. We have awarded scholarships to Design students annually for over 20 years as well hosted Career Fairs and provided valuable Internship & Mentoring programs.
Benefits of Corporate Sponsorship: In partnering with the Chicago chapter of Fashion Group International, local and national sponsors are given the opportunity of reaching a unique and desirable market segment in the Chicago land area. Our membership is broad based, comprised of over 150 business owners, retailers, and executives of Chicago-based corporations with experts ranging from designers to media executives to fashion educators. Corporate sponsors receive wide-ranging benefits designed to complement their strategic marketing initiatives to reach our high-profile audience of fashionable influencers and decision makers. The Fashion Group International of Chicago offers various sponsorship levels that allow corporations to utilize Fashion Group as an important partner in building competitive advantage through relationship marketing and align themselves with leading authorities in the fashion and lifestyle industries.Please contact Lisa Ackerman for more information on our Corporate Sponsorship opportunities. lisa.ackeran@live.com
BEING A MEMBER HAS ITS BENEFITS... * BENEFIT and learn from contemporary trend and business information, industry sources and market data. * BENEFIT and increase your visibility in the competitive business environment and receive advantages for you and for your employees. * BENEFIT and connect with fashion’s leaders and decision-makers. Our global talent pool of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals from every sector of the industry include your counterparts in design, marketing, finance, manufacturing, retail, media, education and consulting. SERVICES FOR MEMBERS * FGI Trend Reports – seasonal fashion trend information from the American and European RTW Collections including apparel, accessories and beauty. * FGI Bulletin – newsletters featuring industry reports, business insights, event coverage, member highlights and career advice. * FGI Membership Directory – published annually, this powerful networking tool lists our worldwide membership by region and classifies each by business, specialty and job for easy identification. * www.fgi.org – The FGI online community at your fingertips 24/7 brings industry professionals together and provides information on of-the-moment topics, announcements and regional calendars. The “member’s only‿ houses the Fashion Access Network (FAN) with the FGI Executive Job Bank, Member Profiles and Contacts, Discussion Forum, links and more. * The Fashion Group Archives – a resource library of slides, photographs, publications, transcripts, films and videos, organized chronologically with over 75 years of fashion. *"FGI Benefits Style" – a members only program of perks, privileges, special offers and no-fee events. INDUSTRY EVENTS * Comprehensive "Best of Shows" Ready-to-Wear Presentations of runway trends from the New York, London, Milan and Paris Collections. * "Business of Fashion" programs - please check our calendar under "Events" MEMBERS ENJOY REDUCED TICKET PRICES TO ALL FGI EVENTS. OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS * Conceive and develop FGI events! * Write for the regional group bulletin! * Board and committee opportunities!
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE. ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS! INTERACT WITH INDUSTRY PEERS!
Lisa Ackerman, Regional Director Her birthday is on March 10th. She is married. Graduated from California State University-Fresno in 1994 with a BA in Business/Corporate Communications with a GPA of 3.8. Speaks Japanese, Spanish and English. She has been the regional director for FGI- Chicago for four years and five months. Currently she is working at The International Academy of Design and Technology as a professor. She teaches Fashion Publicity and Promotion and Retail Advertising and Sales Promotion.
Kerri Hannen, Treasurer Kerri is the buyer relations manager for apparel trade shows at the Merchandise Mart. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington. With a B.S. in Apparel Merchandising from 1988 – 1992.
Monique Lyle, Secretary Monique is the marketing director at the Merchandise Mart for nine years. She has been on the FGI Board of Directors for eight years. She went to The Illinois Institute of Art and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Marketing & Merchandising. In 2004. Before she had the job at the Merchandise Mart she was a sales associate at Nordstrom for two years.
Jazmin Sandoval, Public Relations Director Jazmin is a part time sales associate for Nine West, Jones Corporation. She is the newest member of FGI Chicago. Jazmin attended the International Academy of Design and Technology, received a Bachelor’s degree in 2013. At school she was an active member in Behind the Scenes (Fashion merchandising club). Volunteers in several fashion shows around Chicago. Speaks three languages: English, Spanish and French.
Kathleen A. Haines-Finley, Chicago “Community Liaison” Kathleen Haines-Finley has been a member of the Fashion Group International, Chicago Community for many years serving on the Board of Directors and as Membership Chair. Additionally, Kathleen is the Co-Chair for FGI, Chicago Career Day 2013 scheduled for 11/11/13. Kathleen is the FGI, Chicago “Community Liaison”. In this role, Kathleen will work closely with Industry Leaders, Academic and Government organizations to most effectively coordinate our Volunteer, Mentoring and Internship efforts. For over 20 years, Kathleen has gracefully intertwined Education, Fashion Design, Retail, and Beauty Consulting giving her a broad and deep prospective on these related industries. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology in 1991. Finally, she is currently the Cle de Peau Manager at Neiman Marcus.
Michael Hawley - Chicago Board of Director Michael is presently Vice President of Sales and Marketing for The Fragrance Group, the exclusive U.S. distributor for Lalique Parfums, Parfums de Marly, Tiziana Terenzi and Christian Siriano Fragrances. Michael manages the business nationally at retail partners such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York and Nordstrom. He works closely with the brands on marketing strategies and product development. Michael has previously held executive positions with Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, I. Magnin and Gump’s. Michael Hawley has been a long-standing member and strong supporter of Fashion Group International, Chicago.
Past Events
Current news The most recent upcoming event we have is called “Create A Movement” Delivering the Digital Experience. FGI Chicago has the pleasure of welcoming Gwen Morrison, Co-CEO of The Store, for a presentation on how retailers and brands deliver experience in today’s digital world. Join us for an exciting evening of networking and insight into the fashion industry hightech era.
FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL CHICAGO LAUNCHES FASHION FORWARD CAREER DAY Annual Event Dedicated to Students, “Career Day� Provides a Day of Educational Immersion Supporting Careers in Fashion About Fashion Forward Career Day:
Fashion Group International of Chicago has hosted one of the longest-running and largest fashion career events of its kind in the U.S. For over 35 years, fashion design and merchandising students and faculty from top colleges in the Midwest region attend annually. Fashion Forward Career Day (FFCD) is a one-day educational immersion experience dedicated to students interested in pursuing careers in the areas of fashion and merchandising. Providing an indepth and realistic look at professional opportunities in these fields, FFCD offers an impressive group of industry experts to deliver informative seminars about their particular areas of practice. At the end of the day students are given the opportunity to network with these seasoned professionals, attend a job fair with over 15 hiring companies represented and learn about career opportunities in their respective areas of interest. Fashion Forward Career Day 2013 Mission Statement
Fashion Forward Career Day is dedicated to empowering students emerging into the fields of fashion and merchandising and career success through education, information and interaction with professionals in the industry while fulfilling the mission of Fashion Group International of Chicago to actively promote the business of fashion in our local community and beyond.
For Media or Sponsorship Inquiries, please visit: www.chicago.fgi.org
The Fashion Group International of Chicago, Inc. lisa.ackerman@live.com Phone: 312-527-7751 Fashion Group Int’l., P.O. Box 4012 Chicago, IL 60654 Regional Director Lisa Ackerman lisa.ackerman@live.com 312-527-7751 Membership Chairman Linda Lasala llasala@iadtchicago.com Archivist Jean Meek-Barker 212-302-5511 jmeekbarker@yahoo.com FGI Headquarters Patricia Maffei Director of Membership Services The Fashion Group International, Inc. 8 West 40th Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 302-5511 Fax: (212) 302-5533 Email: pmaffei@fgi.org FGI Regional Representative Linda LaSala (Membership Director) Email: llasala1@earthlink.net