I first heard about Karen Giberson (President of the Accessories Council) and the Accessories Council through my dear friends and founders of Collective-E. I went in one day to meet with Karen and joined Accessories Council as a member. I place a high priority on networking and felt it was the right thing to do. I am so glad I did, Karen has helped me with some really important decisions with Di Manno Designs, I cannot thank her enough. I never even took 1 business course in college, so everything I have learned I have had to teach myself through other people's knowledge in webinars, classes, one on one's, networking events and simply just asking questions. You would be surprised just how much you can learn this way and it's free! So groups like Accessories Council and Collective-E have been very valuable to me starting my business. I've learned so much from them in the last 2 years.
You can never do enough networking and Accessories Council is an outlet where you can do just that. They have panels and events where you can go, listen, learn and meet all different types of people in the industry. Most events are free for members. I really enjoyed the Doneger Group presentation, hosted by the Accessories Council I attended, where they did an animated overview of trends for the season on the accessories and fashion industry. It was like a sneak peek preview of what was to come out in fashion, very cool! Great for brainstorming new lines! You can set up your company profile online on their website http://www.accessoriescouncil.org/ where retailers are free to check out your brand. Accessories Council is not-for-profit, has been around since 1995 and has over 150 corporations as members including brand names, designers, publications, retailers and associated providers for the accessories, eye wear and footwear industries.
For me, Karen's knowledge of the business and eagerness to help out up and coming designers has been the greatest benefit of being an Accessories Council member. For more information on Accessories Council, go to: http://www.accessoriescouncil.org/
Thank you Karen for all of your help, insight and inspiration! You have been amazing!:)
In the picture above Karen Giberson and I at the Next Generation awards event.
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