Fashion Business Inc - FBI: Open For Business

FBI: Open For Business

FBI: Open For Business The organization formerly known as the Fashion Business Incubator (FBI) has a new name: Fashion Business Inc. "We are incorporating to help small companies," said Frances Harder, founder and president of the 4-year-old organization. FBI celebrated its new name and new Resource & Training Center at the New Mart in downtown Los Angeles with an open house in the New Mart's third-floor theater and exhibition space. The event featured a VIP reception, dinner and fashion show hosted by stylist Brenda Cooper and Los Angeles Times fashion writer Michael Quintanilla. (Both Cooper and Quintanilla wore designs by FBI member company Mona & Co.)

The evening's honorees included Los Angeles mayor James Hahn, Councilman Nick Pacheco, New Mart owner Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer, American Apparel owner Dov Charney and Ken Lombard, president of the board of the Department of Water and Power (DWP) Commissioners. The mayor took the opportunity to praise the apparel business, citing the 145,000 jobs the industry represents. "Los Angeles will be the fashion capital of the nation," he said. Councilman Pacheco up on the runway was honored for his "generous support of the fashion industry." Pacheco's district covers part of the Fashion District, including the New Mart and the California Market Center. And Charney was recognized for his support of the local industry. Harder's organization was founded to assist small and growing apparel manufacturers. The non-profit group hosts business seminars on such topics as creating linesheets, securing financing and marketing a line. FBI recently secured grants from DWP and the City of Los Angeles for nearly $300,000, which helped build the new 4,800-square-foot center.

The center has a showroom, computer lab, photo studio and seminar room. "Los Angeles is made up of these small manufacturers and they need to know how to get to the next level," Harder said, adding that Federated Department Stores' divisions Macy's West and Bon Marche were scheduled to meet with 11 FBI members the following day. The group fashion show recognized some of Los Angeles' "best-ofs" with a theme that spotlighted the city's diverse landscape.

Designers and manufacturers featured in the show included FBI members Blue Cult, Couture, the Clothing Co., Charmaine Wells, DRC, Hanna Hartnell, Honeybee My Girl, Magda Knits, "O" Maillots de Bain, Suzi Click, Sky and Victory as well as non-members Karl Kani, Lost International, O'Neill and Ocean Pacific. Categories including 'PCH", "Bel-Air Pool Party" and "Valley Girls" featured surf, swim and sport, while other categories including "Rodeo Drive," "Latin L.A.," "Hollywood Blvd." and "Melrose" highlighted a more contemporary side. "L.A. Hip Hop" and "L.A. Nights" featured men's sportswear with a little flavor. Closing the show was a category called "Oscar Nights" with gowns donated by Richard Tyler, David Cardona, Casadei, Bisou Bisou, Mandalay, David Hayes and Magid Bernard to be auctioned off.

—Alison A. Nieder and Joselle Yokogawa
California Apparel News, Friday, July 05, 2002