Fashion Business Inc - Influential in 2002

Influential in 2002

Frances Harder, Fashion Business Incorporated

Frances Harder is the founder, president and executive director of Fashion Business, Inc. (FBI)-and she's the 2-year-old non-profit's public persona, turning up at industry events to support FBI members, reinforce the FBI message and seek out new support for the organization. The group helps up-and-coming design firms fine-tune their business skills by offering business training courses on such issues as securing financing, drafting a business plan and finding a sales representative.

In March, Harder landed three grants that enabled FBI to expand its headquarters from 800 square feet to a 4,800-square-foot space that houses a showroom, computer lab with 25 computers, photo studio and training room. The trio of grants-totaling nearly $300,000-came from the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power.

Harder has also landed the support of Mayor Hahn's office and district councilman Nick Pacheco, both of whom turned out for FBI's annual fund-raiser in June, when members of the fashion community were treated to a tour of the new facilities and a fashion show featuring some of the group's members. At that time, Harder also announced the group's name change from Fashion Business Incubator to Fashion Business, Incorporated. FBI followed that up with a runway show held at the California Market Center (CMC) during Los Angeles Fashion Week in November.

The tenacious Harder has proved herself to be an unflagging advocate for FBI and its 200 members. FBI is housed in space donated by the New Mart, and FBI members have been given subsidized space in the CMC during past markets.California Apparel News, Thursday, December 19, 2002