FBI Member Spotlight: Bacci Inc. by Pauline Balmas

Fashion Business, Inc. (501c3) Provides the fashion industry with the resources and

training to support its growth and profitabil-ity. The FBI offers targeted business edu-cation, sourcing, networking opportunities,

marketing and consulting services through its resource center and business partnerships. The FBI exists to ensure the on-going vibran-

cy of the American fashion industry.

CONNECTION June/July 2011

© 2011 Fashion Business Incorporated | 110 East 9th Street, Suite C786 | Los Angeles, CA 90079 | Phone: 213-892-1669

Visit us: www.FashionBizInc.org | E-mail us: info@fashionbiz.org

FBI Sponsors:

Bacci Inc. is a LA based contemporary manufacturer for

women’s fashions. When translated Bacci means kiss in Ital-

ian and is “high style in simplicity to complement everything

in your wardrobe.” The company’s founder Jacob Pirian and

his son, head designer and FBI member Eli, are constantly

developing the Bacci brand to bring fashionable clothing to

women everywhere. Essentially their collaboration with a

“vogue” team of designers, as well as their cut and sew facto-

ries in China, allow them to work with different fabrications

in developing unique and modern classic women’s pieces.

Furthermore, comfort and quality has and will always be the

Bacci standard. “We used to manufacture everything here, but

China offers a much wider range of fabric selection that you

can’t find here in the US,” says Eli.

Even though Bacci Inc. was started over two decades ago, Eli felt it was necessary to

join the FBI in order to learn the business side of fashion and be mentored by the best in the

industry. He has been a member for nearly 2 years now and notes that his experience has

proved extremely beneficial – “Frances gives hands-on experience… Not everything in this

industry is plain black and white and she helped me understand the seemingly gray areas…Her

industry background and the knowledge she shares is truly a valuable part of learning the ins

and outs of what works in the fashion industry today.” In addition, the webinars and workshops

were extremely helpful and allowed him to not only gain an overview of the industry as a whole

but also learn how to truly market and sell his product.

Bacci Inc. is continually gaining popularity not only in America, but abroad as well.

It now caters to many boutiques, specialty and department stores all around the world. For more

information and/or to view their summer collection, visit bacciinc.com

The Fashion Business Inc. (FBI) through the generosity

of the Joyce Eisenberg foundation, owner of the New

Mart Building and president of “The Ben and Joyce Ei-

senberg Foundation”, has recently developed a certified

job training course for displaced patternmakers. The pro-

gram was also developed in partnership with PAD, a pat-

ternmaking software used by apparel manufacturers

throughout the industry. It became apparent to Frances

Harder, President and Founder of the FBI at the LA Tex-

tile Week that there are a high number of qualified pat-

ternmakers who have the technical skills but are not familiar with software that is used through the industry and there-

fore do not have the computer skill necessary to be employable. Qualified participant will receive over 25 hours of train-

ing free of charge to help them better compete in today’s marketplace. Being trained in the PAD program will allow the-

se pattern makers to be much more efficient and thus more valuable employees. However, the training does not stop

with the PAD program; trainees will also learn other skills such as writing formulas for cost and spec sheets in Excel.

They will learn how to link their Pattern Measurements in PAD directly to Excel to assist in creating actual Patterns with

their Tech Packs. Upon completion of the program trainees will also receive career coaching, resume building, and inter-

viewing skills from the FBI, job placement connections being the ultimate goal. One of the trainees Nieves Araujo said

that she recently had an interview but did not get hired due to not being experienced in the use of the PAD software de-

spite having 25 years of experience in pattern making. She says that she wants to better herself and become a more valu-

able asset to future employers. Receiving this training free of charge, Nieves says, is absolutely invaluable to continuing

her career as a pattern maker and would not have been possible without such dedicated institutions in the LA fashion

industry such as the FBI. The FBI contacted corporations facing layoffs, college alumni career services, and apparel spe-

cific job employment agencies to recruit participants.

The FBI is proud to be working with Joyce Eisenberg, PAD and other software providers to offer more pro-

grams such as this much needed industry specific training. “It is vital that we continue to building and developing new

short programs in order to improve the efficiency, employability, and quality of those working in the apparel industry”,

said Frances Harder. “We need to think more out of the box to rebuild our domestic manufacturing and retain our com-

petitive edge.”

FBI and Joyce Eisenberg Provide Certified Job Training to Displaced

Qualified Pattern Makers by Jason Matthias

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© 2011 Fashion Business Incorporated | 110 East 9th Street, Suite C786 | Los Angeles, CA 90079 | Phone: 213-892-1669

PAD Training being offered at the FBI office at the Cal-Mart

Inside Story Headline

FBI Workshop and Seminar Calendar

FBI and VEDC Present: Where’s the Money? 7th Annual Access to Capital Business Expo June 25th, 2011 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Event Fee: $10 (Register at www.vedc.org)

FREE! FBI Members Only Monthly Forum - Ask an Expert (ONLINE) June 27th, 2011 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Members must RSVP to get log on information.

MAGIC Bootcamp June 28th, 2011 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM This event is complimentary and the Seminar will be followed by an industry mixer from 4:30- 5:30pm. Please, register online so we can accommodate accurately.

Flat Sketching in Adobe Illustrator (Intermediate Flats) June 25th, 2011 10:00 AM—4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95

Adobe Illustrator Brush Workshop June 29th, 2011 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95

FREE! MAGIC Bootcamp (ONLINE) July 7th, 2011 5:00 PM—6:00 PM This event is complimentary, but please __ register to receive log-in information.

Garment Costing July 9th, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Members: $40 | Non-members: $60

Fashion Illustration Using Photoshop July 9th, 2011 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95

Adobe Illustrator 'Pen Tool' Master Workshop July 13th, 2011 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95

Hiring the “Right” Sales Representative July 16th, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Members: $40 | Non-members: $60

EDI Bootcamp (ONLINE) July 16th, 2011 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Members: $180 | Non-members: $225

Adobe Illustrator Basic Flats July 20th, 2011 10 AM - 4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95 Tech Packs in Excel July 27th, 2011 -10 AM - 4:30 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95 Sales Plan and Budget and Marketing Plan and Budget July 30th, 2011 10 AM - 5:00 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95 Basic Digital Photography Using Photoshop July 30th, 2011 10 AM - 5:00 PM Members: $75 | Non-members: $95

© 2011 Fashion Business Incorporated | 110 East 9th Street, Suite C786 | Los Angeles, CA 90079 | Phone: 213-892-1669

CONNECTION

Seminars and workshops will take place at Fashion Business Inc.

Classes are subject to change please check our website for updates.

For more information on class descriptions and registration, please

visit www.fashionbizinc.org

Inside Story Headline

© 2011 Fashion Business Incorporated | 110 East 9th Street, Suite C786 | Los Angeles, CA 90079 | Phone: 213-892-1669

CONNECTION

Check out two of our resource partners and take advantage of the valuable services they have to offer!

Robert Greenspan, a Los Angeles based Certified Public Accountant and consultant, specializes in the apparel and textile

industry. He provides financial planning, cash flow analysis, profitability analysis and strategic planning for internal growth,

mergers and acquisitions, and exit strategies. www.greenspanconsult.com

Smart. Stylish.Social.Cutting-edge e-commerce solution for upscale specialty sellers.Broadcast products throughout the internet to drive sales &

brand awareness. See what's new from charming boutique sellers. Discover that perfect treasure, made by a talented local artist or brought back

from distant lands. Share your shopping finds with friends & fans.www.shoppista.com

Some also call it “Shop n Go”. Whatever name you choose to call it, it is a blend of traditional retailing with

event marketing. This original concept was based on Japanese consumer culture and its devotion to rare and limited edition prod-

ucts. Initially, at a moment’s notice, customers would arrive at a clandestine location that housed a particular brand, designer or

product. Once the products were sold out, usually within a matter of hours, the store would be closed until the owner received more

products and was able reopen the store again. The concept is simple enough: find a vacant empty space for a day, weekend, a week

or a month and send private invites by e-mail with invite codes for special discounts.

It seems that temporary retailing is here to stay and this new concept in selling can be a fresh new way to sell and mer-

chandise. With U.S. retail vacancy rates at the highest levels in a decade, there's no shortage of space. Borders Group has closed

many stores and is now popping-up stores around the country, most of them in malls where the bookseller used to have a presence.

This method of selling product and getting attention of the consumer is taking off. It seems that most pop-up stores are selling ap-

parel. Like the monthly sample sales we have at the apparel marts it seems that people love to think they are getting a deal and at

the same time something special. Or, you could compare it to Trunk Shows where you have a designer take their merchandise to

retail stores and for one event each season show their line and sell to a select invited group. Maybe sipping champagne and munch-

ing caviar while watching professional models show the designer’s new line.

So, for a retailer this type of selling could be exciting, profitable and an alternative to the traditional methods of

retailing apparel. Staging events each week with new product, or brands then incorporating new social media marketing methods

could be an interesting addition to include in your plans for opening a store.

Pop Up Store - Pop up Retailing - Flash Retailing by Frances Harder

“Pop-up retail, also known as pop-up store (pop-up shop in the UK) or flash retailing, is a trend of opening short-term sales spaces in the

United States and the United Kingdom. A pop-up retail space is a venue that is temporary — the space could be a sample sale one day

and host a private cocktail party the next evening. The trend involves “popping-up” one day then disappearing anywhere from one day to

several weeks later. These shops, while small and temporary, can build up interest by consumer exposure. Pop-up retail allows a compa-

ny to create a unique environment that engages their customers, as well as generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity. They are

often used by marketers for seasonal items such as Halloween costumes, Christmas gifts and Christmas trees, or fireworks. The term is

often applied to shops offering items of apparel, where the shop is intended less to transact profitable sales than to promote demand for

the goods and thereby produce profitable business at other locations, or in modes other than walk-in stores.” - From Wikipedia