Forget Facebook. Linked In is for Fashion Professionals!

admin    T-Shirt Marketing     Facebook. Linkedin.com, Linked In, Linkedin, fashion industry, fashion industry networking, fashion marketing, fashion networking, fashion professionals

I’ve just spent the weekend testing the absolute limits of my Macbook, attempting to develop some of my most complex and extravagant designs yet, and no matter what I do the processor is struggling. So whilst I wait a while for my graphics suite to groan into action I think this would be an opportune moment to introduce you to LinkedIn.com – the Facebook for professionals, and in this case t-shirt professionals.

I am not really one for social networking as it happens, I have joined many, I submit my posts to quite a few social bookmarking sites and even drum up a little support for Threadless votes on a few of them, but when it comes to the t-shirt industry it’s all boiled down to pot luck so far. The thing is many networks paint a rather broad stroke when it comes to niche markets and industries, I’ve even found myself starting t-shirt related groups (with few takers) because most systems inherently avoid specific niches and favour communities such as ‘fashion’ or even ‘celebrity fashion’ over designer t-shirts.

However I recently stumbled across one community I have been aware of for some time but not got around to joining so far, until today and that is Linked In, a very large and popular community for professionals in every industry under the sun. Amongst the thousands of markets catered for they yet again they favour the general fashion industry as a whole, rather than any particular niche. Yet there seems to be a vital difference here compared to most, and that is the membership, there are some true stars of online fashion retailing and design here and a whole heap of vibrant fashion-based groups to subscribe to. Here’s a breakdown of those I feel are relevant to myself and hopefully all of you as well, the signup process is fast and simple and after a short wait most groups will approve your membership, and I’d say it was well worth the wait.

As with Facebook.com you’ll find Alumni and networking groups, but beyond that are corporate, professional, conference and non-profit groups for just about any industry you can think of. Using the handy search tool I’ve located and consequently joined quite a few fashion-based groups that might find worth investigating in your own time, however here’s a quick rundown of what I’ve discovered at LinkedIn.com so far. (You will of course have to join LinkedIn before you can join any of these groups).

The Rolling Rack – (visit their blog) – you can get an invitation to there group here. Rolling Rack screens applicants to ensure the integrity of the group. All members must be in or have recent employment history within the Fashion/Apparel industry as do most of the networks listed. Gary Montgomery runs their blog and Linkedin community and has some very serious contacts in the industry so it’s well worth applying to RR. Members as diverse as couture designers, high-level company executives, retail designers, buyers, merchandisers, public relations professionals, photographers, and make-up artists come together to swap industry tips and advice as well as make vital connections for their business future. Many of their members represent some of the biggest names in the industry including Armani, Estee Lauder, Benneton, Lacoste, Guess, Puma, Nike, Calvin Klein, La Perla, Lloyd Klein Couture, Girbaud and Levi’s!

T-shirts – Group designed for anyone selling, designing or related to t-shirts. Owner: Kevin Gudmundsen.

Fashion Buyers and Designers – A group for designers, fashion and accessories purchasing professionals. All membership will be reviewed prior to acceptance. Owner: Rahel Brunner.

Fashion Marketing & Digital Media Group (FMG): A Meeting Place for Fashion & Marketing Professionals – The Fashion Marketing Group (FMG) is a business networking platform for executives who are passionate about fashion, marketing, digital media, and culture. Network here with top recruiters, ad agencies, brands, investors, retailers, and emerging talent. Welcome to FMG. I’d recommend this as a place for those involved in fashion marketing rather than design and production, although in general most of us in the t-shirt industry have to do both. The owner Jonathan Cheriff is a New Business Development, Online Marketing and Creative Technologist in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Fashion Retailers - This group is for Fashion Retailers to expand our networks, business development opportunities, and ideas. Owner: Jillian OrRico

StyleCareers – The StyleCareers LinkedIn group is a networking hub for experienced, fashion industry professionals. Like StyleCareers.com, the StyleCareers LinkedIn group is focused on the wholesale/home office side of the fashion industry. Owner: Chris Kidd.

Fashion & Life Style Network – This one is available to the general public and provides some good market research opportunites. The Lifestyle, Fashion, Shopping hub! For Models, Artists, Actors, Designers, Stylists, Make up artists, Photographers, Videographers & all of who love fashion, lifestyle & entertainment. Owner: Jaya Patil of NirvanaStyle.com.

Fashion Solutions – Open minded networkers with Passion for Fashion who are looking for IT solutions that combine creativity and flexibility. Entrepeneurs and “out of the box” thinkers who want to be able to deliver that competitve advantage that Fashion is looking for. Let us combine our creativity!
Owner: Marnix Wolters (Experienced international IS executive in Fashion || Manager Operations at Pebblestone)

Fashion Designers Guild – This is a group that allows Fashion Designers (product or textile) with 2 or more years experience to network about anything in the fashion world. If you want to join please don’t forget to send the group leader an email to get you signed up right away! Owner: Todd Davis.

Managers in Apparel & Fashion – Managers in Apparel & Fashion. Owner: David Veerbeek.

MAFIA EVENTS organises the London Business Networking Events.E vents are open to the following industries: Art, Fashion, Design, Lifestyle Business / Finance PR / Marketing / Media. Owner: Nathalie Simond.

F-Link – F(ashion)-Link is the executive network group for professionals working in the Fashion Industry. It enables members to identify career opportunities and to share information about companies, roles and sectors. Let’s Join & Share! Owner: Peter Eiselin.

International Fashion & Apparel Association – The International Fashion and Apparel Association is a global network of professionals in the fashion and apparel industry who are dedicated to enhancing and improving the industry. IFAA members will foster an environment to promote effective networking, and development for its members. Owner: Russell Kronenburg.

JBCStyle Fashion Careers Network - This group has been established as a resource to a career within the Fashion Industry. JBCStyle (with offices in NYC, Los Angles and Orange County). JBCStyle is the leading full-service recruiting agency with a focus on the Fashion, Beauty, Action Sports, Retail and Home industries. Owner: J. Zaslow (JBCStyle & Jonathan Beth Consultants).

Fashion Works – Formed to set up channel for budding and established fashion designer to share and sell there work , effort to bring the artist and the entrepreneur to-gather for mutual benefit supported by Modstyl – Design Pvt ltd which is being promoted by fashion designer. Owner: Preeti Jhawar (Fashion Designer, CEO ModStyl Designs Pvt Ltd.).

Creative Artists and Designer Network - This group aims to further links between creative artists (painters, composers, writers, etc. ) and non-technical designers (fashion, graphics, jewellery, etc.) or artisans.

International SAP Fashion Professionals – International SAP Fashion Professionals mission is to provide SAP AFS and Retail professionals of the Fashion Industry with opportunities to network, share best practices, and build outstanding expertise within a collaborative environment. Owner: Claudio Bertone.

Fashion addicted - We love fashion and style… another general fashion fan group. Owner: Barbara Moretti.

Fashion Facts – Writers, journalists and freelancers on fashion and the fashion industry. Owner: Makiri Mual (Editor-in-chief at Blauw Media Publishers).

There are literally a hundred more fashion related groups at LinkedIn right now, many with serious high-profile industry leaders at the helm. If you’ve ever considered promoting your t-shirts to the retailing giants these should all give you a head start.

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!