AICI GLODIRECTB SALEAS ISSLUE DIANAJAPAN S AYS “HCALLINELLORGOss!” MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON EVA KOECK DIRECT SALES INDUSTRY GOES FOR A MAKEOVER LEssONS FROM A FORMER MLM REP PRIVATE LABELS: THE MLM ALTERNATIVE MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK - JAPAN DESIGNERS, TRENDS, EXPERIENCE CALLING APRIL 2014 Education. Experience. Excellence. 2014 AICI BOARD OF DIRECTORS EDITOR’S NOTE President – Jane Seaman, AICI CIP SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND SO ARE THE LATEST Past President – DESIGNS THAT WE SAW ON NEW YORK FASHION Kimberly Law, AICI CIP Week’S RUNWAYS LAST FALL. MODERN TIMES Secretary – REQUIRE US TO LOOK AHEAD TO PREPARE Cindy Ann Peterson, AICI FLC FOR CLIENTS. SO, FOR THE FIRST TIMe, we’re Treasurer – FEATURING AICI FLC MEMBER CINDY ANN Joanne Rae, AICI CIP PETERSon’S FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT AND PHOTOS VP Certification – Delby Bragais, AICI CIP OF HER FALL 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK VP Chapter Relations – ADVENTURES. TO BE HONEST, I’M A BIT ENVIOUS, Riet M. de Vlieger, AICI CIP YET THRILLED She’S SHARING ALL THE DETAILS. VP Education – Christina Ong, AICI CIM The cover subject will surely be met with controversy as we delve into the growing VP Communications – direct-selling industry, including multi-level marketing. The reactions I’ve heard from Coca Sevilla, AICI FLC image consultants range from “It provides solutions for clients as well as revenue,” to VP Fund Development – “I run the other way!” Concerns about initial investments, income potential, business Imogen Lamport, AICI CIP ethics, product effectiveness and risk, and losing friends are all common themes VP International Relations – sprawled across the internet. Chris Loney and I take a hard look at the industry’s Valerie Antoinette Berset-Price, AICI FLC attempt to overcome negative perceptions in “Direct Sales Industry Goes For A VP Marketing – Makeover.” Our own members Dawn Stebbing and Yasmin Anderson-Smith share Zayna Mosam, AICI CIP their direct sales experiences and advice, while Debra Lindquist talks about private VP Membership – labels as an alternative. I hope the information will help you decide which models and Carolina Bejar, AICI CIP products, if any, is a smart addition to your business model. Executive Director – Andrew Shelp Last, but not least, AICI would like to congratulate Eva Koeck-Eripek on earning her Certified Image Master designation. She joins nine other members in this highest level AICI HEADQUARTERS of recognition from her peers. The International Board encourages you to pursue your 1000 Westgate Drive, Ste. 252 certification as part of your professional growth and success in our global community. St. Paul, MN 55114-1067 Phone: 651-290-7468 Cheers, Fax: 651-290-2266 Thea Wood www.AICI.org Editor-in-Chief AICI, FLC Comments about the magazine? [email protected] The Association of Image Consultants International | 3 PUBLICATION CREDITS Issue 6 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Thea Wood, AICI FLC MANAGING EDITOR Grant Harris VP COMMUNICATIONS Coca Sevilla, AICI FLC VP FUND DEVELOPMENT (ADVERTISING) Imogen Lamport, AIC CIP FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS Chris Loney Yasmin Anderson-Smith, AICI CIP Karen Agustin-Ostrea, AICI FLC, CPC Cindy Ann Peterson, AICI FLC Jane Seaman, AICI CIP Donna Whitmore Eva Koeck-Eripek, AICI CIM Adena DiTonno Carrie LaShell, AICI FLC PROOFREADERS Bernie Burson, AICI FLC Susan Hesselgrave AICI GLOBAL is produced quarterly by Association of Image Consultants International, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the level of professionalism and enhancing the recognition of image consultants. AICI GLOBAL promotes AICI’s ideas, activities, interests and goals to its members. Responsibility is not assumed for the opinions of writers or other articles. AICI GLOBAL does not endorse or guarantee the products and services it advertises. 2014© Association of Image Consultants International. All rights reserved. No part of this online publication may be duplicated or reproduced without permission from the publisher. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of information included in the magazine at the time of publication, the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising from errors or omissions. Twitter: https://twitter.com/AICI_Global Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AICI/123700737653232 4 | April 2014 magazine Inside This Issue PG06 PG24 APPEARANCE & STYLE COMMUNICATIONS & ETIQUETTE MBFW - Designers, Experience, Trends 06 - 09 Fashion Week Etiquette ....................... 24 Diana Olson Says “HelloRoss!” .......... 26 PG 10 PG26 BUSINESS Private Labels - An MLM Alternative .10 BETWEEN US Lessons Learned in Direct Sales ........... 13 Member Spotlight: Eva Koeck-Eperik .26 Solution Based, Passion Driven ........... 15 CIM: Rising To The Top ..................... 28 Upcoming Events ............................... 30 Japan Calling ....................................... 32 PG Atlanta Sparks The Fire ....................... 33 18 Mexico’s Fashion NOW ..................... 34 SFBA Chapter Puts The “I” In Image 36 FEATURE Direct Slaes Industry Goes For A Makeover .................................. 18 Fashion-Related MLM’s in the US ........ 1 Fashion-Related MLM’s in the UK ..... 23 The Association of Image Consultants International | 5 STYLE MerCedes-BenZ FASHION WeeK THE DESIGNERS, THE TRENDS, THE EXPERIENCE By Cindy Ann Peterson, AICI FLC Giada Curti - Haute Couture of Roma esigners are back in control of their show. It was interesting that last September, award-winning designer Oscar de la Renta shared with the press his frustration with the “Megashows,” and that he was cutting his guest list to a maximum of 350 people. He would target an audience with a “legitimate professional purpose to see the clothes up Dclose and in person.” Adding, “Why have 20 million people with zero connection to the clothes?” It costs approximately $250,000 to show a collection at fashion week. Buyers, retailers, and fashion editors (those who have the most direct impact on the designer) should not have to fight to have a seat in the house. Having an exclusive guest list ensures access for those who really have a purpose. At this year’s New York Fashion Week, numerous designers apparently shared these sentiments as a number of the events pulled out of Lincoln Center in favor of smaller, more exclusive shows from Manhattan to Brooklyn. This made it challenging for those covering these events, as they had to run from Soho to the Meat Packing District to Lower East End, Chelsea Piers, Milk Studios, The Hudson, etc. Then add the Nor’easter (tundra-like gales and temps) and the real fun began. As the DC Fashion and Style Editor for a digital newspaper to cover the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I experienced the frustrations of having to get from one venue to another. Arriving a day early, I picked up my media pass and looked to see where the tents were for the week’s events. The MBFW website’s event schedule easily downloads, but you need an invitation to attend shows and must contact the design house’s PR reps. This is shared with your registration with MBFW. Even with a media press pass you still need an invitation to the show. For those who want to attend fashion week events without a press pass, American Express Concierge services (for Platinum cardholders only) offers skybox tickets. Contact AMEX at least one month in advance. If you are unable to attend, don’t fret. Mercedes-Benz streams shows that are managed by IMG Worldwide, so you can watch in real time. This year Diane Von Furstenberg celebrates her iconic wrap dress’ 40th anniversary. I was not able to get my ticket confirmation for the DVF show, so I was unable to join the celebration. Aside from the shows featured below, I did attend an “Anti-Fashion” fashion event at the Strange Loop Gallery (Lower Eastside) featuring three artists. It included a clothing swap. At The Asian Collection, I met super model Janice Dickerson. We saw six design students hailing from Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, who competed for a chance to appear at MBFW. 6 | April 2014 magazine The Association of Image Consultants International | 7 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Stern in 2003. According to the New One highlight for me was the York Magazine’s The Cutt®, Stern’s kindness shown by all the great people of designs are “rock-music-influenced” New York, from the cabbies to the hotel and “are edgy and adventurous” with to New York’s police officers who helped “courtesan-style corsets, leather, fur, me navigate Lincoln Center’s sleet- marabou,” etc.… per her signatures. covered steps. This is a collection of mostly evening I enjoyed making new friendships wear that one might see on the red with WWD and Oslo’s press team, and carpet or a 21st century wedding. The had a great conversation with David soft patterns and colors recall an era of Wolfe, Executive Director of The luxurious fabrics and high society. Doneger Group. For the modern bride who wants AICI’s own Catherine Schuller, vintage in the modern world, take a look AICI CIP hosted the “Runway the Real at Venexiana by Kati Stern for Fall/Winter Way: Innovative Integration” Brunch. 2014. A soft lavender, seafoam or ecru Showcasing designers Ccuoco, Rated gown might be all the rage for 2014. PG Chic-13, Van Go Karoar, Onoz by Read the full Venexiana report here. Amelile Maublanc, and Fleaq (Preview of Andreis’ Clothing Line) at Yotel, NYC. BADGLEY MISCHKA: After the Pamella Roland event I spoke IMPressive faLL COLLectioN WITH Gianni Tolentino of Milano with photographer/model Nigel Barker. FTL Moda and Art Hearts: Seven VIENNESE INFLUENCE style shows was the Fashion Week finale. Just one glimpse at the works of the “Walking the length Each day was an adventure. Can’t Badgley Mischka duo and one cannot wait until September! help but come away with the sense of of the runway, old Hollywood glamour. A visit to their Johnson, age 71, DESIGUAL REPORT: website finds James Mischka declaring COLLectioN MAKES FALL “Our style harks back to the glamorous did her signature FASHION BRIGHT AND FUN Hollywood of the Forties.” Desigual is a Spanish textile and Just as the Spring collection found cartwheel and splits fashion company based in Barcelona.