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TFI Newsletter November 2023


Greetings!

In this month's issue we're focused on growing your sales and bringing money into your business. To kick things off, we're presenting an event with one of our volunteer mentors, Heidi Ruggier, president and founder of Matte PR. Those of you who have had an opportunity to be mentored by Heidi know that she is a social media expert who is passionate about helping fashion entrepreneurs. Check it out below.

Next up, we've highlighted two award nominations, a free "Grow Your Sales" resource, an exciting opportunity to participate in a group event at Paris Fashion Week organized by MMode in Montreal, and an invitation to join us at our holiday networking social on December 6th. How can a networking social help grow your sales, you ask? You never know who you'll meet, and what connections you'll make! Our last event in September sold out a week before the event so be sure to register soon.

We hope you'll enjoy the read,

Team TFI
www.fashionincubator.com
BIG NEWS!

Matte PR Talks x TFI
is now a webinar and
FREE for TFI members
Due to popular demand, our in-person event has changed to an online webinar so Canadians from coast-to-coast can participate. Plus, this event is now free for all TFI members!

TFI MEMBERS:
CONTACT US FOR YOUR PROMO CODE AND A DISCOUNT FOR YOUR GUESTS

The webinar takes place on November 23, 2022,
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm ET. Register here.
Matte PR discusses influencer relations, teaching brands how to create an earned influencer relations program. The talk will also outline how to analyze the results to inform future paid programs. Attendees will walk away ready to collaborate with content creators.

We asked Heidi why this is a must-attend event: “I often get asked if social media influencers still hold influence. The answer is a resounding yes. Our internal agency data shows us that compared to other forms of digital marketing, influencer relations come up as the number one way to drive growth. That’s why we decided to host this talk for TFI’s community. We wanted to share and help brands focus resources on growth tactics that drive results.”

Here’s what else you need to know:

  • A recent survey from Afterpay uncovered younger generations are almost twice as likely to purchase a product based on the recommendation of an influencer. 
  • A recent Business of Fashion report states that 69% of Gen Z rely on social media as their leading source of inspiration on what clothing and accessories to buy. 
  • An insight from Goldman Sachs states the Millennial generation is the largest since the Baby Boomers, and as they reach their prime working years, they will soon represent 75% of your customer base.

Take the first step in growing your sales by registering now. Click here.

TFI MEMBERS: This event is free for you. Contact us to get your promo code and a discount for your guests.
Save the Date!
Our Black Friday Sale Is
Nov 25 - 28
It's back! From November 25 to 28, 2022, take advantage of our once-a-year 50% off membership sale!

Use PROMO CODE 50off2022 to save 50% off a one-year TFI Outreach or Affiliate individual membership.

Use this opportunity to join, renew or extend your membership and gain another 120 minutes of FREE mentoring time! With the holidays quickly approaching, this is the perfect gift for the fashion entrepreneur in your circle.
Nominate a Start-up:
They Can Win $1,000
Nominate your favorite local small business by answering Moneris' #CallforSmall and give them a chance to win one of five $1,000 grants.

Any qualifying Canadian small business owner that has been in operation for at least one year can be nominated (excluding Quebec).

For full details click here. Nominations close November 16, 2022, 8:00 pm ET.
Have You Registered Yet?
Let's get social and celebrate the holidays! Please join us on December 6, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at TFI for some festive networking with the fashion industry. Enjoy complimentary wine and nibbles, and get your photo taken by event photographer Inga Sokol.

TFI MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A PROMO CODE FOR FREE ACCESS AND A DISCOUNT FOR YOUR GUESTS

FREE for TFI members
$10 per guest escorted by a TFI member
$25 general admission
This is a 19+ event

CLICK HERE to register before we sell out!
Sponsored by Startup Canada
#StartupSocial
Show Your Line in Paris
Registrations for MMode's Mission Paris 2023 are now being accepted until December 9, 2022.

Taking place at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, France, on March 1, 2023, this in-person showroom coincides with Paris Fashion Week.

Approximately 15 - 18 Canadian fashion brands will be selected. Brands must be a member of MMode.

For details and an application form, click here.
OWIT Award Nominations
OWIT-Toronto is proud to recognize the achievements of women who, through their careers and personal commitments, foster international trade and the advancement of women in business.

They are now accepting nominations for the 2022 Export Awards for:

  • Excellence Award for Leadership in International Trade
  • Woman Exporter of the Year
  • Student of International Trade

Nominate your favourite leader, exporter and/or student here. The deadline for nominations is November 18, 2022, 5:00 pm ET.
FYF Class 7
Protecting Your Business
Interested in learning how to protect your ideas and designs, and what to do if your samples are stolen or damaged? Tune in to Class 7 in our Fashion Your Future webinar series.

Led by TFI mentor Huma Aslam, you'll learn about the kind of risks your business could face and how to proactively prepare for them. This lesson discusses:

  • Theft from your studio or on the road
  • Copyright vs. Trademarks
  • Intellectual Property (IP) infringements
  • Binding legal agreements
  • Why you need business insurance
  • The importance of creating a partnership agreement if you start a business with a friend, relative or colleague
  • Required information to include on a product label

Click here to view Fashion Your Future.
Each episode is $25 per view
Make It Fashion Series at TIFF
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will be presenting "Make it Fashion", a retrospective of 14 films spanning a century of fashion houses in film, from December 2 to 30, 2022, at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto.

A series of events is scheduled on opening weekend, including the opening night film, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette on Friday, December 2nd, preceded by a special runway show from Fashion Art Toronto, and on December 3rd, In Conversation With…Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever costume-designer Ruth E. Carter.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on November 30. Click here for more info.
Grow Your Sales
A FREE Resource from TFI
Most fashion startups focus their time and attention into designing and developing the perfect product but if it doesn't sell, you won't generate any funds to finance your next collection.

At TFI, we understand that creative entrepreneurs prefer designing over selling but since selling is a necessity we've created a FREE learning resource, Grow Your Sales. Developed by TFI mentor Patricia Butler, this quick guide shares proven tips and strategies to generate sales.

Click here and look for this FREE download in the Grab & Grow section on the TFI site.
In Other News

  • Stay tuned for news about the Canadian brands participating in SHOWROOM CANADA 2023!

  • The Textile Museum of Canada is holding an event at 2:00 pm ET on December 3, 2022, with Dr. Ingrid Mida, as she goes "behind the seams" to analyze selected artifacts from the museum's collection. Dr. Mida will share her "Slow Approach to Seeing" and other research tips from her books The Dress Detective (2015) and Reading Fashion in Art (2020). She will also introduce her latest book Dressing and Undressing Duchamp (released on October 22, 2022) which seeks to unravel the relationship between fashion and art. Tickets are $20 general public, $15 for Textile Museum members, and $10 for students. Click here for more info.

  • The Met Gala, formerly known as "The Costume Institute Benefit", is taking place on May 1, 2023. This year's theme is entitled “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" and is based on the creative works of the late designer, Karl Lagerfeld. An exhibition featuring Lagerfeld's work from the 1950s until 2019 will be on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from May 5 to July 16, 2023.

  • Canadian outerwear brand, Canada Goose, is expanding its retail footprint to four US cities: Las Vegas, Denver, Aspen and Detroit. According to Bloomberg, Canada Goose recently reported its second quarter earnings announcing that revenue grew to $277.2 M driven by continued overall strong performance in North America and wholesale growth.

  • Click here for a fascinating overview from Goldman Sachs about Millennials, those born between 1980 and 2000. Gain demographic insights for this group whose priorities, expectations and shopping preferences are vastly different from previous generations. As the Millennial generation is the largest demographic since the Baby Boomers, brands would be wise to pivot and adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.

  • Parsons School of Design in New York City has partnered with Roblox Corp. to develop a 16-week collaborative course that will allow students to create 3D digital apparel with a focus on research, prototyping and physical fashion for immersive environments. The course will launch in spring 2023. The last day to register is February 5, 2023. Click here for more info.