Rhode Island Chronicle

Launching A Fashion Line Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center was a huge success with several hundred in attendance. The conference was produced and presented by Fashion Designer StormyWeather Banks to help upcoming fashion designers and entrepreneurs make connections, grow their business and career in the fashion industry. 

For over 20 years, Banks has been a respected award-winning wedding dress designer, fashion designer, business owner, and educator based out of Los Angeles. She has been a fashion design instructor at Cerritos College, Omaha Metropolitan Junior College, and Bellevue Junior College. Currently, she owns and operates a small boutique in the City of Bellflower called StormyWeather Designs. The 1400-square-foot boutique carries a beautiful blend of high fashion items, jewelry, handbags, accessories, footwear, jackets, and edgy apparel. 

The one-day conference was filled with connecting-the-connects of the fashion industry featuring top-notch speakers in fashion, business, finance, and law from across Los Angeles County. This year’s speakers included Attorney Irene Y. Lee (Law Office of Russ August & Kabat), Randy Trig (Small Business Marketing Specialist & Best Selling Author), TJ Walker (Cross Colours Clothing, TJ Walker Enterprises & Black Design Collective), Jonathon Santos & Medin Gebrezgier (The Santos Media Group, LLC.), and Joseph Park (Executive V.P. of ABC Sewing Machine). During the conference, ABC Sewing Machine gave away two Juki Single Needle sewing machines. The winners were super excited!

Conference attendees were eager to learn from the speakers, hear their experiences, and success stories. The speakers and session topics included:

Elvis Prince Tognia – Conference Moderator.

Attorney Irene Y. Lee, partner at Russ August & Kabat, where she focuses her practice on all aspects of intellectual property, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, right of publicity, and technology licensing. As a registered patent attorney, Irene employs her patent prosecution experience in strategizing patent litigation and licensing issues. Irene represents clients in a wide range of industries, including integrated circuits, biotechnology, medical devices, computer software, housewares, household products, baby products, food and beverages, jewelry, and apparel. Irene has extensive experience in trademark prosecution, litigation, and licensing with an emphasis on global brand expansion and management through strategic trademark and copyright protection and enforcement programs. Session Topic: “Trademark, Copyright, and Business Entity”. For more information, email [email protected].

Randy Trigg, Small Business Marketing Specialist & Best Selling Author of the Amazon #1 best selling book “My customer said what about me online”. Certified small business marketing specialist for over 10 years. Executive board member of “My Fruity Faces” a small business that was featured on the Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank”. Session Topic: “Marketing, Branding, Ecommerce, and Internet Marketing”. For more information, email [email protected].

TJ Walker of Cross Colours Clothing, TJ Walker Enterprises & Black Design Collective rose to the top almost instantly, outfitting the hottest celebrities (like TLC and Tupac) and spreading positive messages that aimed to unite multiple cultures and backgrounds. The rapid rise and equally rapid fall of the brand has been an enigma in the streetwear industry for more than 20 years, and to the delight of the loyal fans—as well as the new generation of ’90s loving, fashion-forward youths. Session Topic: “The History of Cross Colours” and “The Making of a Brand”. For more information, email [email protected].

Jonathon Santos of The Santos Media Group, LLC., is partners with Medin Gebrezgier who are both entrepreneurs and YouTuber’s building a community that equips its followers with the tools, tips, and knowledge of starting and growing their brands. Through their YouTube channel, @JOHNXSANTOS they create content that removes barriers educationally, financially, and mentally so that anyone can pursue their dreams. Their journey started years ago when they launched their first business right out of high school, which has recently grown nationwide. The vision is to change the world by positively inspiring, empowering, and equipping the future generation of creators. Session Topic: “The Essentials To Selling Your Brand Online or Offline”. For more information, email [email protected].

Medin Gebrezgier of The Santos Media Group, LLC., is partners with Jonathon Santos who are both entrepreneurs and YouTuber’s building a community that equips its followers with the tools, tips, and knowledge of starting and growing their brands. Through their YouTube channel, @JOHNXSANTOS they create content that removes barriers educationally, financially, and mentally so that anyone can pursue their dreams. Their journey started years ago when they launched their first business right out of high school, which has recently grown nationwide. The vision is to change the world by positively inspiring, empowering, and equipping the future generation of creators. Session Topic: “Pitching Your Story and Selling Your Brand”.

For more information, email [email protected]

Joseph Park, Executive V.P. of ABC Sewing Machine Inc., a well-established business in Los Angeles, the heart of the garment and textile industry since 1980. They are the largest supplier of brand name sewing machine and spare parts such as: JUKI, Brother, Pegasus, Kansai Special, SWF, Union special, and are the authorized distributor for all the name brand sewing machines in the market. They specialize in Industrial Sewing Machine equipment, spare parts, accessories, and repair. They strive to be the industry leader in providing great service, rentals, new and used sewing machines, part and accessories for the whole textile and garment industry in Los Angeles. Session Topic: “Key Things To Look For When Searching or Working With Suppliers, Distributors, and Dealers”.

For more information, email [email protected]

This year’s sponsors included ABC Sewing Machine Company, Better Youth, Paromi Full Leaf Tea, Angela Marie Hutchinson, Strictly Industry, D-Zyn Elements, StormyWeather Designs, Island Energy Drink, Traction Properties, and De Veon Crystal Art.

All photos are courtesy of Keith Crosby Photography and Eric Epperson Photography.

Booking/Management Contact:
Reggie Owens
Email: [email protected]

Media Contact
Company Name: Strictly Industry
Contact Person: Deborah Griffin
Email: Send Email
Phone: 323-839-4521
City: Los Angeles
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: http://www.strictlyindustry.com