11:00AM - 11:45AM 

SS27 Inspirations: Creative Realities

TREND PRESENTATION BY PECLERS PARIS

Join Peclers Paris as they unveil the key creative directions shaping Spring/Summer 2027. This exclusive presentation highlights four distinctive seasonal narratives crafted to ignite imagination and guide innovation across industries:

Caught up in the increasing uncertainty of daily life, people tend to waiver between functional pragmatism and a thirst for fantasy. Anchored in their rituals and familiar landmarks, they carve out a reality marked by irregularities and contrasts. Drawing on outdated pop culture, ordinary life is shrouded in a cinematic veil that dramatizes the ordinary and inspires transgressive glamour. Through a liminal vision, where the strange and the familiar coexist, the functional and the practical are transformed into conceptual objects of desire. Thanks to creative interweaving and a cosmopolitan vision, local practices become global in scale, nurturing new shared narratives. Guided by a need for gentleness, daydreams and kindness, unexpected touches of romanticism bring sensitivity to urban spaces. These are the territories in which we create an intimate reality.

Presented by Jennifer Karuletwa, Peclers Paris | Managing Director, North America, for Peclers Paris, deciphering the major societal and cultural changes that drive and transform your consumers’ lifestyles and desires

1:00PM - 1:45PM    

MANUFACTURING YOUR COLLECTION DOMESTICALLY: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR EMERGING BRANDS

Join Jennifer Evans, Founder and CEO of The Evans Group (TEG), for an in-depth seminar designed to guide emerging fashion brands through the process of manufacturing their collections domestically. Whether launching your first line or expanding an existing independent brand, this seminar will offer invaluable insights on navigating the complexities and simplicities of local development and production right here in Los Angeles.

Presented by Jennifer Evans, The Evans Group (TEG) | Jennifer Evans is the Founder & Owner of The Evans Group (TEG), the manufacturing facility with locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. For nearly twenty years, TEG has been the gold standard for fashion development, providing best-in-class services at every stage of launching a fashion line - from the industry’s premier pattern makers, to expert fabric sourcing, and everything in between. TEG is dedicated to the highest ethical, environmental, and transparency standards, creating jobs that keep garment workers employed at a living wage all year round.

2:00PM - 2:45PM       

Creating Circularity for the City of la’s Textile Waste

Textiles are among the top ten materials in California's waste stream. This session will explore the practical meaning of textile circularity and provide a deep dive into the achievements of the City of LA's Textile Recovery pilot project alongside ecosystem partners. Learn how this publicly funded program is transforming Los Angeles into a hub for sustainable fashion by providing brands and designers with affordable access to recovered materials that can be creatively upcycled into new products, all while supporting recycling solutions.

Moderated by Lauren Harper, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) | Lauren Harper is the Director of Sustainable Cities for LACI, a mission-driven organization that brings people together to create an inclusive green economy. Empowering startups, convening partnerships, building community.

Panelists:

Linda Corrado, Homeboy Threads | Linda Corrado is the Business Development Manager for Homeboy Threads, a certified social enterprise of Homeboy Industries, located in Los Angeles, CA. As sorters and graders of pre- and post-consumer and post-industrial textiles, Homeboy Threads enables textile circularity by ensuring materials are routed to their next best use: reuse or recycle. This work supports the social mission of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest re-entry and rehabilitation program for formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals. Its program provides wrap around services including job training.

Sherry Wood, Laguna Fabrics | Sherry Wood is the Director of Merchandising & Design for Laguna Fabrics, a socially and enivronmentally responsible Textiles company producing in Los Angeles. With a focus on using raw materials from certified natural fibers, Laguna prides itself on offering the most comprehensive range of high-quality, sustainable knit fabrics.

Mariam Panasyan, LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) | Mariam Panasyan is an Environmental Engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation & Environment, dedicated to zero waste education and sustainability programs.

3:00PM - 3:45PM       

Where Fashion Brands Win or Lose: Budgeting, Production Steps & the Critical Path to Success

Launching a successful fashion brand isn’t about guessing. It’s about doing things in the right order. Anna Livermore of V.MORA breaks down the exact steps designers must follow, where to spend, where to save, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Walk away with a clear roadmap to launch smarter, faster, and with confidence.

Presented by Anna Livermore, V.Mora | Anna Livermore is the founder and CEO of V. Mora, a fashion consulting firm. Established in 2008, V. Mora is a fashion business and production consulting company that works one on one with independent designers. They offer hands-on help with everything from pattern making to sourcing to production management and marketing. V. Mora is a one-stop-shop for success with a wide range of services and a talented team of experts focused on bringing fashion dreams to life.

11:00AM - 11:45AM 

The Technology Shift: Understanding Fashion's Digital Transformation

Join industry experts for an educational exploration of how technology is reshaping fashion design and production. This panel brings together leaders who are witnessing firsthand the evolution of AI, 3D design, digital innovation, and sustainable tech applications across the industry.

Gain perspective on the current technology landscape in fashion - what's emerging, what's working, and what designers and brands should understand as these tools become more prevalent. Our panelists will share their observations, experiences, and insights into how technology is being adopted across different segments of the industry.

Whether you're curious about new technologies, evaluating what might work for your business, or simply want to understand where the industry is heading, this session provides educational context to help you make informed decisions.

Topics covered:

• Current state of AI and machine learning applications in fashion

• How 3D design and digital prototyping are being used industry-wide

• Real-world observations on virtual fashion and emerging technologies

• Technology's role in advancing sustainability goals

• What to consider when evaluating new technologies for your business

Moderated by Tirsa Parrish, Fashion Index | Tirsa Parrish co-founded Fashion Index in 2020 to bridge the gap between small to mid-sized companies and brands in the fashion industry and the resources that are scaled to work with them. Through Fashion Index, she is able to share that knowledge and industry acumen with the larger fashion community. With the tenets of Sustainability and Make-It-Local (To You), Fashion Index is an industry leading platform determined to move the industry towards an environmentally friendly future.

Panelists:

Ryan Lee-Teng, CLO | With over 2 decades of working in the fashion industry, Ryan has focused on digital transformation over the past decade, as the VP of Business Development for CLO Virtual Fashion. Partnering with the biggest brands across the Americas, CLO's goal is to remain eternally curious and continue steering the industry towards a present where creativity, sustainability, and efficiency work hand-in-hand. Focusing on 3D as the backbone for their supply chains, Ryan has worked with Alo Yoga, Nike, Arc'teryx, Gap Inc., and other companies to re-examine their entire processes.

Justin Hershoran, Aptean | Justin brings over 25 years of industry experience and was part of the original team that developed the Shopfloor concept and software. He has had a creative outlook on the software from day one, with a focus on efficiency and saving as many seconds as possible in the daily life of an operator. Today, he is focused on the continued growth of the Shopfloor platform—including the addition of AI functionality to further help manufacturers become more efficient.

Gingi Medina, Equites Clothing | Gingi Medina is the Founder of the House of EQ'uites and winner of the FAB 100 Top Global Leaders Award for her work and contributions to the industry of Fashion & Beauty. Rooted in a philosophy of conscious production and developments in the world of natural textiles, the brand creates functional, bespoke, and handcrafted goods for riders and active individuals, drawing inspiration from nature and the equestrian lifestyle while minimising environmental impact.

Galina Sobolev, StyleScan | Gina is the Chief Marketing Officer at StyleScan®, a breakthrough software that equips fashion brands with AR and 3D visualization tools that enhance the online shopping experience, improve e-commerce engagement, and increase sales conversions. She also has extensive experience in Luxury Design, Brand Development, Building Brand Loyalty, and Brand Recognition.

1:00PM - 1:45PM

Slow Growth, Strong Foundation: Scaling With Intention in Fashion Business

SR316 is a luxury PR Showroom & Digital Media Agency focused on independent & emerging brands with unique, innovative design stories. Join the team behind SR316 for an intimate conversation that covers key elements they've identified for cultivating a strong and thriving brand.

1. Sustainable business models vs rapid hype cycles—thriving in your niche.

2. Consistent check-ins on growth plan & team.

3. Openness to pivot when things shift under your feet.

4. Listening to your community & clients on current needs.

Featuring:

Marina Leight, Nexus Moda & SR316 | Marina is a designer, educator, and fearless advocate for ethical fashion. Trained under a Savile Row tailor, she earned an MA from Accademia Koefia in Rome and took that knowledge to start her own 2 labels: Marina Leight Atelier and The Marina Co. Marina now mentors emerging talent as a professor at ASU FIDM, as well as through the community she is cultivating with SR316 & Nexus Moda—both harboring a strong focus on the talent that is truly innovating the industry. 

Cameron Harp, Nexus Moda & SR316 | Cameron is the Brand & Operations Manager of SR316–a luxury PR Showroom & Digital Media Agency in DTLA—as well as one of the Co-founders of Nexus Moda—a sustainable educational platform & event series focussed on innovation in fashion, art, business, & technology. Cameron is a FIDM alum and avid LA Fashion community member, driven by collaborating with likeminded talent who all seek the same thing: a more accessible industry that is well-equipped for our shared future. 

2:00PM - 2:45PM

ECOSYSTEM DESIGN: COMMUNITY IS THE NEW POWER

In times of crisis, industries don’t transform, ecosystems do. What separates brands that get attention from those that build authority? How do founders and designers escape the “niche trap” and build cross-market authority? And why is community the most powerful and undervalued form of capital today?

Join Emmanuelle Rienda, Founder of Vegan Fashion Week and Ethical Luxury Group, for a bold conversation on building community, shaping culture, and turning creativity into collective power. From building a global movement to generating $160M+ in cultural and media impact, Emmanuelle has helped redefine ethical luxury on the world stage. She now builds ecosystems that empower founders, designers, and creative leaders to escape the niche trap and move into scalable, cross-industry influence.

Special guest voices who deserve the spotlight will join the conversation to share real-world insights on collaboration, resilience, and collective growth.

Moderated by Emmanuelle Rienda, presenting ERA ECOSYSTEM | Emmanuelle Rienda is a French Creative Director, Ethical Luxury expert, and Founder of Vegan Fashion Week and Ethical Luxury Group. With over a decade at the intersection of fashion, culture, and art, she has shaped the global ethical fashion movement across 30+ countries, generating more than 3,000 features in leading media including Vogue, WWD, and The New York Times. She was recognized by the City of Los Angeles for hosting Ukrainian Fashion Week in Los Angeles. She also led a collaboration with Balmain, continuing to drive a future where luxury and ethics coexist

Panelists:

Taylor Rose, XIVI | Taylor Rose is a fashion industry expert with a lifelong commitment to sustainability. With more than a decade of experience across design, trend forecasting, and brand strategy, Taylor consistently blends creative vision with ethical purpose. From the very beginning of their career, sustainability has been a guiding force, shaping their work with both emerging labels and global brands. Today, Taylor curates sustainable fashion events that spotlight innovative, eco‑conscious practices, continuing a mission to help build a fashion ecosystem that benefits the planet rather than harms it.

Lizz Leral, Quilting For Community | Lizz Leral is the Founder and Executive Director of Quilting for Community, a nonprofit studio, fabric thrift store, and long-arm quilting suite based in Los Angeles. She launched Q4C in 2018 after learning to quilt during her father’s illness, transforming personal grief into a public learning space. What began as a single free class has grown into a multi-program ecosystem serving beginners, artists, and intergenerational makers.

Lizz’s work centers access, textile reuse, and what she calls “Soulstainable” practice, sustaining both materials and the human spirit. Through partnerships with universities, national craft organizations, and visiting artists from Gee’s Bend Alabama, she builds community as cultural infrastructure. Her work explores how creative spaces become engines of resilience, stewardship, and collective power.

Jessica Soto, Carnegie Observatories / GCC Planetarium  | Jessica Soto has been involved in animal welfare and conservation advocacy for 20 years. She was on the board of directors as director of fundraising for Animal Tracks inc. in Agua Dulce and is currently helping a project led by Adam Oswell, a conservationist and photographer for National Geographics. Aside from being the public engagement specialist at Carnegie Observatories and an astronomy educator in LA, she advocates for more minorities and women to be represented in STEM fields through her passion project SCI FEM -  which sells merchandise representing the forgotten female heroes of space science.