Assembling Our Community: Meet Our #SQries Event Attendee
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN NEARLY A WEEK SINCE OUR PREMIERE #SQRIES EVENT, WE'RE STILL SO EXCITED AND INSPIRED BY OUR SPEAKERS. TODAY HOWEVER, WE'RE FOCUSING ON OUR AMAZING EVENT GOERS!
After the panel we caught up with a few stylish attendees who were kind enough to weigh in on our conversation around brand-building in the digital age. The six inspiring women featured in this story chatted with us about their current projects, what they love about fashion and tech, and what they're assembling daily. Check out the interviews below and join the conversation with us in the comments or on social by following us @brandassembly!
Deanna Ansara, Founder of Vincetta
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER IN FASHION?
I’m the founder and designer of Vincetta. We are a womenswear brand based in NYC right now. I think tech has been great. For example, Instagram is a great and FREE platform for me to express my brand. The more I engage, I notice I get more followers. Also, my website. I get those analytics and codes to help me understand who my customer is and that has been super helpful. I am not very technologically advanced. I'm still learning and I want to take advantage of that, because I feel like the world and consumers are changing.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EVENT?
I think just hearing from people who have a lot more experience in the industry. Hearing how they got there and where they are now. Also hearing how they're still growing and how that’s okay!
WHAT DO YOU ASSEMBLE DAILY?
I am assembling myself. I am finding myself every single day and learning who I am.
Courtney Denton, PR and Marketing coordinator at Club Monaco and Carly Quaggan, PR and Marketing intern at Club Monaco
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER IN FASHION?
Courtney: Personally, I discovered Club Monaco through tumblr. When I was a student, I was constantly looking on there for content and inspiration. They were doing something really cool and really different and I followed them. Then I started working in the store and basically stalked as many people as I could through their social channels! Being involved in that now is really important to me because I understand the importance of brand acquisition and telling the brand’s story while being personable in a 360 degree way.
Carly: Same with me. Definitely reaching out and having your own personal brand is important. For instance, on Instagram, people follow you to see you and your personal style. For Club Monaco, they really incorporate a lifestyle. I am using technology to my advantage in the workplace as opposed to ignoring it and trying to get offline. Really using it effectively is important.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EVENT?
Courtney: I really liked hearing about how Ann Shoket branched off. When I was a student, I thought I wanted to work in editorial, and that was something that I would always strive for. I like that she emerged from that and she not only emerged with technology but by following her own creative endeavors. She reached the top as the Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen - then decided she wanted to do her own thing. That shows how there is a world of possibility out there if you know what you want. You can really go for it!
Carly: I loved her Fresh Direct suggestion. I’ll definitely start using that! I also liked when Sarah Slutsky said how you need to start from the bottom and work your way up, with an internship or job making you grow in order to have people behind you. You can’t just jump up and wish for whatever you want. You have to work for it. Some people can get lost in this generation, thinking that they deserve it, but you can't forget about the hard work and dedication that has to go into it. Have motivation and always reach for your goals!
WHAT DO YOU ASSEMBLE DAILY?
Courtney: What do I assemble daily? That’s really hard. One thing that I’ve started recently is assembling my thoughts in a journal. I've been writing down the highs and lows of my day. I tend to get really stressed out and wallow in what has gone wrong, but by writing things out, I can really focus on the positive things for the week.
Carly: I focus mainly on just assembling my life. My thoughts, feelings, and taking time for personal time to get in touch with myself.
Undra Duncan, Founder of UndraCeleste NY
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER IN FASHION?
I started my women’s contemporary brand two years ago, and I use technology every day. Social media of course, being our number source of communication with people we don’t know, and influencers we are trying to get to know. I am a BIG fan of apps. My favorite is my Paypal app! I pay bills and receive money from orders through that. It’s definitely my most used app.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EVENT?
The biggest takeaway for me, was the power to brand yourself. Every woman on that panel, even though they had day jobs and were on somewhat of an entrepreneurial path, seemed to understand the importance of branding yourself; and the importance of creating your own audience and creating your own story.
WHAT DO YOU ASSEMBLE DAILY?
I think I assemble my brand. Trying to build UndraCeleste NY and to build a profit and sell it. That’s always at the forefront of my mind.
Camilla Vivian Mayer, Founder of Open Haus Collective and Community Manager at MILK Makeup
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER IN FASHION?
I'm the founder of Open Haus Collective and the Community Manager at MILK Makeup. Technology is vastly important to what I do. It's where I release my creativity and get my livelihood working in social media.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EVENT?
The biggest takeaway was learning about the online and offline balance between your career and personal life. Working in the digital sphere can be incredibly consuming.
WHAT DO YOU ASSEMBLE DAILY?
I'm always trying to improve on my personal health. I've been athletic all my life, but working out and eating really well has been a recent habit. Pushing myself in that regard has been really challenging.
PHOTOS BY BRIDGET BADORE FOR THE ASSEMBLIST
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