If you were in the Los Angeles area this week, I hope you had the opportunity to come by the Globaltex trade show at the LA Convention center. There were a lot of great vendors, new products, new and familiar faces and interesting seminars. Since GlobalTex is a new trade show, they're still fine-tuning it and responding to exhibitor and attendee feedback. I'm hoping the next show will fill the entire room and then some. If you're looking for industry trends, companies such as MPDClick were there as well as a trend area showing some of the latest fabrics, colors and prints.

So here's what I learned:

1: Trade shows are still the best way to see and feel new products, colors and designs. I'm a big fan of technology, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats holding something in your hand to really understand the product.

2: Hemp jersey is my new favorite fabric. Seriously. I was thinking "Hemp Jersey?" How soft can that be? Well, it's as lovely as Modal - soft and drapey, without the clinginess of Modal. One of my clients is already using it in some of their designs and I can't wait to see it when it comes to market.

3: Heavy rains made for a light turnout the first day of the show. It also made for nightmarish traffic, but that's to be expected in Los Angeles.

4: Frances Harder of FBI, Victor Dahan of Shipson, Ken Wengrod of FTC and I had a great time on the "Speed to Market" panel. We approached the subject from our own view points. Frances moderated and injected her wisdom about bringing production back to the LA area and how California designs are sought after around the world.

5: Ken talked about financing and the current credit situation. Everyone wants to know what will happen if/when CIT files for bankruptcy. Ken explained the most likely scenarios and let everyone know that business would still continue. I swear I heard a collective sigh of relief.

6: Victor discussed how to improve the supply chain and how markets in China and Russia are opening up to American goods.

7: We all talked about how selling to the international markets should not be a barrier in business any more. Financial transactions, credit, customs, commercial invoices and more are easy to address and can expand a company's revenue stream dramatically.

8: I talked about the role of technology in speed to market and how using tools can give you a 360 degree view into the design, sampling, production, inventory and financial aspects of your business and how no company should ever be without them. No matter what your budget is, there are tools to help your business.

9: Retailers are conducting business differently and manufacturers need to be able to react quickly to change. Keep inventory low. Don't expect the re-order. Speed to market is an entire process from design to delivery, know how to react.

10: Don't wear boots with three inch heels when walking a trade show.

Jill Mazur is an independent apparel business and technology consultant working with Fashion Business, Incorporated.  Email:  jill@fashionbizinc.org

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel Yeomans, author of The Working Wardrobe blog, today.  What a great person and what a great idea.  Her blogs focus on one of the most basic questions we ask ourselves almost daily:  "What should I wear today?"  There's no simple answer to the question, hence the inspiration for her blog.  There are articles for high-powered attorneys who don't want to look like they've just rolled off the law school assembly line.  There are articles for those who are just starting out in the workplace or looking to get back into it.  There are tips for students, day-to-evening or office party looks, even entries about dressing for job interviews. 

Rachel posts a lot of great looks from magazines, on-line retailers and even just great photos.  I found myself drooling over a grey ensemble the other day, and I'm not a drooler by any stretch of the imagination.

If you haven't checked out her site, click on the link to take a look.  You'll definitely want to bookmark it; there are new articles almost daily.  Simply put, Rachel is a thoughtful and dilligent blogger who focuses on fashion and style in the workplace.  Alongside her blog, there are some great links, coupons, pictures and even videos from some of the top fashion sites.  There's usually even a great deal of the week.  I'm looking forward to see how her site evolves from here. 

Jill Mazur is an independent apparel business and technology consultant working with Fashion Business, Incorporated.  Email:  jill@fashionbizinc.org

Q: Hey Lauren,

My name is Alexandra and I am a senior at Michigan State University. I read your 15 tips at ed2010.com and thought they were very helpful. Where were some of the places you interned?

Best,
Alexandra

A: Hi Alexandra,

In college I interned for a variety of companies including FOX, MTV, NBC, Warren Cowan and Associates, BWR, etc.

Hope you are interning as well ! Good luck!

LB

Q:Hi,

Will there be any fashion internships for Spring 2010? I will not be in New York until January, wanted to get something squared away. I am a senior fashion journalist major.

Thanks,
Ashley

A: Hey Ashley ! There will be tons of Fashion internships for Spring and Summer 2010. Most of the listings will change from Fall to Spring over the next few weeks. Check back end of next week ! Also, many of the internships I source are available right here on WWDCareers.com.

xxLB

Q: Hello
My name Is Patty and I was wondering if it was possible for me to get some information about a Summer Internship with Seventeen Magazine. I know it may be too early to apply but the more information the better.

Thank you for your time,
Patty

A: Patty,
Thanks for your email. Check out the Seventeen Magazine Fall listing that is currently posted on the site. This listing will change over in about one week to Spring and Summer 2010. Seventeen is one of the most popular magazine internships around - if you are applying for Seventeen I would suggest applying for other magazines as well - always have a back-up plan !

Good luck !

Lauren

Q: Hi Lauren,

I really want to intern for Summer 2010 but I'll be abroad for all of Spring semester. What can I do to make sure I don't miss out on a great opportunity ?

Best, Sara N.

A: Hi Sara,

I'm so glad you are thinking ahead about internships ! I would start early (ASAP) and apply for internships for Summer 2010. My summer listings will be ready in about one week. Make a note on your initial email about your situation and request an early phone interview or in-person interview. If this isn't possible make yourself available to speak while abroad. I know this can be difficult but do whatever you can to make it happen. Email will be your best form of communication while overseas - so use it well! Follow up is key !

Can't wait to hear how things go

Lauren Berger, The Intern Queen

There's a great article in September's edition of Vogue entitled "What Price Fashion" by Teri Agins. Sorry, no hyperlink available. In summary, the recession has caused some of today's biggest designers to get even MORE creative in the way they develop styles and bring products to market. The article goes on to discuss how designer Philip Lim merchandises and designs his line simultaneously. He only produces enough product to fill his orders and even then, only about 50% of his line consists of new styles. "Of the 240 pieces he created for Fall 2009, he wound up manufacturing them all - a perfect batting average..." How many of us can say the same?

What is it about Philip Lim's process that would allow such a fantastic feat to happen? Produce ALL the styles he designed and ONLY enough to fill his orders? Think about how little waste that is. No excess inventory? No excessive sampling? No excessive design or merchandising staff? He knows what we all need to remember, too many samples or iterations of samples and too much production eat away at the precious bottom line.

As I was reading this article, I kept thinking "I wonder if he's using a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system, and if so - which one?" I'm sure that was the first thought that crossed you mind, as well. Why does PLM cross my mind while reading Vogue? Well, precisely for this reason - how do you improve the creative process? How do you streamline product development? How do you save money when developing design samples? How do you track or calendar the important events and due dates in the design, merchandising and sales process? How do you create the best possible presentation of styles or samples to your buyers with the least amount of stress? How do you know which vendor to partner with when developing new styles? Even more important, how do you track the actual cost of developing new styles and samples?

If you're not using a PLM system, you may want to think long and hard about making this investment in your business. Let me say first, PLM is not for every company, especially small businesses or businesses with very few new styles per season. However, as your business and/or product line grows you need to incorporate tools to allow your company and capacity to grow as well. Using collaborative PLM tools to track costs, due dates, product development and more, in one place, helps keep your business on track. The benefits of PLM are innumerable: increased speed to market, decreased product development costs, collaborative planning and workflow tools, visibility to the design, patternmaking, sampling and merchandising process and more.

These days, consumers are willing to spend on luxury items if they are of true quality and value. Are manufacturers willing to spend on software if it is of true quality and value to their business?

Jill Mazur is an independent apparel business and technology consultant working with Fashion Business, Incorporated. Email: jill@fashionbizinc.org

In the past few weeks there have been several blog posts and articles focusing on the wealthy advantage of certain students in conjunction with unpaid internships. This particular advantage infers that students coming from middle to upper class families have an easier time taking on unpaid internships. The advantage also assumes that students from lower-income families need to pay their own way through school and therefore cannot realistically participate in an unpaid internship program.

In an ideal world, all internships are paid programs. However, the current economy has proven many young adults are willing to make financial sacrifices during difficult times because the experience of working at a desirable company will pay off in the long run.

A recent Forbes article stated: "an extremely large percentage of the student population cannot afford unpaid internships. These are students who struggle to balance the rigors of college with the need to earn enough to cover living expenses."

This article provides students with a reason to not pursue internship opportunities. Lack of time. Lack of money. It incorrectly suggests that wealthy students are taking advantage of internship programs while disadvantaged students are working too many hours to fit in time for internships. As someone who has worked for several years with thousands of college students from diverse backgrounds, I can assure you that this is not the case. It takes a motivated and ambitious individual to pursue available internships. As educators and mentors, we should constantly be encouraging students to consider internship opportunities - both paid and unpaid.

It is not the financially secure person who gets the job; rather it is the focused candidate who strives to succeed and understands the value of an internship opportunity. This candidate will find a way to make everything work in their specific situation. If anything, their lack of financial means serves as a motivational tool which provides the necessary incentive to excel in their chosen fields.

The Intern Queen is the expert on everything internship-related including Internships in Today's Economy, How to Get An Internship, How to Make the Most of Your Internship, Resume Advice, Cover Letter Advice, etc. internqueen@quarterlife.com

I'd rather use a "Top Chef" analogy here, rather than "Project Runway" but it doesn't feel appropriate for this blog. Truth be told, there is no specific recipe for success in the world of fashion. Seems like some people have it and other, equally talented people don't. Elusive, isn't it? I was watching "Project Runway" this week as the contestants designed styles inspired by the California surf scene. Aside from the fact that only one team used Neoprene© in their design, I don't think you'd want to go anywhere near the water in the rest of those styles. But I digress. The team with the best designs of the show won AND lost. They came up with two great designs - one of them was the one with Neoprene©. Turns out, however, that trying to get two ego driven designers to divide design, draping, sewing and fitting tasks doesn't always work so well. One team member (Ra'mon) did the bulk of the design, sewing and other tasks while the other team member (Mitchell) seemed to crack a lot of jokes about getting kicked off the show. Sure enough, the team won the best design, Ra'mon won the contest and Mitchell was dismissed from the show with a fairly curt "Auf Wiedersehen."

So getting back to a recipe for success, how do you assemble the right team for a fashion business? Let's say you make enough samples to take to a show or at least around to some potential customers or showrooms. Let's say you start taking orders for your products. Now what? Do you have the money or financing to purchase raw materials, cut, sew and fulfill your orders? Where do you find trustworthy contractors or vendors who will do justice to your designs? How do you ensure you're shipping to credit-worthy customers? How will you begin to collect on your receivables? How do you know what needs to be done to keep your business moving forward and hopefully growing? Well, that's what Fashion Business, Incorporated is all about. FBI has the tools and resources to take your business to the next level.

Most companies start with one or two people - hopefully one person has a knack for design, the other has a knack for business and/or sales. The two of you scramble around for months (or in the case of "Project Runway" two days) trying to produce wearable, saleable designs. Let's hope there's a natural division of labor within the business (on the "Project Runway" team the division of labor looked to be about 90/10). As the business grows, start adding part-time or full-time employees to fill in the blanks - order entry, shipping, inventory, bookkeeping, production, etc. But how do you make those important business decisions? Like when to start adding? Or how to start growing? Tim Gunn isn't going to magically appear in your workroom to dispense sage advice. The seminars and workshops at FBI are designed to help you fill in the blanks - business knowledge, technical skills, design, sales and marketing and my favorite, using software to improve your business processes. No, I'm not kidding - I teach one of those seminars.

The business resources you get with your FBI membership are as valuable as the seminars and workshops. Where else do you meet many of the industry's leaders? Accountants, bankers, factors, lawyers, industry consultants, heads of contractors and textile associations of Los Angeles? How else can you network and make the right connections to move your business to the next level? Come to FBI's next networking event and meet our team of experts. You'll be glad you did.

Some people have it and some people don't. The lesson I took away from last night's show is that you need to choose carefully when assembling a business team. How better to do that than by joining FBI and availing yourself of our seminars, workshops and experts? The recipe for success? Knowing how and when to ask for help.

Let's be honest. You want to be the BEST intern this fall. You want to be the ONLY intern that your employer really pays attention to. YOU want to be the intern that gets offered a job at the end of the semester. Hey, it's a competitive space - I understand. Here are some tips to help you really impress your boss and bust out your fall internship:

1. Predict the Future. I know you're not a mind-reader however; it doesn't hurt to think about what you will need, what questions you should ask, and what you should bring. The key is to be over-prepared so that nothing slips through the cracks. Students should ask their internship coordinator questions about parking, directions, hours, dress code, supplies needed, and how lunch works ahead of time. These questions should all be put together nicely in one email. You shouldn't have to send your coordinator several emails. You don't want to annoy them before you first day.

2. Pick Out Your Internship Uniform. Students often dress nice the first few days of their internship and then start to slack off. Decide what your internship uniform will look like. This does NOT mean you will wear the same thing each day, it means that you will put thought into what you wear. After all, the way you dress does impact your first impression. For girls, your internship uniform might include cardigans, slacks, pencil skirts, and business jackets. For the guys, it's usually an array of ties, business suits (if required), and nice pants. You never want to include jeans or flips flops in your uniform. Once you decide what type of clothing you will wear, it will be easier to mix and match your options and quickly get ready for your internship. Dress properly from your first day until your last day.

3. Please, Ask Questions. I know that on the first day anything, no one wants to be the one to speak up and ask questions. Get over that - quickly. I cannot tell you the amount of intern mistakes I have seen because of people that don't ask questions. It's normal for you to NOT understand how the company works during your first few weeks. Ask any question you have and if you employer seems annoyed; ask them who you can ask should you have questions. If your coordinator or boss has an assistant, that is the person who you should direct all questions to.

4. Talk It Out. Fall internships are wonderful but they can make your life pretty hectic with school, work, and/or other commitments. If your internship hours need to change, if you are working too late, if you need to study for a test - speak to your coordinator about it. You will find that most employers offering fall internships are quite flexible and will understand your issues. The only problem comes when you keep your frustrations inside and don't express your concerns. Make sure to always be polite, speak properly, and be friendly.

5. Tuck Away Your Technology. Although I'm sure you look cool, I suggest keeping your Iphones, Blackberrys, Ipods, etc. out of your internship. You can have them in your pocket or in your purse but everything should be silenced the second you walk in the door. Even the vibrate function can be awkward when someone is explaining a task. Too many interns spend all day texting under the desk or Facebook-ing. Save that stuff for later on. It's all a quick way to tell your employer that you have better things to do.

I recently read a blog on the New York Times website by A. G. Sulzberger about the shrinking of NYC's famed garment district. Between rising rents, the economic downturn and the lower cost of goods from foreign suppliers, many long time manufacturers, contractors and suppliers can no longer afford to operate in New York City. Even factories and suppliers to high end, couture labels are finding themselves forced out of their spaces by landlords looking for higher paying tenants.

Could that happen in L. A.? You bet. Take one look around the area near the California Mart, New Mart and Cooper Buildings. Remember the old showrooms and buying offices in the Eastern Building? It now consists of high priced, loft style condos. Other buildings have already headed the same way. Great for the revitalization of downtown L. A., not so good for the many long term tenants of these former, apparel industry related buildings.

And yet, lots of new creative spaces have begun popping up. Many of the new work/live lofts contain retail, design and showroom spaces. Contractors can still be found sewing moderate priced garments; textile and trim suppliers are still thankfully located nearby. Many landlords of the garment district buildings provide financial contributions to support the L. A. Fashion District and have a vested interest in keeping the area a vibrant, creative and economic hub. Back in 1996, the L. A. Fashion District became the first Business Improvement District (BID) in the city. Funded by property owners within the 94 block (yes, 94 blocks!) fashion district, the mission is to maintain a "clean, safe and friendly place to work, shop, do business and live through maintenance, security and marketing programs." So far, so good. But more needs to be done by the city of Los Angeles and state of California to keep apparel related jobs in the area - even in these economic times.

Could the downturn in L. A.'s real estate market be the boon apparel manufacturers need to stay in Los Angeles? Hopefully. By keeping rents affordable and encouraging contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and showrooms to remain in, or move to the L. A. Fashion District it will go a long way to keep Los Angeles' second largest industry from shrinking, taking with it the jobs and revenues it provides. Let us learn a lesson from New York's garment district before it's too late. Maybe they can learn a lesson from L. A. as well.

Jill Mazur is an independent apparel business and technology consultant working with Fashion Business, Incorporated.  Email:  jill@fashionbizinc.org

I was very excited to see two of my favorite trade shows happening at the same time in the same location. It's a great opportunity to see a lot of familiar faces and companies as well as new businesses, products and service providers. For those of you who are new to the industry, there's no better way to see so much product and make so many connections. For those of you who are veterans, what better way to get some fresh ideas? Registration is free.

The fashionista in me is excited to attend the L. A. International Textile Show to see the latest trends in colors, prints, fabrics, trims and more. The techie side of me is excited about Material World and seeing the latest cutting edge (pun intended) technology, hardware, software and equipment. Much like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, these are two great shows that work well together. September 30 - October 2 at the Mart. I'd better put a lunch order in now at New Moon.

FBI will be putting on a number of topical seminars to coincide with the L. A. Textile and Material World shows. A finalized list of seminars will be published in the next week or so. If you haven't been by to see our new space at the Mart C786, please drop in and say "hello" and see what we've been up to the last few months.

There's so much going on in such a short amount of time, be sure to plan ahead for all three days. You may have just enough time to see everything and everyone you need to see. There's just enough time to catch your breath before GlobalTex at the L. A. Convention Center October 13 - 15!