Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Timmons.
Lena, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Rise NYFW because I saw a need within the industry that I felt needed to be addressed. I am a Fashion Designer, and like many others, we have a goal of presenting during NYFW.
Well, I was almost about to give up, when one of my friends Stacyanne asked, “Why don’t you just start your own platform instead?” That was the beginning!!
I thoughtfully gathered info on things that I would personally want access to as an independent designer just starting out. You want buyers, press, media, mentorship, recognition, and you don’t want to feel like you are by yourself in this process. So, I used those things I gathered and made them come into fruitation.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing good will come easy. I have encountered major hiccups that would have possibly made other people give up.
A few of those things are, picking out the venue and paying for it. I ended up going over budget because I timed the show wrong and went over my time limit. Which caused me to pay more… I had models cancel on me. I started with 5 Hair & MUA and ended up with only 2 of each.
I also, had many people ask me if I was sure about my decision to go through with this showcase. And I proudly replied, yes!! I honestly had no idea how I was even going to fly to NYC or better yet where I was going to be staying. But, it all worked out with persistence and never taking my mind off the goal I had set for myself and these other amazing designers!!
Please tell us about Rise NYFW.
So, Rise NYFW is one of the newest platforms for independent Designers and their brands. Our goal is to make sure that the designers and their brands get the connections that they most desire through our platform. whether it is meetings with buyers, interviews with press & media, etc. They will also receive coaching and mentorship for an entire year. So, anytime they need help with something or have a question about anything they can call us, to get advice on the best way to handle certain situations.
We are most proud to be able to continue to grow our platform. The designers participating in the showcase in September 2018 will be able to set up their brand space in a showroom and meet with consumers, buyers, etc. That is an element we added to our designer package.
The thing that sets us apart from others, we are very personal and hands-on with our designers. We want the best for them and our goal is to make sure they are prepared for important situations when they arrive in order to get that store account they have worked hard to get attention from. And since we were started by a designer, it is a very different perspective on the platform.
This is an introduction of amazing designers to the world, from a designers point of view, not just a production company putting on a showcase.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, the only thing I would do differently is, leave all doubt and negative thoughts outside the door!!! Never let fear stop you, allow it to push you toward your greatness!!
Pricing:
- Application Fee- $25.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 2011 Bandera Rd #1412 San Antonio, TX 78228
- Website: www.risenyfw.com
- Phone: 347-389-2026
- Email: submit@risenyfw.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rise_nyfw
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/risenyfw
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/RiseNYFW
Image Credit:
Geometria TV
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