Sometimes the real leaders of the industry come through the side door bringing fresh new perspectives, large networks and creative ideas.  We got to chat with Klaudia Capalbo, Regional Director of FGI Toronto about her vision for the future of Canada's fashion industry. For more info on FGI Toronto - https://www.fgitoronto.org/ Follow @startupfashionweek E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.startupfashionweek.com

Why is it SO HARD for consumers to know who local Toronto fashion brands are and where to find them?!  Koda Collective is a new marketplace that launched this year (2020) to create an opportunity for consumers to shop all local (Toronto) brands in one place.  https://www.kodacollective.ca/ We love this concept and learn all about how Designers / brands can benefit from being part of Koda Collective!  Follow us: @startupfashionweek / @sfwmontreal / @sfwvancouver Web: www.startupfashionweek.com E-mail: [email protected]

Designers are always facing a multitude of challenges - sourcing pattern makers, sewers, manufacturers, etc.  What if you only needed to go to one place where they have a team of experts in all the required areas to go from concept to product design to production?  We can't wait to introduce Apparelmark - a Vancouver based company that has a powerhouse team of industry leaders helping designers and brands globally to get their product ideas into market.  Drop everything and listen!  Andrew Drigola, Director of Development tells us how anyone can work with their team regardless of what stage of business yo are in to create designs that will SELL!  For more info - https://www.apparelmark.com/ Follow us: @startupfashionweek / @sfwmontreal / @sfwvancouver Web: www.startupfashionweek.com E-mail: [email protected]

Rita Victor is a Canadian certified Fitness Trainer and licensed Naturopath from Montreal.  In 2017, she launched Victorifit, her own fitness coaching company by providing fitness coaching and naturopathic services in person and online.  She then became a full time self-made Fitpreneur and designer of her own collection of athletic tote bags, which officially did a soft launch April 2020 (during the pandemic). Rita tells us all about what it has been like launching her product line during the pandemic, shares her process for creating the athletic totes and provides insights on the fashion industry in Montreal.  https://victorifit.com/home Follow @startupfashionweek E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.startupfashionweek.com

How is the pandemic affecting designers and small businesses in Canada? How is the fashion industry different on the West Coast from central Canada? What logistics are involved in the process of designing apparel? These are some of the topics that we uncover on this episode with designer Lalena from Hourglass Heaven https://www.hourglassheaven.ca/   Follow us: @startupfashionweek / @sfwmontreal / @sfwvancouver Web: www.startupfashionweek.com E-mail: [email protected] 

Niki Papaioannou, founder of Niki Inc. https://nikiinc.ca/ is a publicist and promoter of superstar brands. She works with clients at every stage of stardom – from new  brands to celebrities. She managed PR in 2018 for Startup Fashion Week breaking boundaries to fill all the Front Row seats with top tier media guests. We chat on this episode about how small businesses, designers and freelance creatives can navigate through the pandemic staying afloat with good messaging and engagement. She gives out of the box PR strategies, worthwhile tips and insights from a journalists perspective. Follow @startupfashionweek E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.startupfashionweek.com

In our first episode we will be speaking to Designer / Model Vanessa Kiraly of VANIKA designs https://vanikadesign.com Vanessa has been part of the Startup Fashion Week family since the beginning in 2014.  At the age of 16 she showcased an impressive collection at the inaugural SFW runway show and has been a model in our Toronto shows every year.  She learned the trade from her mother and was inspired by a local creative to take her talent to the runway.  Vanessa shares valuable intimate details on the thought process of a designer and model. She also talks about her success of getting published in notable magazines and shares how others can do the same.  In the interview (which you will love), she shares candid moments, lessons and details about her personal and professional journey since we first put her in the spotlight at Startup Fashion Week.   Follow @startupfashionweek E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.startupfashionweek.com

Startup Fashion Week (SFW) has been helping emerging creatives and small businesses since 2014 and has also become the world's only multi-city fashion week. Launched by Jodi Goodfellow, the trailer provides insight as to what led her to create this disruptive fashion week concept. She also mentions some of the incredible accomplishments made by SFW over the years. The SFW FRONT ROW podcast will provide exciting content from industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, alumni and visionary creatives who will explore the world of fashion in conversation with Jodi. Therefore it only seemed fitting to name our podcast after the most coveted position at a runway show - FRONT ROW! For the Startup Fashion Week FRONT ROW Podcast you won’t need to walk a red carpet or RSVP but we do encourage you to subscribe so that you can get VIP access for updates on new episodes. We would also love your feedback and welcome suggestions on potential topics or guests for future episodes.  We hope to educate, inspire and inform our listeners with exciting content!   Insta: @startupfashionweek / @sfwmontreal / @sfwvancouver e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.startupfashionweek.com Photo Credit: @nsbkim