Events

Whether you are new to the fashion industry or run an established business, understanding basic intellectual property principles and the fundamentals of setting up and running your own business is imperative.

Our IP 101 session provided a basic understanding of what intellectual property rights are and how they are protected through patents, design patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Our Business 101 session explored the fundamentals of starting your own business, including selecting the right form of entity, creating governing documents, making necessary corporate and tax filings, and funding your business.

These types of sessions are meant to be educational and informative. If there are topics you would like to learn more about, please feel free to email Jan Pirozzolo-Mellowes or Cynthia Rigsby with your suggestions for future programming.

To learn more, please click here.

On May 15, Rick Marino (Owner and President of Ram Group Inc.) and Kelly Mutsch (Creative Director of Ram Group Inc.) graciously provided the Milwaukee Fashion Initiative with a private tour of their facilities. They shared products from Ontal and demonstrated how they use digital printing to manufacture clothing in Milwaukee.

Rick and Kelly shared some of the unique manufacturing, designing, printing, and sewing services that Milwaukee has to offer.

Learn more about Ontal, please click here.

Planning for our September Showcase is underway! The Milwaukee Fashion Initiative is hosting a Showcase on September 20, which will feature several pop-up shops featuring local boutiques and designers. Network and mingle with fellow professional women and shop exclusive designer collections. Cocktails and light bites will also be provided.

At our June meeting, members shared their visions for the showcase, discussed how to further our mission of bringing together members of the Milwaukee-area fashion industry, and identified the necessary resources for a successful event.

To further our mission in helping members of the local fashion industry capitalize on potential growth opportunities, the July Milwaukee Fashion Initiative meeting featured industry experts who offered insight into how members can build and expand their businesses and advised entrepreneurs on the best resources for business and financial support.

Guest speakers included:

• David Latona – President of the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
• Amber Miller– Regional Project Director of Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
• Elmer Moore Jr. – Executive Director of Scale Up Milwaukee

To learn more, please click here.

Foley & Lardner LLP was delighted to host the Milwaukee Fashion Initiative’s Inaugural Showcase on September 20, 2018!

The Showcase featured pop-up shops from 16 Milwaukee businesses and juried designers. Over 110 women professionals attended the unique networking and shopping event.

The Showcase was designed to highlight the remarkable resources and talent present in the Milwaukee area and give Milwaukee’s professional women a chance to mingle, connect with old friends, and make new ones as they shop local Milwaukee businesses and designers.

For more information on the Showcase, please contact [email protected].