Tuesday, October 29, 2013

NYC's Parsons School of Design Hosts Africa Fashion Event This Friday

Join me and fellow panelists for a vibrant discussion on the African fashion industry, international trade and fashion compliance this Friday at NYC's Parson's School of Design, Friday Nov. 1, 2013 at 6 p.m.



Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8974387635/efbevent

Project Africa and the Parsons MA Fashion Studies Program are proud to bring you an informative discussion on the intersections of African culture on fashion and design. Join us for an exciting program with experts and practitioners from a variety of fields, including design, culture, identity, and business.
...
Moderator - Carolou Goodridge

Carolou Goodridge was born and raised in New York to Liberian parents. She's always been interested in the fashion; however, her path changed when she studied Political Science in college and moved to Washington, DC to work in politics. She spent five successful years on Capitol Hill, earned a Master's degree in Public Policy/Peace Operations, and worked as a lobbyist for the next two years. Three years ago, Carolou made a life-changing decision to leave the political world and has since relocated back to New York to finally pursue her dream career in fashion with a global focus. In 2010, she established Image Forward Consulting, a luxury style and image consultancy for gentlemen which participated in African Fashion Week among other important fashion events. Check IFC out on Facebook.

Panelists

Deanna Clark, Esq. is a Senior International Trade and Fashion Compliance attorney at Shayne Schrier Shayne Koenig Sanburg & Ryne in New York, NY. She advises clients on how to follow the laws that relate to the products they sell within the U.S. whether for fashion designers, retailers, importers, start up e-commerce sellers, or otherwise. She also advises on labeling and marketing claims, such as using eco-friendly claims and Made in USA, as well as assists clients with responding to government inquiries and dealing with audits and other actions taken by them. Deanna is an adjunct professor at NYCs Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in its International Trade and Marketing Dept. where she teaches International Business Law. She hosts Fashion Compliance Defined an educational program on fashion law, and writes a blog called International Trade for Everyday People. She serves as the International Representative to the NY Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade and as an advisory board member of Africa Fashion Week. Deanna received her JD from Tulane Law School, an MA in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Malta's Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, and her BA in Peace & Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley. You can follow her on Twitter @fashcompliance or join the "Fashion Compliance" page on Facebook by "liking" it.


Busayo Michelle Olupona is the founder and creative director of Busayo, a Brooklyn-based apparel and accessories company. The clothing line is a celebration of African textiles and aims to brighten the contemporary American woman's wardrobe with its interpretation of the vivid colors and geometric patterns of traditional African fabrics (specifically hand dyed fabrics) into modern silhouettes. The line is available online and in several boutiques throughout the country. The line has been featured in Elle, Essence, Ebony, Runway Magazine and Huffington Post. Prior to starting the clothing line, Busayo practiced corporate finance law at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and New York University School of Law.


Aster Thomas is co-founder of fashion blog Pradagee.com, a communication expert, and fierce African fashion advocate. Aster’s passion for fashion began at an early age as a model in both the United States and Ethiopia. She has a B.A. in Communications and a Certificate in Project Management from New York University. She works for a digital media company as a Business Development Manager for the Emerging Markets division, where she helps develop business strategies and connections for AFKInsider.com (an African business news website). Aster was invited to speak on Aljazeera's popular show The Stream ito speak on the issue of cultural-appropriation by large retailers, specifically Urban Outfitters. You can visit her website here: www.pradagee.com
 

 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Increased Scrutiny by FTC on the Blurring Lines of Digital Ads With Digital Content


The fashion industry and many others are blending advertisements with news, entertainment, and other content in digital media, referred to as “native advertising” or “sponsored content.”
 
For e-commerce vendors selling domestically or for export to destinations outside of the U.S., you should take note of this increase in scrutiny as it could ultimately correlate to the way you are thinking about advertising.
This is because if the government is paying attention, as is in this case, it is trying to ascertain where the bright line is (for this type of advertising) as it relates to non-deceptive marketing claims so that it can decide where enforcement measures (think monetary penalties) can be assessed.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) there is an increase in advertisements that more closely resemble the content in which they are embedded, which are graphical images, typically rectangular in shape, placed on publishers’ websites and mobile applications.

For this reason, the FTC is hosting a workshop on December 4, 2013 in Washington DC to explore the blurring lines of digital ads with digital content.  The purpose is to build on previous Commission initiatives to help ensure that consumers can identify advertisements as advertising wherever they appear.
The workshop will bring together publishing and advertising industry representatives, consumer advocates, academics, and government regulators to explore changes in how paid messages are presented to consumers and consumers’ recognition and understanding of these messages.
The general public is invited to make submissions and may do so online here.
Paper submissions may also be submitted and should reference "Native Advertising Workshop" both in the text and on the envelope, and should be mailed or delivered to: 

Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113 (Annex X), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. 

The FTC requests that any paper submissions be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because postal mail in the Washington area and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions. 

Requests to participate should include a statement detailing any relevant expertise in digital advertising and should be submitted by October 29, 2013 via email to nativeads@ftc.gov.  Panelists selected to participate will be notified by November 6, 2013.

The workshop is free and open to the public.  It will be held at the FTC’s satellite building conference center, located at 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  The Commission will publish a more detailed agenda at a later date.

For more information, click here.



 
Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com
 Keep up with me:

On Twitter @fashcompliance https://twitter.com/fashcompliance

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On YouTube http://bit.ly/12a9lau




 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Bringing a Product to Market with Fashion Compliance

Earlier this week I had the privilege of addressing members of the Pan African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, commonly known as "AWEP," together with fellow OWIT International (Organization of Women in International Trade) members who joined me as panelists.



Evident from the products in the conference hall and the silence that fell across the room as I began my discussion, many in attendance were involved in the African textiles and wearing apparel industry.

My presentation on Fashion Compliance with respect to proper labeling in order to bring products in to the United States (US) lawfully, and hence, bring a product “to market,” therefore turned out to be of particular interest.

"Why does proper labeling matter?" you may be wondering?

It is important for a few critical reasons.

First, without it, the products you plan to sell in the US may never be authorized for entry into the country for consumption since US federal laws regulate the clothing sold here.

Second, if you want the parties that buy from you to consider you a trusted vendor, your products need to be certified for compliance with US law so that your retail customers can buy from you with confidence.

Last but certainly not least, consumers actually need some of the information, such as how to care for the garment, and with the ultimate purchaser as the end user, every producer of a good wants to keep that final user’s best interests in mind.

The presentation also included some points and "quick math" around the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity) and how it is actually used, as the US Government - which is currently *shut down* - has done little to educate users on how it can be best taken advantage of.

More articles on the AGOA agreement can be found at the links below:

http://internationaltradeforeverydaypeople.blogspot.com/2011/12/african-fashion-industry-and-agoa.html

http://internationaltradeforeverydaypeople.blogspot.com/2012/08/agoa-third-country-fabric-provision.html

http://internationaltradeforeverydaypeople.blogspot.com/2012/09/agoa-renewal-recommendations-sought-by.html

http://internationaltradeforeverydaypeople.blogspot.com/2012/07/africa-sourcing-and-agoa-extension.html


Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com
 
Keep up with me:

On Twitter @fashcompliance https://twitter.com/fashcompliance

On Facebook http://on.fb.me/17Pocfj

On YouTube http://bit.ly/12a9lau