Portobello West is excited to be hosting our first ever Business of Design Conference on Saturday, April 5th! The full day event runs from 9:00am-6:00pm and features 4 panels of industry experts covering topics including Business, Sales, Promotions and all things Online!
This Conference is open to all designers and artisans (not just fashion vendors), students and those who simply want the tools to help them grow their businesses. Registration is open until Sunday March 30th at 6:00pm! Space is limited so be sure to apply right away > [Sign-up HERE]
Here’s an introduction to just a few of the speakers you’ll meet next Saturday:
Jessica Vaira | Sales Panel
Jess Vaira moved to Vancouver after a childhood of running through the forests on Vancouver Island to facilitate her passion for music and an obsession with fabric, thread and yarn.
After graduating from the Helen LeFeaux school of fashion design in 2003 she joined forces with two of her classmates to run twigg&hottie boutique which is now 10 years strong. Focusing on Local Canadian, Ethical and Sustainable design, the shop encourages women of all ages and walks of life to find clothes and accessories that resonate with their own personal style as well as their values.
In 2008 they launched their house label We3 Designs (now on their 12th season) which is produced locally from sustainable fibres and wholesaled across Canada and the US. She also does all the production for her own personal line Clementine Clothing, in which she dabbles in ready to wear, bathing suits, lingerie, custom work as well as alterations. Being both a retailer as well as a designer and manufacturer gives Jess a very unique and well rounded perspective on what it takes to make beautiful garments that have great sell through.
Laura Norbury | Promotions Panel
Laura Norbury entered the communications and marketing world in 2008 as a Publicity Coordinator for local fashion designers and retailers at the Honey Mustard (now Fashion Capsule). Since then, she has expanded her expertise in Experiential and Digital Marketing for notable brands like Bell, Richmond Centre, and Bootlegger.
Laura has recently switched gears, working freelance, and marketing up and coming startup Natural Source Snacks. She speaks, writes blogs, and makes media of all kinds, you can find her at www.linkedin.com/in/
Shauna Kaendo | Online Panel
Shauna Kaendo is the founder, designer and project manager of Hey Shauna Web Design. A small web design studio based in Vancouver, Hey Shauna focuses on projects that support and contribute to a flourishing local community…in the arts, small business and non-profit. And has been fortunate to work with a flurry of brilliant and inspiring artists, designers, writers, arts organizations, performing arts presenters and festivals, and small business forgers of all sorts.