XDEV1072 - Business Operations 101 for Design and Fashion

Course Description

How Supply Chain, Leadership & Sustainability Connect & Why They Matter Most in the New World of Fashion

In 2020 The world has changed in a way that will impact the career path for artists and designers across every creative platform. Areas dramatically impacted include:

• Design, fashion and retail industries rapidly reduced in size, relevancy, predictability and purpose post COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Increased emphasis on sustainability and how fashion must understand and address its impact on the environment as a required component of its design and business models.
• Need for transformation across large Brands and Corporations, and new challenges for small designers attempting to develop their own path and Businesses.
• Impact on the economy, jobs, profits, and consumer engagement.
• New roles and opportunities for women as leaders in Business.
• Immediate need for greater representation, opportunities and mentoring for Black People and People Of Color pursuing design and creative careers, where diversity is often lacking.

This relatable and inspiring workshop will provide exclusive, rare insight, storytelling, preparation tips and leadership guidance by one of the Fashion Industry’s most successful operations executives.... helping creatives navigate this evolving world. Students will achieve fundamental knowledge of the business and operations side of creative businesses and brands, preparing them for creating their own successful structure, navigation and leadership. Topics include Sustainability, Supply Chain, eCommerce and Business Leadership are all areas creatives are now expected to be familiar in order to reach their ideal audience.

Recommended to individuals beginning a career in design and fashion industries as well as professionals who are seeking to develop business knowledge and skills in this area.

About Frida Bailey:
While the business side of the fashion industry has been disrupted over recent years, for more than 15 years, Frida’s career as an Operations Executive, Retail Innovator, Change Agent and Cultural Pioneer has encompassed the world’s most notable Fashion, Luxury & Sportswear brands, where she has bridged Iconic Designs, Brand Founders and Creative Visionaries to their Consumers. Responsible for more than 5 billion units of product reaching global consumers from major brands like Ralph Lauren, adidas, YEEZY, Club Monaco, Stella McCartney and REEBOK, she has lead expansive and diverse teams around the world, long before topics like sustainability, supply chain, e-commerce, women in STEM and diversity in the C-suite were as prominent as they have become in 2020.

Mastering the ability to understand, translate and enable creative visions, she’s brought commercial foresight, operational discipline, leadership and analytical innovation to her role in these positions, navigating business worlds historically reserved for men, while also being the first (and only) Woman of Color to hold the most senior executive position for more than 3 different multi-billion revenue companies, overseeing Fashion Supply Chains and Brand Operations within industry sectors where women leaders are in less than 5% (supply chain) and people of color are in less than 1% (fashion) of leadership and decision-making roles.