Breakout Sessions

Best SEO Tips for Fashion E-Commerce in 2023

Glynis Tao, SEO Expert
You will learn 5 simple (but essential) SEO strategies that you can apply to your website right away so you can start building organic traffic to your website. In this session I will cover: What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? Why is SEO important for fashion e-commerce companies? How does Google actually work? A way to bring in more traffic and build your brand without relying on paid advertisement. You will walk away from this session with: An SEO strategy that’s been optimized for 2023—and beyond. A way to bring in more traffic and build your brand without relying on paid advertisement. An understanding of how Google actually works and how to get your website to rank high in Google.

Visual Control Boards A Simple Solution to Managing Concurrent Product Development Projects

Pete Frickland, Principal at Concurrent Product Development
The pandemic has changed how we do new product development. Apparel and hardware product teams are still working on dozens of development projects spanning multiple seasonal releases, but they are doing so from remote, distributed locations. Efficient and effective communication and coordination are always key challenges. Electronic Visual Control Boards (VCBs), adapted from Lean Manufacturing, have been used to simplify the planning, communication, and management of large portfolios of projects quickly and easily. Best in class product teams are coordinating hundreds of projects 15 minutes or less per week. Importantly, the software needed to do this is likely already on your desktop.
In this presentation, we will show how to organize development projects and processes to minimize the time spent managing so that we can maximize the time spent creating. Heavy use of visual tools and iconography make the approach highly useful for coordinating teams of different cultures in multiple locations as well as for on-boarding new team members.
Who Should Attend
Manufacturers and suppliers, specifically executives, directors and managers that are involved the planning, design, development, commercialization, launch and curation new products with diverse, distributed product teams.
Take-aways
1. How to simplify the management of new product development using VCBs
2. An understanding of the main tools needed to apply VCBs to virtual product team workflows
3. Examples of high-performing VCBs in use today
Key Words
New Product Development, Process Management, Project Management, Product Portfolio Management, Visual Control Boards, Phase-Gate, Process Flow Charts, Deliverables Roadmap, Gantt Charts, Stand-Up Meetings, Development Calendars, Go-to-Market, Distributed Development Teams, On-boarding

CLO 3D Basics

Roz McNulty, 3D Apparel and Educator
Want to learn some of the essential basics in CLO 3D? Roz McNulty will take you through one of the lessons in her new online course. An interactive experience for anyone with CLO 3D or the 30 day free download. Roz can teach you how to create a basic pattern with lines and curves. The real beginning of working with line selection, nodes and curves. Plus some extra quick tips and tricks. If there is time in the class we will even do some basic sewing of your first sample. Roz will be at hand to ask further questions about CLO 3D. Roz has had several years experience with CLO 3D and three past CLO 3D courses she developed for MOTIF. (If you want to follow along with her demo, CLO 3D has a free trial. Ensure you are downloaded and ready to go with your lap top. Or simply watch and take notes and ask questions!)

Closed Loop Recycling of Aromatic Polyamide Used Garments and Fabrics in Canada

Dave Kasper, Vice President, Sales and Product Development, General Recycled Ltd
General Recycled (GR) is a Vancouver based textile recycler. GR's patented "Made in Canada" process and product involves working with end-users to shred their used garments and fabrics back into fibre...then spinning recycled yarn...weaving and/or knitting recycled fabrics, which are then 3rd party independently certified to meet existing flash fire and electrical arc flash CGSB and NFPA standards. Last but not least, all recycled aramid garments and fabrics can be recycled repeatedly, so everything GR puts in the marketplace, we want back...and the cycle continues. Our operations include a triage warehouse in Leduc Alberta, and an aramid shredding facility in Val-des-Sources, Quebec. One of a kind, at scale, closed loop, recycling in Canada. How can GR's process help with polyester and other synthetic garment recycling?

Exploring the Art and Craftsmanship of Haute Couture: Patterns, Fit, and Technology

Ryan Amore, Designer
In this discussion, We will examine the skill and attention to detail involved in designing high fashion and haute couture garments, specifically focusing on patterns and fit. We will delve into the challenges and opportunities present in this niche sector of the fashion industry. We will further examine completed patterns and sewn gowns to gain a deeper understanding of the art of pattern making and the couture fitting process. Finally, we will explore how technology is impacting this field and the new developments being made to adapt to the digital age.

Lab: Here//Too//For

Hélène Day Fraser & Keith Doyle, Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media ECUAD
Emily Carr's Material Matters will share and discuss themes, concerns, and intentions connected to a living research lab that will be situated within an upcoming exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Fashion Fictions will survey of experimental design practices that exist at the intersection of fashion and other modes of cultural production. International in scope, the exhibition will explore the increasing influence of research-based, materially-driven practices on the global fashion scene. The majority of the exhibition will be comprised of work produced in the last ten years (2013–23), which will offer a snapshot of our present moment while acknowledging the proliferation of creative practices that challenge the aesthetic, material and technological conventions of fashion. For four months - from May 27 to October 7 , 2023 - Material Matters' Lab: here//too//for will be embedded within the exhibition, responding to the collection of work, continuing material research and engaging local and international colleagues in the apparel community through panel forum and event.

Fashion from the Heart

Sarah Murray, Facilitator, Flash & Soul
Drawing on elements from the Work that Reconnects, Fashion from the Heart is an interactive session that will explore fashion though the lens of what is beautiful and ugly about the industry. Come prepared to deepen into what fashion means for you and how this can impact the way you do your work. www.flashandsoul.ca

Find Your Niche: Targeting Overlooked Markets

Miranda Sam, founder of SHORTLISTED - elevated clothing for short(er) women
Doesn’t it seem like everyone is starting their own brand, these days? Even celebrity-backed beauty brands no longer seem to excite. But there’s always space to help underserved groups (different body types, heights, religious beliefs) overlooked by mass manufacturers. Miranda Sam will speak from her experience in the pre-startup phase of launching SHORTLISTED, a brand dedicated to elevating short women (5’4 and under).
This session covers:
• How to discover your niche
• Beyond choosing a niche audience: gaining clarity for your brand’s USP
• Uphill battles you might face in niche VS mass markets
• No budget for ads? How to use storytelling to your advantage
• Followers, likes, engagement? The most important marketing thing to focus
• Examples of focused on highly targeted niche markets + brainstorm

Generate More Revenue Online: 6 KPI's to Fuel Your Success

David Nagy , Founder, ECOMMERCECANADA.COM
Whether you're in the business of selling candles or selling cradles online, what matters most are the numbers. This session will explore how you can grow your online business using an operating system that involves 6 key metrics - or KPIs that you need to know. In this session, we will look at the difference between measures and metrics and how to gather data from your business to help drive profitability with your online sales. We’ll also discuss eCommerce penetration in Canada and the advancements driving online retail in 2023, such as ChatGPT, customer insights, marketing ROAS and more. Delivered by David Nagy, the Founder of eCommerce Canada and leading advisor on the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). A colour strategy supports the creation of colour palettes through the application of a holistic approach to the use and application of colour. Together we will explore possibilities of colour communication through symbolism, discover the power of seasonal colour psychology to build strong strategies and finally, use harmony to develop powerful colour palettes that connect with consumers and tell stories.

Get to know zero duty when importing

Dave Pentland, Vice President of Carson International
Importing garments/footwear/Accessories into Canada using Trade Agreements for zero duty

Honing Your Curiosity to Create Paradigm-Shifting Product

Keynote: Mike Valvano, President at Graphite International
Learn the how to train your superpower for a better innovative mindset. Whether you’re a designer, product manager or CEO, embracing curiosity will amplify the scope and standards of your creativity. It will help you find vision, approach your projects with fresh perspective, and empathize with your target customers and colleagues. We’re going to identify the key skills to focus on and show how they’ve been used to create award-winning product in the outdoor industry.

How to not pay duty into US with your ecomm business

Dave Pentland, Vice President of Carson International
Ecomm out of Canada and accessing the US marketplace without paying US duty on clothing, footwear and Accessories.

Let’s Chat! Fashion Entrepreneurs: What's your biggest challenge with growing your brand right now?

Glynis Tao, Entrepreneur
In this interactive session, we invite all fashion entrepreneurs, designers and clothing brand owners to join an open discussion to share the biggest challenges they are facing with growing their brand right now. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other fashion designers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals to collaborate, share resources, encourage and support one another.

Localization and Domestic Manufacturing

Kemp Edwards – President and CEO of Ethical Profiling Ltd.
The decision to focus on domestic and possibly even hyper local manufacturing is not one that any brand should take lightly. While there are a significant number of advantages to domestic manufacturing, not least of which are; reduced shipping costs, improved sustainability, enhanced quality control, and tighter supply chain management, electing to produce locally can also bring more than its fair share of headaches. In this discussion, we'll explore the distinct advantages and disadvantages of domestic manufacturing and how to harness them and/or avoid pitfalls to help propel you to success.

Navigating Digital Product Creation for Apparel

Stacy Holt – Founder and Principal, The Holt Co.
Are you wondering what Digital Product Creation (DPC) can look like in your organization? Maybe you’ve already picked your 3D authoring system, have a team keen to learn, and a supportive leader that can champion this change. What do you do next? I’ll break down steps for discovering the best way to onboard 3D into your product workflow, across teams. We’ll also touch on long-term strategies and short-term wins that set your team up for developing skills, managing assets, and integrating their new abilities.

The Pre-Production Process on the West Coast

Laela Blanchet, Dampkring Designs Business Owner & Fashion Program Coordinator @ VCAD
Are you looking to start your own clothing or accessory line and want to try selling it online &/or wholesale? Or do you currently have a collection you are selling that you are ready to start outsourcing for help? Or maybe you work with a large company that does it all under one roof, but are not sure how to take the next step to get the key people help so production can go faster? At the end of the day, all of these problems are connected to learning the process of how to take an idea into a product, which is what this interactive discussion will be. We will look at the overall cycle of idea to pattern to sample to sales, and discuss who, what, where, when, and why you need to get some team players behind your idea in order to get some momentum behind your business. The concept of integrating virtual design into the pre-production process, with programs such as CLO that uses avatars, will also be a part of this conversation. We will also look at where you can do it yourself, in order to save as much money in this process as possible! During this discussion, we will invite members of the audience to present their apparel ideas for a rough estimate on pre-production, & discuss some steps and cost in order to take your idea into a product. You can bring a sketch or picture, or a garment that represents your idea, or even just verbally describe what you are aiming to do – whatever you have to enable us to see your idea. We will discuss your idea in front of the group, and help you to problem solve & talk about the path from idea into a product you can sell. No idea is too small, every problem is solvable, and each idea is unique!

The Re: Session

Emily Miller Palmquist, Trend Consultant
The Re: Session - a closer look at predictions & scenarios ahead for navigating the apparel and consumer goods economy for the next 2-3 years. Join us as we propose and share ideas in concepts for creative strategy, ecology, consumer motivations & experiential retail.

Retail Ready: 3 Step Formula to Grow your Business through Retail

James Friedrich, Owner at Venturing Up and Senior Merchant at MEC
Is your business struggling to gain traction?
Have you tried to sell at retail, but haven’t been able to break through?
As a former entrepreneur James knows what it’s like to be in your shoes. Now, as a retail buyer running a successful multi-million dollar product portfolio, James is going to let you in on the behind the scenes strategies for retail success.
Strategy: How to set yourself up for success before you talk to retailers.
Placement: The secrets to creating a perfect sales pitch.
Amplify: How to keep your sales growing season over season.
Learn the 3 step formula for retail growth and transform your business!

Sustainability as Storytelling

Kemp Edwards – President and CEO of Ethical Profiling Ltd.
Sustainability has become a critical consideration in the apparel industry. The negative environmental impacts of garment manufacturing are widely known and easily communicated. As such, conscious brands are using sustainability metrics as a way to connect with consumers, who are increasingly conscious of the impact their purchasing decisions have on the planet. By highlighting their sustainable initiatives and practices, such as using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and promoting fair labor practices, brands can create a compelling story that resonates with consumers and sets them apart from their competitors. As our tools for storytelling continue to progress, some brands are using technology, such as augmented reality, to allow consumers to see the sustainability story behind their products. By showcasing their sustainability efforts, apparel brands aim to establish an emotional connection with consumers and create a compelling brand image that is aligned with their values.

Target Consumer Segments: The Post Pandemic Consumer

Lynette Seebohm, Principal at Concurrent Strategies LLC
Abstract
Market segments are shifting, are you up to date with the latest consumer drivers? This presentation postulates that what we have known in the past may no longer be relevant due to the impact of the pandemic and shifting economic trajectories of consumer generational groups. We will delve into the current state of consumer buying behaviours and examine trends in the outdoor market that suggest a need to reset the buying assumptions we used prior to 2020. The presentation will also discuss the concept of targeted consumer segments and how they can assist designers, product managers, and start-ups in focusing their efforts and improving performance. Additionally, we will analyze leading economic trends and their effects on various industries, highlighting the need for resetting our target consumer segment descriptions.
Who Should Attend
Manufacturers, product developers, and designers, specifically executives, directors and managers that are involved in the planning, design, development, commercialization, launch and curation new products with diverse, distributed product teams.
Take-aways
1. An understanding of the information needed to assess your target markets and ideal audiences.
2. How to identify your market access, which target segments do you serve now and who is out there for you to attract in the future.
3. Examples of emerging segment definitions and consumer characteristics that are driving sales forward post the pandemic mix up.
4. Assessing segment driven design best practices.
Key Words
New Product Development, Process Management, Project Management, Product Portfolio Management, Target Audience, Ideal Consumers, Ethos Driven Considerations, Paired Comparisons, Behavioural Segmentation, Improved Business Focus

Telling stories through colour

Ana d’ Carvalho,Personal+ Fashion Stylist and Colour expert
Beyond colour harmony and psychology, colour speaks in a thousand ways through tints and shades. In this session, we will explore the possibilities of colour strategy on garment applications and colour communication that connects with your consumer and adds brand value. A colour strategy supports the creation of colour palettes through the application of a holistic approach to the use and application of colour. Together we will explore possibilities of colour communication through symbolism, discover the power of seasonal colour psychology to build strong strategies and finally, use harmony to develop powerful colour palettes that connect with consumers and tell stories.

How to Fast Track Embedding Sustainability & Circularity in Your Business

Tracy Lydiatt - BSc (Hons), MSc, Textile Lab for Circularity - Managing Director
Sustainability for organizations is a multi-faceted topic that covers many major issues including GHG emissions, energy and water use, procurement, packaging, waste management, raw material selection, and employee health and wellbeing. Getting it “wrong” can dramatically impact your bottom line plus increase risks to organizational reputation, raise costs for insurance, and can make employee attraction and retention an uphill battle. So how do you know what to do first? In her talk, Tracy will cover key themes on how to operationalize sustainability, manage trade-offs and identify your biggest ROI steps. She’ll present a fundamental, science-based sustainability framework with world class success stories that have resulted from embedding sustainability at their core with specific textiles examples to share.

Interested in leading your own session at ApparelCamp?

Reach out to info@apparelcamp.org and we’ll help you prepare.

Here are some ideas:

  1. Do you have a story that could help others to learn from your experience?
  2. Present a case study of a time that you and your team developed a new product, entered a new market, took a risk, innovated etc.
  3. Do you have an idea for an interactive workshop? Use your creativity to develop a hands-on presentation that gets the audience engaged!
  4. Don’t want to be the only person in front of your peers? In a panel discussion, a moderator facilitates questions from the audience or a series of prepared questions for the panelists, but a significant part of the session is still interactive with a Q&A with the audience.
  5. Lead a Town Hall – The leader presents a short (20-30 minute max) informative topic, open-ended question or premise and opens the floor for expansion, comment, questions and general discussion.