Hey lovelies!

I went along to my first networking event 😀 The event was held at The Corinthian Club– one of Glasgow’s most prestige venue space for fine dining, gaming and meeting hire.

The Scottish Fashion Network is a simple concept; we aim to deliver the platform for all manner of professionals & businesses that have a vested interest in the Fashion, Design & Textiles industries in Scotland to make relevant, high-quality business connections and establish new business relationships.

Whether you’re a textiles manufacturer, a designer, model, blogger, boutique owner, agency, marketing consultant, merchandiser, brand ambassador, stylist or any other role that falls under the Fashion & Textiles umbrella; our events are for you!

http://www.scottishfashionnetwork.co.uk/

The networking opportunity was marketed very well! I first came across the Scottish Fashion Network poster on LinkedIn as I am connected to the founder Gordon Daniel McGuire, the poster popped up on my News feed on Facebook, which was shared by my like page on Facebook –Dream to Inspire. Farah – the founder of Metropolitan Fashion invited me on to the event pages for The Scottish Fashion Network. My cousin Nilufar a textile graduate from Heriot Watt University was also invited along but she’s in London for the new Designers internship! I went along with my childhood friend Saleema Ali one of Scotland’s most recognised Makeup Artist and also one for the organisers from Charity Week- ladies night.

On Friday the 23rd of May there was a fire at the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art. All the money raised from the evening went towards financial support for the significant damage to this iconic building.

The Corinthian club is worth an estimate of £5.7m! The 1920s themed building is inspired by the buildings past life as the Union Bank of Scotland. The venue was crafted by Scotland’s leading craftsmen which has painstakingly hand-crafted to form the image of Queen Victoria as she appeared on old banknote.

The iconic 26’ Corinthian dome remains a focal point in the new Tellers Bar and Brasserie where designers have also uncovered a stairway, The Corinthian Club has revolutionised Glasgow’s meeting, eating, socialising and gaming scene, boasting 14 rooms spaced across 5 floors. Creating more than 200 jobs for the city, the unique venue is open 24 hours and is the only one of its kind in the UK to offer a range of bars, clubs, restaurant, meetings rooms as well as a stunning gaming room all under one roof.

Trip advisor also suggest customer feedback such as “Excellent Venue and service” “Great service”.

I learnt during the event, this was the Scottish Fashion network’s first gathering! As a new blogger and when I heard it was being held at the Corinthian I assumed the organisation has been an ongoing event! Great use of strategic marketing!

I bought my ticket on Eventbrite which was a graphic form of the ticket, this is great use of keeping environmentally friendly, as there was no print outs needed. In a recent report I submitted in University I suggested that Events that use environmental tactics are proven to be more sustainable in the long run. These statistics can be used for sponsorships and future annual reports.

It was great seeing a few familiar faces and also meeting a bunch of new faces 🙂 6 months ago I would not know anyone from the events and fashion industry in Scotland and now it was great seeing: Farah from FazFashion Diary which I have worked alongside a number of time, Edinburgh Metropolitan Fashion Show 2014, Peppy Miller etc. Nicole a H&M work colleague and Fashion Blogger from Cocomadeherdoit, Kifah a model and an events assistant, the fashion industry leaders Lynne McCrossan, Colin Gilchrist and Ruth Walker which were the judges from Edinburgh Metropolitan Fashion Show 2014!

I also finally met Sheri from Forever Yours, Betty! One of the most recognised bloggers in Scotland! We both were excited to finally see each other face to face!

The two front of house staff were lovely! The girls study fashion marketing and textiles in Heriot-Watt, Galashiels. I loved talking to the girls as they reminded me of myself a few years ago! Eager to learn.  I suggest that as a student, businesses will be intrigued by your statues as ‘I am a student want to learn on work experience and I am up to-date and the future…” I love helping new and upcoming members of the industry so I advised the girls to-do as many voluntary work experience and start building their contacts from today.

 

There was a few boutiques in one of the two rooms. One of the pop up stands was from the charming Rabbie, the owner of Rabbie Denim Glasgow. A self-taught designer, who hand stitches his exclusive jeans range. Rabbie Denim was named as the most creative jeans designer in the world by the financial times. I’m glad Rabbie found my name Sultana amusing, I had to explain ‘Sultana’ not as the dry fruit but the definition of Sultana – as it’s an Arabic name which means Queen, Empress, Power and Leader (i.e. Female Sultan), Who run the world 😉

One of the other pop up stalls was Malizee- a digital personalised shopping app with a social twist. This interactive app is the new way to go forward with shopping and technology!

I loved the free amenity of taking pictures and printing for us to take away.

http://instagram.com/p/prv58LjltB/?modal=true

#FashionForward

I loved the Shirt Thomas Haywood the photographer was wearing! I actually thought it was a Hawes and Curtis shirt and was impressed to hear it was from ShirtByHand, a company that tailor fits your shirt to your exact size and fit! Where have you been my whole life!

Overall well done Gordon for putting this together! As an Events Graduate I am amazed with the strategic marketing with the different levels of marketing used i.e. social networking platform, event being held at the Corinthian club and the best blog competition. I am so impressed by the environmental and technological sustainability efforts- as the tickets are paper free and having the Malizee involved, which promotes the future of technology.

Keep up the great work Scottish Fashion Network! Excited for the next gathering 😀 Hopefully it will be in Edinburgh this time 🙂

Dream to inspire ❤ ❤

Sultana ❤