Participants of the international mentoring programme were able to learn from world-renowned experts

Participants of the joint mentoring programme of the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana have once again turned one step closer to taking over foreign markets. The training programme started with online workshops during which international industry professionals introduced the mentees to the basic concepts of business.

Out of the fashion brands that completed the Hungarian mentoring programme, six brands were given the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and participate in the joint mentoring programme of HFDA and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. The selected Hungarian fashion brands - Alma Vetlényi, NINI, Kata Szegedi, ZIA, MERO and THEFOUR - started the programme’s first phase of the workshops online due to the virus situation, out of which 19 workshops have been completed so far.

In addition to discovering trends and inspirations, the international mentoring programme is also supporting the development of brands in the fields of business, law, and communications. The entry of the mentees into the international market is facilitated by recognized experts in the fashion industry, who have been sharing their knowledge and experience with the brands during workshops. Firstly, the participants were able to get an overall, comprehensive picture of the role of a stylist from Indie Magazine’s fashion editor and consultant, Serena Pompei. They then immersed themselves in the business and legal issues of fashion by studying international contracts, followed by further developing their existing knowledge in the field of social media communication.

As environmental protection is one of the most important issues within the industry, participants were able to learn about the role of sustainable fashion from the founder of the world-renowned C.L.A.S.S. organisation, Giusy Bettoni. For the brands to be able to present themselves properly on an international stage, basic PR knowledge is essential. To help them with this, the vice-president of consulting company Karla Otto assisted the mentees. Showrooms also have a big role to play in raising the international profile of brands, so the trainings also covered how they operate, presenting the showrooms of Sari Spazio, Massimo Bonini and Studio Zeta. This was followed by an online meeting with Sogue Sozzani, vice-president of Vogue Italia and head of Vogue Talents, who held a presentation on discovering new talent and selecting the right staff.

Participants were also able to draw inspiration for their collections still underway: with the help of professional mentors, they reviewed international trends and inspirations, focusing on materials, colors and style notes, and then discussed the usage of these inspirations. They then gained insight into manufacturing processes, various technologies, and working with silk, wool, and leather through an online presentation. The brands were given precise instructions on how to meet the needs of global consumer habits and by doing so, getting closer to cross-border customers. Subsequent sessions focused on international sales, business models, and collaborations.

Following the workshops, the mentees selected by CNMI will be able to present their brands to international audience and buyers, taking into consideration the up-to-date virus situation and restrictions.

Throughout the mentoring programme, the designers have the opportunity for ongoing, one-to-one conversations with CNMI experts, where the brands receive a detailed analysis of their completed collections and then work with professional mentors to identify their direction of development. With this knowledge gained, the designers and brands can move forward confidently on the path to entering international markets.