One of the many highlights and key learnings of this delegation trip to New York City was the night of the brand pitches. Taking place at German Photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth’s photo studio 16Beaver Studio, the participants arrived prepared to deliver their practiced 2-minute pitches to a panel of esteemed jury members.

Lili Radu (CEO Vee Collective), Maika Nakaoka (Head of Creativity Swarovski), Joan Myung (Managing Director Samsung & CT Fashion Group) and Melissa Wiggins (Managing Director Fashion Division BPCM) formed a panel of industry experts whose professions allowed different angles of insights and commentary.

They attentively engaged with each of the nine brand pitches before examining jewelry and fashion looks that the participants had curated to showcase alongside their presentations. Additionally, lookbooks for each label were handed out which had been specifically designed for this delegation trip.

Feedback was given after each pitch, with the Jury haven taken their time to contemplate the brands from their respective standpoints. It was a valuable opportunity for the participants to perfect their pitches and receive individually tailored feedback from US market specialists.

The participants were coached beforehand through webinars from the FCG education platform re.FASHION ACADEMY and led in New York by Kim Lenar-Ehrhardt, CEO of The Kim Code.

Networking amongst the participants and jury members continued after the pitches. It was an evening filled with creative exchange, with the focal point of bringing out the best of each participant’s pitch to present and market their brand overseas.