Gabriella at the Alexandra Shulman/Dolly Jones FBC meeting, courtesy of Vogue.com
As vice president of international sales and business development for power brand, Diane von Furstenberg, FBC member Gabriella Piccinni was invited to talk about what it is like working for a global fashion company and what her strategy is for expansion. At a seminar organised by Harrods and the BFC Colleges Council, Gabriella shared her years of acquired knowledge to heads of colleges, tutors, and students at the Harrods auditorium.
Gabriella says, “it was important to get involved as students and teachers need to know the business side of the fashion industry. Logistics, distribution and a sales team are all key factors to any designer’s expansion, as is knowing the retailers and understanding the markets where they sit,” and Gabriella’s advice to future designers: “stay humble, know your retailers and don’t let your ego take over when your brand first becomes successful. Keep it real and you will make it happen.”
