mfms 2024

The conversation then examined how the advent of the internet affected the fashion magazine industry. Although Newhouse views its influence as relatively small in its early stages, he acknowledged its power growth about ten years ago. He adapted to this situation by producing digital content, but said, “We quickly, or maybe not so quickly, realized that producing something online from taking a print product, that people consume digitally in a different way… so we came into it with ideas that we thought would work, and almost everything didn’t go like we thought.” Throughout the process of adapting to technology and social media, Newhouse learned from his mistakes and advised the audience that, “If you’re in business and you don't fail, it means you’re not trying enough new things.” Furthering this point, he emphasized the ever-changing nature of the industry and stressed keeping a keen monitor on these changes. 

Delving more into specific facets of social media, Newhouse acknowledged the risks and downsides of user-generated content in its vulgarity and unpredictability. Additionally, he explained the changes made within Condé Nast to keep up with this trend, such as transitioning from a publishing company to a brand blending e-commerce, multimedia content, print magazines, and digital products. Condé Nast’s use of the internet has broken an audience barrier: even the average person can receive information on previously exclusive, high-end fashion brands. He closed his keynote with some advice to his younger self: “Don’t be scared, try things, do what you love.”

DEVELOPING PERSONAL AND TEAM BRANDS IN THE AGE OF NIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA

The second panel featured Michigan football stars Blake Corum and Will Johnson, alongside former football player and entrepreneur Jared Wangler, moderated by Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Co-President of Moelis and Company. Wangler opened the conversation with an explanation of how NIL (Names, Image, and Likeness) has evolved to support the personal branding of athletes. Corum went on to talk about his personal branding strategy, realizing that “I am the brand. Blake Corum is the brand.” He emphasized the importance of value alignment with partnerships, suggesting, “Don't accept every deal. Even if the money sounds good, you want to work with good people, you want to build relationships.” Johnson offered his perspective on building a team brand: “Having a good team behind you, that aligns with all your goals and things that you’re interested in… finding ways to bring that engagement with the NIL, the fans, the team, was one of my real goals in bringing my team’s brand to the NIL space.” 

Corum closed the incredibly personal conversation with a bit on his own brand mission: “I'm big in trying to create change, especially for the youth. If we can help older people as well, try to change their mindset, help them out, that's what it's supposed to be at the end of the day…giving back and helping others that's what it's all about.” To wrap up the conversation, the football stars gave some insights into their favorite fashion brands. Johnson shyly shared that he prefers more high-end brands such as Dior and Armani, whereas Corum described himself as frugal, lightheartedly joking about working on his personal style.

ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF 

Attendees had the opportunity to listen to a live “Skinny Confidential: Him and Her Podcast” recording as entrepreneurs and influencers known for The Skinny Confidential and Dear Media, Lauryn and Michael Bosstick spoke about their journey to thriving in personal wellness, confidence, and doing what they love. From the onset of their candid chat, they stressed the importance of creating healthy habits as the foundation in order to truly manifest your goals. They suggested a Monday through Friday schedule of incorporating habits such as prioritizing sleep, putting your phone away at night, and redirecting extra time to self-care, without packing your schedule to the brim. Lauryn stated, “My advice would not be to do everything,” and followed up with “Instead of doing twenty things okay, do one thing that is excellent.” 

With the guidance of moderators Ava Shapiro and Mary Kate McGrath, the Bosstick’s chat also explored both personal and professional advice. One main takeaway was to start now–start exploring your interests, build your network, or even begin creating your dream business. In the process, they suggested reframing mistakes as missteps: focusing on long-term goals, being patient with brand growth, and learning leadership skills along the way. Michael emphasized, “You are allowed to change your mind,” to instill the message that life has its twists and turns, as learned through getting stuck in his self-perceived identity while starting his podcast company Dear Media. The captivating chat closed with a tandem message to be yourself in both personal and business facets of life.  

HAIR AND HOLLYWOOD

Renowned hairstylist Chris Appleton opened his keynote with a personal anecdote of how he got into hairstyling–doing his mom’s hair and seeing her confidence boost instantly. He noted, “This is a sort of superpower, you really get to make people not just look good, but feel good.” Appleton refers to hairstyling as a sort of emotional medicine to increase confidence and shape personal identity. Additionally, he invited the audience to think about the power of the beauty industry and its importance for celebrity public persona as he claimed, “image is everything.” 

Appleton then transitioned into speaking about his branding, which landed him in the position he is today. After years of showing his craft on Instagram and other social media platforms, teams of major celebrities, such as Jeniffer Lopez, reached out to him. Speaking from his own experience, “putting it out on social media to show who you are, you’d be amazed at how many people look.” Moreover, social media has allowed him and other influencers to humanize themselves and make personal connections to their following. 

In terms of the future, Appleton expresses a wish to not be confined to the realm of hair styling. Moderator Rachel Liebrenthal suggests possible television and podcast appearances to further evolve his personal brand. He finished with, “My key message is just never allow yourself to be put into a box.”  

CELEBRITY, STYLING, AND STRATEGY: THE BUSINESS BEHIND ‘THE LOOK

Our next panel featured Paige DeSorbo, podcaster and Bravo TV star, and co-founders of their own acclaimed celebrity styling business, Ali Gropper and Danielle O’Connell. Ali and Dani opened with a bit about their journey into the fashion styling business. As the pandemic winded down, O’Connell said, “We saw a huge gap in the social celebrity not having a stylist, a stylist was reserved for more A-list talent.” They questioned why social media influencers did not have stylists, as they are arguably the most influential people on the internet. 

Paige DeSorbo, one of their first clients, explained how styling is a collaborative process. DeSorbo walked through the process to get to the look she tries to achieve, starting with brainstorming, Ali and Danielle shopping for pieces, then going through a fitting. She emphasized how, although she loves being trendy, “Style is so much more, it’s how you express what you feel that day.” DeSorbo also offered advice on building a corporate closet when starting your first official job. Amazon fashion has expanded its scope in offering trendy, classic, and stylish looks for less–which she takes full advantage of. “When it comes to making big purchases, I ask myself how many ways I can wear it?” she said. 

In terms of starting their careers and achieving their dreams, Gropper’s biggest advice is to “be a sponge.” She details how learning and absorbing the wisdom of experts will set you up for success. O’Connell emphasizes taking small steps toward your big goals and appreciating your evolution and growth. DeSorbo  has a more manifesting approach– “my advice always is, literally take a day and write down everything you think you’d want.” For the aspiring influencer and anyone wanting to go into the fashion industry, DeSorbo validated that she too has made several mistakes but worked her way up from the bottom. “Truly throwing yourself into every situation…taking every opportunity, every internship, every informational phone call,” is Paige DeSorbo’s top tip.  

NETWORKING HOUR

Thanks to our wonderful partnerships team, the Michigan Fashion Media Summit offered coffee chat sessions with companies such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Balenciaga, Guess, PVH, Neiman Marcus, and more. Students who arrived early on summit day were able to sign up for this exclusive networking opportunity and send in their resumes. 

FROM MICHIGAN TO MADHAPPY

Peiman Raf, the founder of the beloved MadHappy clothing brand, came back as a Michigan alum to share his advice with attendees. Moderated by Ken Pilot, founder of Ken Pilot Ventures, Raf began by describing his motivation for building a brand: “We all go through hard times, but we can still be optimistic about those times.” From there, Raf described his journey to building his wildly successful brand on the foundation of a Michigan education. In defining this journey, he stated, “When you start something, I think you don’t realize how little you know and really how much you have to figure things out as you go.” Although he learned a lot through academia and clubs on campus, he emphasized the important lessons shown through hands-on work.