Style Cable is a company we were introduced to when we began working on the Fashion 360 Conference. Our goal while planning this event in DC was to have a mixture of experts in DC and also those outside the area. Speaking to Uyen I was immediately excited because we both share a great love for emerging fashion designers. The talent that comes from such designers around the world has really caught our attention. Having Style Cable on board as a Panelist during the Fashion 360 Conference, I knew we would have the chance to further help emerging brands. We have already partnered with Shop Love DC which cateres to emerging designers, but now we go deeper into providing them with a online platform to further engage and grow their audience. What makes Style Cable very compelling to a designer is the fact they no longer have to struggle to get their items on popular sale sites. Yes we can name several flash sales sites, but when you look at those sites, the majority of the designers they support are major brands. Well Style Cables gives emerging designers a voice and we were happy to catch up with Uyen to talk about what to expect at the Fashion 360 Conference.   District fete: How important is having an online platform to a designer? Style Cable: It’s essential! A website, whether it’s an active ecommerce site or simply a site to showcase the designer’s portfolio, is critical to connecting with customers. The playing field has changed now and online platforms ranging from Amazon to Etsy to Ebay and more niche platforms such as STYLECABLE have made it easier for designers to gain direct access to customers online without having to go through middlemen such as showrooms and buyers. Online marketing channels allow designers to reach their customers faster and at a lower cost than ever before, so everyone should take advantage of these tools. Beyond just having a site, designers should have a social media presence in order to connect and engage with their audience. Designers can use social media platforms to push messages out to their customers, and also to learn about what their customers want. So if you’re not on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, get on it! District Fete: Who are some of your favorite emerging designers? Style Cable: We are working with really talented designers who are showcasing their pieces on STYLECABLE. They all have their own distinctive styles and compelling stories that will make customers become fans. While it’s hard to pick who some of my “favorite” are, I want to highlight some of our first designers to work with us: Horse + Nail is a very edgy and cool brand with amazing high quality leather pieces. They’re definitely statement pieces that will turn heads. I’m also impressed by the craftsmanship and care that goes into each piece. Additionally, I’m really excited about Deux Ames. I want to wear every piece in the collection. The clean lines, draping and cool fabrics are characteristics that are attractive to today’s modern, young-at-heart woman who always aspires to look cool and confident. District Fete: What key topic at the Fashion 360 Conference do you plan to share with attendees? Style Cable: I’m excited about the Fashion 360 Conference and I’m looking forward to talking about how to integrate an online strategy with a designer’s overall marketing and branding strategy. Each designer’s brand is in essence a business, and I want to share tangible tips that will help them grow their market presence and expand their business. District Fete: Being based in DC, how do you see the fashion community here in regards to emerging talent? Style Cable: There is a lot of talent in the DC metro area to include Maryland and Virginia as well. Let’s face it, New York, LA and Miami are known to be the fashion hubs in the U.S., so there’s a lot of talent that flocks to those cities. However, the creative class in DC is growing and we should work to nurture that talent by supporting these designers’ businesses and also grow the supporting infrastructure around the designers such as suppliers, manufacturers, photographers, and advocating for business incentives that will keep people in the DC area. I’m constantly discovering new talent here in DC and there’s a real momentum from people who want to build the fashion community here, so I have faith that the community will only grow stronger.  

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