Press Release
 San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave. Stockton, CA 95207 |
Media Advisory |
For Immediate Release
09/10/11
Fashion Industry Leaders Converge on Delta College, Sept. 29!
Have you always wanted to work in the fashion industry?
San Joaquin Delta College’s Fashion Program will present a unique opportunity to meet leading insiders from the fashion industry. If you have fashion in your blood, and yearn for a career in the fashion, you won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime “Meet the Fashion Industry Insiders” event on Thur., Sept. 29, 5 – 7 p.m. at Delta’s Tillie Lewis Theater.
This event is free and open to the public!
Influential fashion leaders will share their perspectives on the industry, offer advice on getting your foot in the door, dispel myths about the fashion business, and provide a "real world” view of the fashion industry.
This year’s diverse lineup is a “powerhouse” panel of insiders from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. Areas of specialization include: celebrity styling, fashion design, ethical fashion and bespoke design, fashion law, high-end fashion retail and fashion education. Attendees will have the opportunity gain “exclusive inside knowledge” about the business.
The panel includes: Michael Palladino, Director of Student Life at LIM College in New York and former celebrity stylist and Client Services Director for Henri Bendels; Jeni Elizabeth, celebrity stylist in Los Angeles for awards shows and a variety of celebrity clients; Billy Hutchinson, former Delta Fashion student and current Assistant Manager of Gump’s in San Francisco; Uduak Oduok, Fashion & Entertainment Law Attorney & Publisher for Ladybrille Magazine, and Renata Campion, fashion designer and owner of Trooyu fashion and footwear.
This is the third year that Delta’s Fashion Program at has presented this event. Last year’s event was a standing-room only success. “We were expecting a full-house, but had no idea how popular this event had become,” observed Leslie Asfour, Director of Delta’s Fashion Program. “We quickly realized that there is a demand for fashion events in Stockton. Many people in our community are interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry. We are looking forward to an even larger event this year, so we’ve moved the presentations from Danner Hall to Tillie Lewis Theater!”
The Fashion students who attended last year were truly inspired. “Listening to what the panelists had to say really confirmed my desire to be a part of this industry and pursue my dreams of working as a stylist and event planner,” said Delta Fashion/Merchandising grad Camille Wall, who is now running her own styling and events business. “I was inspired and motivated by all the insiders and felt honored to have the opportunity to talk with them one-on-one. I can’t wait for this year’s event!”
Fashion Merchandising Instructor Nicole Grauman worked with Asfour to coordinate the “Insiders” events. “The students left the event motivated and encouraged to move forward with their educational and career goals,” said Grauman. “They gained much valuable advice and inside information from professionals who have diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
Billy Hutchinson, Assistant Manager of Gump’s in San Francisco, has participated in the event since its inception. “I've been telling everyone I come in contact with about what a positive and inspiring event Leslie Asfour and the Delta crew put on. It’s an honor and pleasure to be a part such a great panel. I enjoyed listening to everyone's fashion industry stories.”
Coordinating an event like this was easy, according to Asfour, “I simply put my feelers out to my own industry friends and they responded immediately.” Asfour, who has over 38 years of industry experience, and still works as a consultant to some impressive retail brands and designers, has been a faculty member at Delta for 19 years. She is well-known for building the Delta’s fashion program into one that’s recognized throughout the U.S.
Panelist Michael Palladino explains, “I am honored to be a part of this annual event. Leslie Asfour is a dedicated professional who leads by example and is proof positive of ‘the power of networking.’ ‘Meet The Industry Insiders’ allows me to share my thirty years of professional experience with the next generation of fashion industry insiders, as well as the opportunity to reach out into the community and help others find a path towards a rewarding career.” Palladino emphasizes, “Leslie Asfour is a force to be reckoned with and a powerful ambassador for Delta College in recruiting students. I hope to see everyone there!”
“This event is FREE and open to anyone interested in getting into the fashion industry,” Asfour stresses. “The industry’s best will come to Stockton and relate ‘real world’ experiences and advice about the fashion business. We want to bring the ‘fashionistas’ to Delta College! See you Thursday, Sept. 29, 5-7 p.m. at the Tillie Lewis Theater.”
For additional information/pictures from last year's event, please visit: http://www.deltacollege.edu/div/finearts/fashion/MEETTHEFASHIONINDUSTRYINSIDERS.htm.
For maps, directions, and parking information, visit www.deltacollege.edu
For additional event information, contact Leslie Asfour, Fashion Program Director, San Joaquin Delta College, 209.954.5573, lasfour@deltacollege.edu.
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