Sustainability and business in fashion: MELBA class with Réka Szentesi and Kinga Csengő

The latest edition of the MELBA SCHOOL 2023 series is dedicated to fashion design and the topic Sustainability and business in fashion, moderated by Réka Szentesi and Kinga Csengő, mentors of some of the most significant projects of the Hungarian Design and Fashion Agency.

The class is suitable for graduate students, young, practicing textile and fashion designers as well as owners of Bulgarian fashion brands. The two-day practical course focuses on two highly relevant topics for the development of any contemporary fashion brand: sustainability and business sales.

The practical two-day course provides an in-depth look at the key steps in building a business strategy, developing a focused business mindset, generating sales and building a sustainable brand. The course looks at sustainability as a system that works not just towards reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing, but also as a system for producing marketable products. Otherwise it is a waste of time, money, energy, materials and talent.

WHEN AND WHERE
First part of the class:
22 November, Wednesday, from 10:00 – 16:00 | Hungarian Cultural Institute Sofia, 10:00 – 16:00, 16 Aksakov Street, Sofia
Second part of the class:
23 November, Thursday, from 10:00 – 16:00 | Hungarian Cultural Institute Sofia, 16 Aksakov Street, Sofia
WHO IS IT FOR?
Textile and fashion designers. Professionals and employed in the field. Students in the field. People with knowledge of textiles and fashion. Anyone who is discovering the world of textile design as a new career opportunity.

PROGRAMME of the two-day course:
22 November, Wednesday
10:00 Welcome and brief introduction of the speakers
10:15-11:00 Presentation of the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency and its projects
11:00-13:00 First lecture:
Sustainable Fashion
What is sustainability?
The global fashion supply system and how the industry works
Fast fashion as a business model vs. slow fashion
The problems associated with overconsumption and overproduction
Environmental and social problems of the fashion industry
EU sustainability directives
Best practices for fashion brands to become more sustainable
13:00-14:00 ч. Lunch break

14:00-16:00 ч. Second lecture:
Business and Sales: Definition of sales, difference between sales and merchandising. The work of the sales representative and the sales team
How do designers work together with the sales rep in a team? How to put together a collection that sells well? Seasonal discounts
How to create a sellable product?
Buyer – who is the buyer, how do we work and communicate with them?
Pricing strategies
Differences between local and international market#

23 November, Thursday

10:00-13:00 Practical task (group work) Designing a small collection of 5 silhouettes using sustainability principles + preparing sales materials in line with the collection, pricing the designed products;Preparing a description of the collection;

13:00-13:30 Lunch break

13:30-15:30 Presentation of the collection to a fictitious buyer (speaker)

Task assessment

WHAT DO I NEED FOR THE CLASS?

Participants should bring personal computers, preferably with design software installed, otherwise paper (A3 or A4 / 5-6 per person, pencils for drawing/designing); scissors, glue sticks and old fashion magazines for making so-called “mood boards”.

TICKETS
Regular ticket – BGN 100
For students and pupils – BGN 80
The class is held in English.
** Request your ticket at hello@studiokomplekt.com with the title. The number of places in this class is limited, so hurry to reserve yours. We look forward to seeing you.

ORGANIZERS
Studio Komplekt | The project is supported by the National Culture Fund under the One Year Grant Programme.
Partners: Hungarian Cultural Institute Sofia

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Réka Szentesi is a Senior Project Manager at the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency, where she is responsible for the Talents Mentoring Programme, where young designers receive training on various topics to support them in building their careers. She is a sustainability expert and also works with the sales team.

Kinga Csengő is a project manager at the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency, where she is responsible for supporting the sales activities of Hungarian brands at local and international level. She is also head of the manufacturer mentor programme, where Hungarian manufacturers receive support on business development issues.

The Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency

The Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency was established to provide structured and efficient professional assistance to all industry players. There is a huge economic and tourism potential in the fashion and design industry. The Hungarian Government intends to develop these areas. The aim is to raise the profile of the garment and textile industries and the various branches of the light industry related to fashion and design, so that their reputation matches their traditions and Hungary becomes the centre of this region. In the course of its work, the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency cooperates with Hungarian and international professional organisations, educational institutions, members of the public and the private sector to mutually establish the most important pillars of its strategy.

MELBA DESIGN INITIATIVES is launched in 2022. MELBA SCHOOL – a series of educational classes that aim to foster professional development and creative thinking. The classes are led by established designers and visual artists whose work contributes not only to the development of their discipline, but also to society as a whole.