Kick-off Pitchmeeting & Fashion Fasterclass

10:00 - Westergasfabriek - Machinegebouw

An unusual combination perhaps at first sight: a bank and the Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW). But things are seldom what they seem. Talented, creative, often young entrepreneurs are known to excel in the fashion business, and banks take care of the financial side of things. And that's exactly where their paths meet. As the main sponsor of the AIFW, the bank is now gaining an even firmer foothold in the fashion industry.

Designers who have just set up their own company or label need support and assistance when they enter the world of business. In response to this need, the AIFW and Fortis Bank Nederland, together with several other partners, Ernst & Young, Amsterdamse Innovatie Motor, Allen & Overy, Modint, Syntens and the Amsterdam Chamber of commerce have developed a programme for a select group of promising designers. This Fashion Fasterclass, which started in the summer of 2009, was open to a select group of up-and-coming designers. The participants were enthusiastic.

Mattijs van Bergen, Participant: "I think the Fasterclass is a great initiative because it addresses the problems many designers come across when they launch a business. If you are a creative, being able to think as an entrepreneur or finding someone who will do that for you is the key to success. During the Fasterclass, experts from various parts of the fashion business taught us the basics of running a label. Unfortunately, there was no time to discuss the various subjects in depth, but I've certainly learned that the fashion industry is run by a whole host of people and that you need to work together to get there".