The CIFF KIDS panel discussion is back after popular demand. For this edition we will cover topics such as in-store experience, retailers and charity, how to reach customers in the digital age and much more. This is one of several must-attend events when visiting CIFF kids next week.
The above photo shows our previous panel discussion, that took place last August at CIFF kids. By popular demand the panel discussion has been brought back as one of several events at CIFF kids for AW18/19.
And I’m really excited to announce, together with the team at CIFF KIDS, this coming seasons panel. For the second edition we have invited four really interesting panelists, all with different backgrounds from all parts of the world. Between them they share a wealth of experience in children’s fashion and lifestyle sector.
They are buyers and shop owners from worldwide; Nicola Eyre from Cissy Wears in the United Kingdom, Janine Colonna from Babyshop in Sweden, Wael AlFatayri from Level Kids United Arab Emirates and Kim Wardell from Design Life Kids in the United States.
The panel
Nicola Eyre
Founder of Cissy Wears – London, UK
Cissy Wears was founded in 2012 by mother-of-four, Nicola. She describes herself as a “Mother, CEO, Stylist, Creative Director, Entrepreneur, Curator and Taylor Swift impersonator’ – in that order. Nicola worked in the music industry for a decade before deciding to change career paths after the birth of her second child, Cissy.
Initially Cissy Wears was a blog about what Nicola’s daughter was wearing. Nicola soon discovered that kids wear was a bit rock’n roll too and applied for a job at a large online children’s retailer. But when she missed out she decided to go for it herself.
Cissy Wears is today a highly successful London based kids concept store. Nicola isn’t only running the company but is also regarded as an influencer herself. With nearly 60.000 followers on Instagram she truly is a mum entrepenuer who rocks!
Janine Colonna
Purchase Manager, Babyshop – Stockholm, Sweden
It was clear from the beginning that the young New Yorker would have a career in fashion; dressing up as a little girl in her grandmothers old minks and pearls and putting on fashion shows. Janine went on to study buying & merchandising before pursuing a career in merchandising and inventory management at Saks Fifth Avenue and at Macy’s.
Janine ventured into childrenswear as the Purchase Manager for the Babyshop Group in 2014 after moving to Stockholm with her Swedish husband. Her success in childrenswear is down to controlling inventory, maintaining strong supplier relationships and always have an open eye for the next trend. Janine loves her job as it’s creative, fun, fast paced and it’s an incredibly exciting industry to be in.
When Janine isn’t chasing the next big trend she’s interior decorating her home with her husband and 6 month old daughter, Julia.
Wael AlFatayri
Senior buyer, Level Kids – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wael started his career in fashion with Armani Group in Dubai followed by being a buyer for mono-brand stores including Ermanno Scervino, Porsche Design and MSGM.
Wael joined Dubai’s leading luxury retailer, Chalhoub Group, in 2016 as a senior buyer for Level Kids. Waels speciality is networking and he has managed to secure several exclusives for the store through his strong relationships with brands. Wael enjoys childrenswear because it’s both creative, challenging and fun.
In addition to his career in luxury fashion, Wael as a student founded a magazine. Recently he has appeared on both radio and tv and this year he released his first podcast, titled ‘Wael’s World’.
Kim Wardell
CEO/Founder, DLK (Design Life Kids) – Pennsylvania, United States
DLK, Design Life Kids originally began as a lifestyle blog, however after the tragic loss of her husband, Kim decided to follow her dream of turning DLK into a destination for modern finds for the modern home. Today DLK offers a carefully curated collection of fashion and home decor from around the world, from small boutique designers to internationally adored brands.
Kim especially loves the children’s sector as it is filled with such brightness and whimsical fun design. She loves combining the playfulness with a more contemporary and mature style, for a modern family lifestyle.
When Kim is not busy running DLK she enjoys spending time with her two daughters. Her favourite quote to live by is ‘Find the beauty in every day’.
The Panel Discussion, time and place
The panel will give us a global perspective on the issues concerning the industry. We hope you will attend and find it useful and inspiring.
When? Thursday 1st of February at 5pm.
Where? CIFF KIDS, Forum Room, Forum Copenhagen, Denmark.
There are limited seats available so first come, first served.
CIFF KIDS Events program AW18/19
Wednesday 31 January 2018
13:00 – Your guide to Autumn / Winter 18/19 | by Rikke Skytte from pej gruppen
in English | Balcony | Speakers’ Corner Balcony
Power to the people. Design is always a mirror of the spirit and values of a given time and our dreams that we have about leading a good life. The concept of freedom is at the very heart in the next autumn/winter 18/19 season. This is communicated through four trend themes: Freedom to be neutral. Freedom to be curious. Freedom to think global. And lastly, Freedom to speak up.
Thursday 1 February 2018
13:00 – Your guide to Autumn / Winter 18/19
by Rikke Skytte from pej gruppen | in English | Balcony | Speakers’ Corner Balcony
17:00 – CIFF KIDS Panel discussion
moderated by Bianca Wessel from Little Scandinavian | in English | Forum Room
With a global panel our discussion will address topics and issues concerning today’s kids fashion and lifestyle industry and therefor are especially relevant for all exhibitors and visitors of CIFF KIDS. How would we like the in-store experience to be? How about charity collaborations for retailers? And furthermore, how to reach the consumer in a digital age?
Friday 2 February 2018
13:00 – Your guide to Autumn / Winter 18/19
by Rikke Skytte from pej gruppen | in English | Balcony | Speakers’ Corner Balcony
Collaborations & creative projects
CIFF KIDS x Kid’s Wear Magazine
Kid’s Wear Magazine will select favorite items, both from the fashion and lifestyle & interior segments, and mark them with a “Kid’s Wear Favourite” hangtag. Use and search for the hashtag #kidswearfavourite to discover their most loved items.
PLEASE TOUCH by Kristine Mandsberg
In the exhibition PLEASE TOUCH, textile designer Kristine Mandsberg works with an experimental approach to the exhibited works and the exhibition itself.
Please touch by Kristine Mandsberg. © Photo Daniel Schriver.
CIFF KIDS is North Europes most important kids trade show, running in conjunction with Copenhagen Fashion Week. CIFF KIDS will be showing collections for AW18 from 31st January 2018 to 2nd of February 2018, in Forum Copenhagen.
Find out more by visiting ciff.dk