GFM alumna Fatima Vali (class of 2020) recently launched @soulitudeny, creating masks made with fabric sourced from @thenewdenimproject and manufactured in Guatemala. For her capstone project Fatima wrote a marketing plan for The New Denim Project with classmate Camille Ewing, highlighting the company's circular materials and ethical manufacturing aligning with consumer demands. . Soulitude is focused on sustainability- both in product and personally. As this has been a difficult year for much of the world, Fatima designs her product to remind us of the importance of self-care and self-reflection. Follow @soulitudeny to learn more about the sustainable materials used and their reminder to embrace self-care. . #GFM #GFMalum #fashionbusiness #FITalumni #sustainablefashion #circularity #facemask #selfcare #entrepreneur @fitalumni @fitnyc 
Our application portal for the Fall of 2021 is now open! Visit the link in bio for more information and the link to apply. Please feel free to reach out if we can answer any questions, or attend an admissions information session- our next one is on Thursday, November 19th at 6PM. 
Join us next Wednesday for an online admissions information session to learn more about the GFM program and requirements for admission applications. Register on our website (link in bio) to receive access to the virtual event. Can't make it next week? Check out Graduate Studies Admissions for more dates through February. 
GFM Alumna Nimet Degirmencioglu, class of 2009, recently completed a Ph.D. at North Carolina State University in Textile Technologies Management. The purpose of Dr. Degirmencioglu's dissertation research is to explore the motivations for engaging in fair trade practices in the U.S. textiles and apparel industry, providing a comprehensive overview of motivations and digital connectivity among active fair trade companies. Congratulations, Dr. @nimetnc! 
President of Farylrobin and #GFM professor Jim Biolos, who teaches our Production Management and Supply Chain course, was featured in @sourcingjournal's "Up Close" series, sharing insights on the footwear industry’s top priorities and innovating the supply chain. Read the full Q&A on Sourcing Journal's website. 
Over the last few weeks we invited alumni and current students to join us for a "summer series" of virtual panel discussions featuring faculty and alumni, one focusing on design and product development, the other focused on supply chain and production. Our knowledgeable alumni and faculty touched on general trends in the industry as well as issues relating to the current challenges due to COVID-19. . In answering a question about branding, alumna Caroline Dodson reminded us of a common experience we all had in March and April, saying "Brands and brand building will remain important on the other side of the pandemic as consumers will continue to place their confidence there. If you remember trips to the stores in the early phases of lockdown, only the 'non brands' were left on the shelves." . Supply Chain and Production Professor, and President of Faryl Robin, Jim Biolos encouraged those watching who are looking to start a new business. He said "With the demise of the major retailers, the time has never been better for entrepreneurs and our industry has always thrived on fresh ideas. Where in the past, you needed considerable resources, now you can contract and source without a major investment. Look to where the consumer is underserved." . Alumnus Matteo Dalla Rovere had great advice for our audience, emphasizing the need to "understand the financials of companies that you're interested in working for and be sure you know how to read financial statements." He acknowledged the importance of GFM's finance class as a cornerstone of the curriculum and how he's used this knowledge throughout his career. . We are grateful to all our speakers and especially our moderator for both events, Retail Professor Richard Jaffe. . If you were able to join us for these discussions, what were your top takeaways?