Saturday July 30, 2011
Our second Fashion Art Mixer Discussion and Potluck picked up on the excitement of our previous brainstorming session. A mixture of fresh and friendly faces from different facets of the art, fashion, entertainment and technology worlds came together to conceptualize a fashion art mixer centered on fashion illustration.
There was lots of food and fun at the potluck, especially with the return of last’s discussion’s hits: the mini subs from Syd’s Serious Sandwich Shop and Kinya’s Carmelita bars. Our new friend, bridal wear designer, Angelica, was gracious enough to bring us homemade apple pie, and we filled up on cannolis, cookies, cupcakes and wine!
There was some Jenga playing, some music playing, and our favorite puppy, Mr. Augustus, playing too. The group even stumbled into a Paul Frank event on our way to hang out at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Good times!
For this discussion, the team came up with a really cool and fun way to put our ideas on the drawing board, literally. Our gracious hosts at Damn Digital Studios helped us go green by providing us with dry erase boards to write down our ideas. We split up into two breakout groups to discuss our ideal fashion art event. Then we came back together to talk over the different ideas and figure out just how we can make our ideas a reality.
The first group took an interesting approach to the concept of a fashion art mixer. It would be a three part themed event starting around 6 pm with a 45 minute demo by three fashion illustrators, then “fashion karaoke” to liven it up, and an art battle towards the end of the night.
Designer/Illustrator Adina suggested that there be two stylists paired with the two fashion illustrators in the battle who would pick from a rack of clothing provided by a sponsor to dress the model drawn by the illustrators. In this way, we could incorporate sponsors in the program, like designers or clothing stores, but also makeup and beauty lines. There would be a wildcard slot for illustrators interested in participating the day of the event with registration taking place in advance. 
Sarah, designer, illustrator and longtime WYRT supporter, suggested tying in drink sponsors with cocktails named for people or things associated with fashion illustration. As for venue and audience, group one thought it would be great to collaborate with a lounge like ReBar in DUMBO to participate in the gallery walk on first Thursdays and attract art and fashion enthusiasts.
Group two saw the fashion art mixer as an opportunity to capitalize on the excitement of Fashion Week by targeting those invested in the industry. 
It would be promoted as an almost exclusive networking event not to be missed with tickets being sold mostly in advance for $15-$30, $15 being for students, and a much higher ticket for VIPS who would receive special benefits such as autographed work or specially commissioned designs. Industry leaders are a target group to market as special guests. Three fashion illustrators would be drawing live simultaneously with the recording being projected on screen as well as broadcast online for a fee. There would be other activities as well: live music, a photo booth, raffle, and red carpet interviews are some examples. 
Chris, who works in public relations, had the awesome idea to approach tech or camera companies as sponsors and allow them to handle the broadcasts. Other art and fashion based magazines or websites like DeviantArt, as suggested by comic book artist, Reilly, would also be a great tie-in.
We came up with a lot of great ideas at this discussion, and we’d like to thank everyone who gave us some insight at both of our brainstorming sessions. The Fashion Art Mixer is really coming together! The next step is to follow up with everyone on their suggestions. We got some contacts on the board, but will need to start reaching out later. If you know any hosts, models, photographers, musicians, venues, sponsors, or media and industry people who may want to get involved let us know! Keep an eye out for the flyer mock-up and we look forward to hanging out with you all again soon!
To see pics and videos from Discussion and Potluck #2, click here. For a recap of our last discussion, click here.
To contact a member of the WYRT Team, send us an email at info@wouldyourockthis.com or find us on Facebook, Meetup, or Twitter.
