 |
| MICHELLE CARLONE HUMBER ALUMNI GUEST SPEAKER |
“You have to make money in the end, but you have
to understand what you do … you have to love, to have a passion … if
you’re going to go every morning just thinking about making money I don’t know
what can make you happy. To me what make me happy is to do something amazing.”
Jerome Dahan, Founder and Designer Citizens of Humanity
Michelle Carlone graduated
from Humber’s Fashion Business program in 2005. Jerome Dahan created the
Citizens of Humanity brand two years earlier: a pioneer in the upscale denim
market. Ten years later their paths in the pursuit of what they are passionate
about have crossed. Michelle is the vivacious and successful Canadian Brand
Manager for the company. And both are doing something amazing.
Michelle was able to dedicate
her time to coming into Julie Savile’s Trend Analysis and Product Development
course at Humber to speak with second semester Fashion Arts students on her work experience and
prepared a product knowledge session for the lecture that mirrored how she
presents to her accounts for the brand.
Citizens of Humanity is
currently ranked in the upper 1500 of top tiered retailers. The jeans are made
in California from imported fabrics, predominantly Japanese and Italian denim. Jerome
Dahan has worked with Adriano Golschmied on the brand since 2007, known
in the industry as the “godfather of denim” and the “wash mastermind” for his
innovative fabrications and elevating Citizens to their unique level of
fashionability. More then half of the product line consists of basic styles
inspired by the youth spirit of the 60’s and 70’s, vintage and authentic
workwear and a feeling of the culture of Paris and California. When they do a
trend, they do it well- experimenting with techniques focusing on quality, fit
and authenticity in their vertically integrated sewing facilities and wash houses. The C of H girl is
a little bit Bridget Bardot and a little bit Jane Birkin: sophistocated, laid back and
comfortable in her own skin.
Michelle fully embodies
the brand that she represents. The Humber alumni member says “fashion is in her
blood, it’s where she comes from” and that “denim has always been her true
passion.” For the duration of her student life she worked for Holt Renfrew in the
cosmetics department, aspiring to become a buyer. In her career as a sales rep, including a
position with A&F Apparel (Canada’s largest denim distributor), she has
contributed to the development and pioneering Los Angelos and New York
based premium brands such as People’s Liberation, DL1961, and Robin’s Jeans. In
her role as Canadian Brand Manager for Citizen’s of Humanity she acts as a
liason between the designers and Canadian retailers including accounts with Aritzia,
Over The Rainbow, Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew. As the account executive she
markets and manages the brand at the wholesale level, planning and developing
strategic sales approaches to work on maximizing geographic reach. She coordinates
denim delivery and stock replenishment programs, observes market trends and new
customer opportunities, shows collections to buyers each season and conducts
product knowledge sessions and events at retail locations.
Michelle contributes her achievements
to a strong sense of tenacity and persistence, being genuine and establishing
credibility from being on top of what you know. She discusses keeping your
reputation and connecting with who you know, while putting effort forward “hitting
the pavement” and going out there. Her personable nature, confidence and wholeheartedness is inspirational. She is doing what she loves with denim worthy dedication.
No comments:
Post a Comment