A SAMMA (South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment Association) Panel Event:
Mumbai to New York City: Can India Walk the Global Runway?
In collaboration with IAAC (Indo-American Arts Council) on the evening before IAAC’s “Global Runway’s Night Out” on April 15th, 2010 at the Paramount Hotel

What: “Mumbai to NYC: Can India Walk the Global Runway?”: A Conversation with Industry Visionary Fern Mallis, SVP IMG Fashion

When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Panel event followed by Networking (Drinks/Food Available)

Where: At Vermillion, 480 Lexington Ave. (at 46th Street), New York City

RSVP/Price: Attendance Strictly by RSVP Only. Open to SAMMA and IAAC Members only. No charge. Very Limited seats available. RSVP to samma.info@gmail.com with name, title, company and contact info.

Indian fashion and Indian-born designers have come a long way, from Naeem Khan and Manish Malhotra to Ritu Kumar. More Indian- and South Asian-born designers and professionals are breaking into the fashion industry here in the U.S. and around the world. While top fashion books and runways from Bryant Park to Paris have sported decidedly “Indian” looks in recent seasons, we ask if Indian fashion and Indian designers are here to stay… or, if it just a fleeting love affair? What will it take for Indian designer brands and fashion to penetrate the global mainstream, and racks of a Bergdorf or Saks for more than one season? What does it take to be successful in the fashion industry – as a designer or a professional.

Come meet and hear from Fern Mallis, SVP of IMG Fashion, the widely recognized originator of the New York Fashion Week, long time advocate of India’s Fashion Week, Indian designers and the Indian fashion industry, and former Executive Director of CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America). An instrumental player at India’s Lakme’s Fashion Week each year for over the past 8 years – and having just returned from India’s 2010 Lakme Fashion Week – hear Fern’s point-of-view on the future of Indian and South Asian-fashion; opportunities, challenges and advice for South Asian and Indian designers; industry trends; and an assessment of whether India can walk the Global Runway.

Moderated by Hitha Prabhakar, CNBC Fashion Contributor, leading retail industry expert, and former style writer for Forbes magazine and Forbes.com. Hitha has written for Time magazine, People magazine, People.com, and ELLE India. Hitha has lent her fashion and retail industry expertise to some of the top media outlets in the US and abroad, including NPR, FOX News, CNN, and Bravo.

Come join us for the next SAMMA event. In collaboration with IAAC. PR Partner: PeepulPR.

About SAMMA

SAMMA – or the South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment Association - is the first and largest organization of its kind to bring together the growing number of South Asian executives, managers and entrepreneurs in the US media, marketing and entertainment industries, including the rising demand for South Asian media. SAMMA members span tv and film, marketing and advertising, new media/mobile, multi-cultural marketing, fashion and sports entertainment, pr/promotions, and related industries. Our mission is simple –to drive the continued success of South Asians in the US and Indian media, marketing and entertainment industries through awareness building, networking, promotion and education. Founded in 2006 in NYC, SAMMA has grown to well over 1500+ South Asian professionals and industry influencers. SAMMA’s marquee annual event is the SAMMA Summit. For more information, visit (www.sammasummit.com).