The 9th Annual Michigan Fashion Media Summit was recently hosted at the prestigious Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor, and I had the opportunity to attend for the fifth time. I first attended MFMS as a senior in high school, and I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone because it introduced me to some of the most incredible people in the industry. In this article, I’ll be breaking down each panel, every event from the long (and highly anticipated) MFMS weekend, key activations, my takeaways and some tips for your next professional networking event.
I purchased VIP tickets the moment they were released a few months ago for $50. This gave me the highest level of access, allowing me to attend the Thursday Night Launch Party, the Summit on Friday, coffee chats and some of the best brand activations.
The summit was in collaboration with Steve Madden and featured top talent across industries, including former CEOs of Calvin Klein, real estate developers, social media influencers and more. It provided an opportunity to connect with business founders, leaders, celebrity stylists, creative directors, designers, investors and CEOs, representing companies such as Google, Hudson Jeans, GQ Magazine, Calvin Klein, Dagne Dover, OOTD, EB Denim, Frankies Bikinis, Danielle Guizio and more.
The Thursday Night Launch Party was exclusive to VIP ticket holders and sponsored by Steve Madden and 818 Tequila. Some of my favorite activations included a Camair pop-up, where Camille, founder of Camair, hand-airbrushed MFMS T-shirts. There was also the Steve Madden x MFMS DIY Charm Bar, where attendees could create custom charms for bags or shoes. The MFMS raffle featured items from brands like Parke, Still Here New York, Jennifer Fisher, Steve Madden, SoulCycle, Drybar, Dagne Dover and more. We also received incredible items in our Steve Madden gift bags during the event.
Starting with the first panel of the day: Steve Shiffman, Strategic Advisor, Coach and former CEO of Calvin Klein, moderated by Ken Pilot, Founder of Ken Pilot Ventures. Steve discussed stepping into the CEO role at Calvin Klein during the launch of the Justin Bieber “#InMyCalvins” campaign, which revitalized the brand’s energy and cultural relevance. He emphasized his willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo in such a high-level position. When discussing recruiting, he shared that he looks for a spark or genuine passion in candidates. He posed questions like, “What makes you stand out?” and “What is your experience with the brand?”—great prompts to keep in mind for future interviews.
The next panel featured Kenneth Himmel and Webber Hudson, Executive Vice President and President of Related Ross, a real estate development firm founded by Stephen M. Ross. They spoke about working on major developments such as Hudson Yards and Columbus Circle in New York City. One of the most impactful parts of this panel was their advice to students: travel as much as possible, develop an eye for quality, find a mentor, take a wine course and invest in experiences that place you in high-caliber environments.
Another standout panel included Madison Wooley, Sasha Mutchnik, Haley Polkes, Nic Byrom, and was moderated by Marcus Collins. Madison Wooley is a prominent influencer in the bridal industry and the founder of multiple brands. Sasha Mutchnik is the Senior Director of Social at GQ Magazine. Haley Polkes serves as the Director of Brand and PR at The Center, and Nic Byrom is the Creative Director at OOTD. Their advice centered on trusting yourself, taking calculated risks and getting your foot in the door to prove your value. They emphasized that success is not just about who you know, but how you build meaningful connections. They also encouraged embracing discomfort, as growth comes from continuous change and evolution.
The final panel I want to highlight featured Francesca Aiello, Danielle Guizio, Elena Bonvicini and Jessica Williams—founders and designers behind some of today’s most sought-after brands: Frankies Bikinis, Guizio, EB Denim and Shopify. It was fascinating to hear how their brands began. Francesca started Frankies Bikinis at just 17 years old, while Danielle launched her brand with a $400 tax return from her parents’ basement. They also addressed the reality of their designs being copied, noting that while imitation is inevitable, it can never replicate the authenticity and identity of the original brand. Danielle pointed out that today’s consumer is more informed and intentional—researching brands, investing in quality pieces and understanding the importance of fabrication and fit.
Francesca, who has over two million followers on Instagram, discussed how being a forward-facing founder has helped differentiate her brand. She credits her success to creating an immersive brand experience that draws customers into her world. Elena, founder and designer of EB Denim, shared that she spends significant time interacting with customers in-store and is planning to expand with additional retail locations in New York City this year.
For your next professional networking event, here are a few tips: dress professionally, bring your resume and follow up afterward with coffee chats. Be yourself—confident, outgoing and personable. Stay connected, do your research before attending, and come prepared with thoughtful conversation starters. Keep an open mind to new opportunities, and most importantly, believe in yourself. You’ve got this!