Third Wave Fashion

Tech Crush Thursday: Kelly Hoey

We love strong-minded women—especially ones in tech—and that’s why we’re crushing on Kelly Hoey, co-founder and Managing Director of Women Innovate Mobile (WIM).

Hailing from Canada, Kelly is known for her strong ability to connect people at the right place at the right time, a type of serial networker. Originally in corporate law for 11 years, Kelly made the switchover wanting to become an entrepreneur.

In December of 2011 she co-founded WIM, the first ever startup accelerator specifically for mobile technology companies with female founders. The startups in WIM receive support, mentoring, office space, and $18k in seed funding, in return for 6% equity. The founders of WIM started the accelerator because they wanted to see more women in leadership roles within companies and startups - and we couldn’t agree more!

Kelly is on the advisory board of two of our favorite companies, Lion’esque Style and The Levo League. She’s also a Pipeline Angel and has been a mentor for Women in Wireless. We really appreciate how much Kelly has done for women working in tech.

Follow her on Twitter!

Tech Crush Thursday: Caryn Marooney

Our latest tech crush is Caryn Marooney, Facebook’s Director of Technology Communications.

She is in charge of reaching out to the technical community—engaging developers, engineers, technology influencers, and bloggers. She also covers the platform, product, and any technology recruiting.

Caryn only joined Facebook in 2011, prior to which she was a co-founder of OutCast Agency, one of Silicon Valley’s top tech communications firms. During her time at OutCast Agency, she handled the communication strategies of companies such as Amazon and Netflix; Facebook was even one of her clients before she made the switch. Facebook actually created the position of Technology Communications for Caryn in the hope of building its PR.

Watch this video of Caryn Marooney talking about Leveraging Facebook at the PRSA Digital Impact Conference.

Watch-Out Wednesday: BonLook

Montreal-based BonLook was founded by Sophie Boulanger and Mélanie Daigle, in an effort to bring the style and quality of European eyewear to North America. They were inspired by traveling the world, living abroad, and constantly learning about new cultures. BonLook believes that everyone has the right to sight. They work directly with high-end manufacturers to deliver stylish and edgy lenses at a fair price.

In an article in Fashionably Marketing Me, co-founder Sophie spoke about how the idea started: “When my partner realized that this industry was untouched by the internet, we decided to go into it. When you look at glasses, it’s an essential need and very personal, and it’s so expensive. We decided, let’s sell a good product at a decent price so that people can afford more than one pair. We’re going to be a new player and people can rely on us to offer high quality, stylish eyewear.”

BonLook doesn’t just want to help their customers get trendy glasses at an awesome price—they also give a percentage of all sales to a nonprofit that addresses vision-care needs of low-income children.

You can shop glasses and sunglasses by color or shape; and when you find something you like? Virtually try them on before your purchase!

We’re also obsessed with the catchy names such as “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Drink The Kool-Aid.” With prescription and non-prescription lenses, you’re sure to find a pair (or two!) just for you.

Check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Tech Crush Thursday: Angela Ahrendts

Our latest tech crush is Angela Ahrendts, digital innovator and CEO of luxury brand Burberry.

In 2006, giving up her title as Executive Vice President at Liz Claiborne Inc., Angela became CEO of Burberry. While she does not have an educational background in technology, Angela saw that to help the British brand grow and reach the younger generation, she would need to implement a digital initiative. Angela had a vision she wanted to see come true: anyone who wanted to touch the company could have access to it. Since she arrived in 2006, she started reinventing the Burberry image, making it more appealing to a younger and more global consumer. This makeover proved to be a good move with sales having more than doubled.

Angela has been working closely with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to form a technology strategy using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets, as well as software from Salesforce and SAP. Employees are encouraged to use social media throughout the day.

Despite the past aura of exclusivity at Burberry, Angela saw that the way to grow the company was to take them into the future digitally. Burberry is considered one of the top technology-forward companies in the luxury fashion industry. They have high rankings in Facebook and Twitter followers, as well as an impressive and easy to navigate website and great video campaign ads. It all makes sense, as half of their media budget goes to digital.

Watch this interview with Angela to learn more about the Burberry digital initiative and check out some of their films.

And of course, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Watch-Out Wednesday: JetWorthy 

Looking to spice up your jewelry box without breaking the bank?

Check out JetWorthy, a flat-rate borrowing service for designer jewelry. Think Netflix for the trendiest jewelry.

How does it work? JetWorthy has three plans you can sign up for: Jet, Jet Set, and Jet Noir. The more you pay for the plan, the more expensive the jewelry you have access to borrow. Users select items, creating a list of pieces they want to borrow. JetWorthy will send you your chosen piece of jewelry (always making sure they are sanitized in between uses). Once you are finished wearing the item, mail it back in the provided pre-paid packaging, and JetWorthy will mail you the next item on your list.

Think of it like borrowing jewelry from your uber-stylish BFF. Some of the brands JetWorthy carries include Lulu Frost, Kenneth Jay Lane, Rodrigo Otazu, and MAWI.

JetWorthy is a great way to always have the lastest in jewelry trends without making a huge investment.

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Team Tuesdays… on Tumblr.

Today, we are excitedly getting ready for our incredible meetup that’s going down tonight.

The topic is Digital Branding, and the panel is kickass:

Nizzi Karai Renaud, VP of Marketing & Commerce at Refinery29

Tracy Keim, VP of Integrated Marketing at Bonobos

Erica Cerulo, Co-Founder at Of A Kind

We are sold out (darn you, capacity!) but we are thrilled that the 70 guests who were able to secure spots are attending.

See you all tonight!

XO,

TWF

Tech Crush Thursday: Chloe Sladden 

Chloe Sladden is Twitter’s Director of Media Partnership.

She’s the one responsible for combining Twitter conversations and real-time events. To put her job into her own words, “I work at the intersection of media & technology, with a special focus on interactive & social TV.”

She uses the power of #hashtags and @mentions to create what she refers to as a “360-degree experience” for everyone. Chloe is happy to know that she has helped connect people with inside information, closeness to celebrities, and real-time news in a way that was not fathomable pre-Twitter.

One of her first experiences curating tweets was during the 2008 Presidential debates. On top of tweeting breaking news, Chloe has worked on the entertainment side. In 2010, she helped MTV bring in over 11 million viewers for their MTV Video Music Awards.

She’s had prior experience in this area—before Twitter, Chloe worked at Current TV, a TV network and online news site, where she produced “Hack the Debate.” Chloe is also on the board of Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit focused on innovations that combine art, design, data, and technology.

We think Chloe is #awesome and of course check her out on Twitter!

*Chloe Sladden is pictured above with another Twitter Executive, Katie Jacobs Stanton, in the new New York headquarters.

Want to learn about digital branding, and how to reach your consumer? 

Check out our next meetup event on July 17th at the Fashion Center! 

You’ll get to hear speakers from Refinery29, Bonobos, & Of A Kind.

As always, snacks and drinks will be provided. :) 

We hope to see you there!!

XO,
TWF