Third Wave Fashion

Tech Crush Thursday: Kevin Systrom

With over 100 million users (as announced Tuesday), Instagram has grown from two young guys renting desks, to a record breaking acquisition with Facebook. Although Instagram was launched a little over two years ago, we can’t help but be impressed by the company’s growth and success (not to mention we are more than slightly addicted to the app). 

Welcome, Kevin Systrom, CEO and Co-founder of Instagram, to the TWF Tech Crush Thursday hall of fame! After graduating from Stanford University, Kevin got his first taste of the startup tech world as an intern at Odeo, which later became Twitter. He also worked at Google where he worked on a number of product as well as their corporate development.

In 2012, Systrom and his Co-founder, Mike Krieger, sold the company to Facebook for an announced $1Billion. Although the sale went through, Kevin made sure that Instagram would continue to operate outside of Facebook. He also retained quite a bit of control over the photo-sharing company, allowing him to continue to make important decisions. For example, Kevin decided to remove Instagram photos from Twitter’s news feed, not at the request of Facebook, but to bring users to Instagram’s new website.

Yes, there have been some controversies surrounding the app and recent changes, but with 100 million users in just 28 months, it looks like the man behind Instagram knows what he’s doing.

Wish List Wednesday: iam+

We love our iPhones. In fact, we don’t go anywhere without them. Why? Because taking pictures, sharing them, and then texting our best friends about it is what we do to fill time in between meetings — we love those sacred moments. Thankfully, Will.I.Am and his people have taken this pastime a step further.

Announced in 2012, this Black Eyed Peas star launched the i.am+ foto.sosho iPhone accessories line. These gadgets are a stylish alternative for a wide-angle lens attachment on your camera. There are 3 models of these point-and-shoot beauties and start at about $215 (actual pricing is in Euro). They also come with interchangeable lenses and built-in features for styling sure to take Instagramming to the next level!

Check out this video we got from endgaget about the iam+ line.

Mark It Down Monday: Monday May 14

Welcome to Mark It Down Monday, a great way to cure your Monday morning blues! This is the first of a weekly blog post letting you know of the major events going on in the fashion tech world. As you sip on your lattes, mark up the calendars on your iPhones, iPads, laptops—or if you’re old-fashioned, the paper one on your wall—with these exciting and groundbreaking gatherings. The events range from conferences, meet-ups, panels, and forums on marketing, technology, innovation, and of course, fashion. Make Mark It Down Monday part of your weekly routine so you can be the first of your friends to know the ins and outs of fashion-tech current events. After all, it’s important to stay on top of what’s going down!

1. Who: Third Wave Fashion

What: A Panel of Founders Discuss: “How Fashion Tech Startups Get Funded”

Where: Wix Lounge, 10 West 18^th St., 2^nd Floor, NYC

When: Monday May 14 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

How: Register! http://www.meetup.com/ThirdWaveFashion/events/59905522/

2.Who: #WDESIGN

What: A W Times Square Exhibit with Instagram NYC

Where: Times Square, 1567 Broadway, NYC

When: May 14 – May 21

How: No registration required!

3. Who: OMMA Social

What: One-day conference addressing social marketing challenges and brand successes

Where: 82 Mercer, Internet Week Theater, 82 Mercer St., NYC

When: Tuesday May 15 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

How: Register! http://www.mediapost.com/ommasocial/

4. Who: Fashion 2.0: All Stars

What: “All Stars” from the 2012 Fashion 2.0 Awards

Where: Maxwell Hall, LIM College, 216 East 45^th St., NYC

When: Tuesday May 15 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

How: Register! http://www.meetup.com/fashion20/events/61128292/

5. Who: Recreating Retail

What: How retailers and brands are recreating their in-store experience online

Where: 82 Mercer, HQ IWNY Stage, 82 Mercer St., NYC

When: Wednesday May 16 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM

How: Pass required https://www.internetweekny.com/orders

6. Who: The Hatchery

What: Start-up information: covering marketing, finance, technology, business, presentation, and more

Where: Hatchery 500, 500 7^th Ave., 17^th Floor, NYC

When: Wednesday May 16 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

How: Register! http://ays0512.eventbrite.com

7. Who: Studio Akko founder Ron Goldin hosts Design and the Mobile Startup: NYC Edition

What: Panelists from startups Foursquare, Etsy, and GroupMe share insights

Where: 82 Mercer, HQ Partner Stage, 82 Mercer St., NYC

When: Wednesday May 16 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM

How: Pass required http://www.internetweekny.com/orders

8. Who: Fast Track User Acquisition

What: Course will cover marketing for startups

Where: Betterment Offices, 247 Centre St., Suit 5, NYC

When: Wednesday May 16 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

How: Register! http://marketingyourstartup.eventbrite.com/

9. Who: Seamless, Etsy, & Lot 18

What: Panel discussion about how each company has transitioned their off-line industries to online

Where: Seamless Headquarters, 1065 Avenue of the Americas, 15^th floor, NYC

When: Thursday May 17 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

How: No registration required

10. Who: Walkabout NYC

What: A city-wide open house event for technology startups

Where: Walkabout NYC HQ/Harvest HQ, 187 Lafayette St., 6^th floor, NYC

When: Friday May 18 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

How: Register! http://walkaboutnyc.com/

11. Who: Occupy Fashion

What: Learn the process of researching and sourcing, concept development and design, production, marketing, and sales

Where: 191-00 Parkside Ave., Brooklyn, NYC

When: Saturday May 19 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

How: Register! http://bonniesandy.com/occupyfashion

Exciting California events in the future to register for now!

1. Who: Gilt Groupe co-founders Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson:

What: “By Invitation Only:” Gilt Groupe Book Event

Where: W Los Angeles – Westwood

When: May 23, 2012 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

How: Register in the next 2 days!

http://www.giltcity.com/los-angeles/aandabooklaunchla

2. Who: Skimlinks and SFFT

What: Monetize Your Fashion Content Workshop

Where: Skimlinks Headquarters, San Francisco, CA

When: May 23, 2012 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

How: Register! http://sfftandskimlinks.eventbrite.com/?discount=SFFTWB

That’s it for now.

Check back next Monday for another week of events.

Be in the know, be on the go, and stay fashionable!