Most guys interested in fashion know that fashion week happens twice a year (spring/summer and fall/winter). Store buyers (and the press) attend the shows to see what the designers are offering up for the following season and then the buyers place orders. But what most consumers don’t know about are the plethora of trade shows around the world where buyers can find even more brands to consider.
While big brands like Ralph, Calvin and Tommy spend loads of cash on shows during fashion week, the trade shows are more low key, can be more fun and relaxed and can be the better place to find the newest and most exciting brands that don’t have the cash (or the desire) for a flashy fashion show.
Tommy Fazio is the President and Creative Director of PROJECT, a trade show that can be found in New York and Vegas. Under the same umbrella are The TENTS, MEN’s, and POOLTRADESHOW. Needless to say he is a busy man.
Prior to joining PROJECT, Mr. Fazio served as Men’s Fashion and Trend Director for Nordstrom, where he led the overall style direction for the company’s men’s department across all retail doors. He earlier served as President of Simon Spurr and Men’s Fashion Director for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus where he successfully rebranded the men’s department in each of those stores. He also helped launch emerging designers like Spurr, Ian Velardi, and Todd Snyder to the market. Mr. Fazio began his extensive career in the fashion industry with an eight year tenure at Calvin Klein, where he helped grow the men’s business to international prominence as the Vice President, Men’s Collection.
Mr. Fazio’s role as President and Creative Director provides him the exciting opportunity to connect brands to retailers by combining his years of creative expertise, trend direction, and new talent development. This experience enables him to reimagine the trade show format and the landscape of the advanced and designer contemporary market.
On that note, we spoke to this well known fashion figure about his personal style. Here is what he had to share.
Jeans: Baldwin Slim Five Pocket
Shirts: Thom Browne white Oxford Shirt
Pants: Save Khaki Lightweight Chino
Suits: Prada Navy Suit
Shoes: Alden Cordovan Officer
Accessories: Bottega Venetta tote bag and…Henry the English Cocker Spaniel – he’s really the best accessory (!)
Outerwear: Saint Laurent Toggle coat (which I can’t wear in California because its way too hot)
Your favorite App: American Airlines…is that sad?
Favorite piece of technology: My Ipad Mini
Next tech purchase: I bought a gas grill –does that count? Oh! I just got UP by Jawbone.
