Fashion Service Network
Giving Back
The Fashion Service Network invests in the future of the industry.
The Fashion Service Network enjoys a close relationship with the Fashion Institute of Technology. A graduate student is selected annually from the Global Fashion Management program to receive a fellowship. Recipients are selected by FIT.
In previous years scholarships alternated annually from the School of Art & Design and from the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology for an upper school scholarship. To date many scholarships and fellowships have been awarded. Many FSN scholars and fellows are now successfully working in the industry, with others completing their studies soon to follow.
In addition to the financial award, FSN invites all recipients to participate in most FSN meetings and events. FSN members are always make time available to offer a broad range of expert advice and direction for our scholars with their careers.
For many years now, each semester the Fashion Service Network presents a panel class to the Faces & Places in Fashion class at FIT. Our members are often invited to present to a variety of classes at FIT.
Periodically the Fashion Service Network presents informative industry educational events and host private networking gatherings.
“Fashion Service Network proudly supports the Fashion Institute of Technology and awards a full scholarship each year.”
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Mark Friedman
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Mark Friedman has more than 30 years of experience in the consumer and retail industry as an Entrepreneur, Manager, Research Analyst, and Strategic Advisor. During his two decades as a Senior Research Analyst at Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs he was ranked on the Institutional Investor annual survey of best analysts in three different sectors-...
David Votano
Partner, Lifestyle & Retail, North America
David is a Partner at Elevate Talent, where he leads the Lifestyle and Retail practice across North America. With nearly 20 years of experience in executive search, David has become a trusted advisor to founders, investors, and boards, specializing in building leadership teams for the world’s most innovative consumer organizations.
David’s expertise sits at the...
Karen Giberson
President & CEO
A genuine style insider, Karen has years of experience in merchandising, marketing and public relations. As President of the Accessories Council, a non-profit national advocacy group, she represents nearly 300 dynamic companies in the fashion footwear, accessory and jewelry industry.
Beyond current members, Karen works with hundreds of brands, retailers and industry support executives. Interacting mainly...
Paul Magel
President, Applications & Technology Outsourcing
Paul, who joined CGS in 1997, has over 25 years of experience in the information technology space. Leading the Application Solutions group at CGS, Mr. Magel oversees the company’s flagship BlueCherry Enterprise Suite of solutions for the fashion, apparel and consumer lifestyle products industry as well as the Technology and Infrastructure practice overseeing sales, delivery,...
Jed Ferdinand, Esq.
Partner, Chair Intellectual Property Group
Jed is a leading authority in the areas of intellectual property, licensing, valuation and entrepreneurship, and these specialties form the core of his legal practice, his work as a valuation expert and his role as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School in New York.