Live at the Brooklyn design studio A/D/O we listen in as Nesli Danisman, founder of Angora Group, shares how she became an expert in sourcing materials around the world. Starting in as an assistant to Ralph Lauren and sourcing for nearly a decade for Marc Jacobs, Nesli describes her mission with Angora Group to help companies develop the best products with the best factories around the world. We close it out with some heavy-hitting questions from the audience that you won’t want to miss.
TIME STAMPS
(00:15) Welcome back! We are live from Greenpoint Brooklyn at A/D/O
(01:12) Live introduction to the group at A/D/O.
(03:44) Special shout out to our sponsor, Indx.
(06:44) Intro: Nesli Danisman found of Angora Group.
(08:25) What does Angora Group do?
(10:11) … and what they don’t do.
(11:57) Is it true that more designers come to Angora Group versus just people with money?
(13:38) Nesli breaks down the 30/30/30 model.
(15:27) The vision behind Kanye’s pieces… that never came to
fruition.
(16:40) Nesli shares some of the brands Angora Group has worked with.
(17:36) Learn about the movement that was Charivari?
(20:58) What it was like to work in Ralph Lauren’s home and then in his company.
(22:16) Lab dips: what are they?
(23:33) FIT and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
(25:57) Why did Nesli leave MBMJ and how did she know she was ready to go out on her own?
(27:39) MBMJ was Nesli’s first client and the Apple collaboration.
(29:02) How does Nesli know so many people around the world?
(30:11) What is a factory rat and why Nesli identifies with them?
(31:15) Why is going to the factories so important and what do you learn?
(33:59) Discovering new factories for the best products and materials.
(36:31) Why teaching the client to fish is more economical and ethical than catching the fish.
(39:11) The difference between development and production.
(41:03) How PLMs help create efficiency in business and reduce waste.
(42:43) Trends: what’s reoccurring?
(44:24) Audience Q&A: superpower and where does Africa stand in the future of business.
(46:51) Characteristics that successful people tend to have? Blindspots?
(49:38) Does skillset and traditional schooling still matter?
(52:08) Is it possible to teach the big players how to be more responsible and sustainable?
(53:45) When did Nesli realize what she wanted to do?
(54:56) Final thank you’s and acknowledgments.
(57:57) Learn more about A/D/O.
(58:52) Shout out to Mr. Omondi
Links & Resources:
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)