About Us
ABOUT AFINGO
AFINGO is the first platform designed to assist designers in cultivating and maintaining sustainable, profitable businesses. We strive to create an open environment wherein expert advice, real world experiences and industry relationships are shared and nurtured.
AFINGO is changing the way fashion does business. While considered a forward-looking industry, the backend remains steadfastly old-school: information is difficult to come by; the language of fashion is difficult to learn; and industry players often shift or simply go out of business. For established designers and brands, there is the need to improve efficiencies and rein in costs. For independent designers, launching a line is a daunting process in an industry that is less than transparent.
AFINGO marries the power of an online platform with meaningful industry events to connect designers with the knowledge and resources to Get It Made™ and Get It Sold™. Our business-to-business application makes the production process simpler, faster and more cost-effective while providing an industry-leading utility that offers intuitive navigation, customization and two-way engagement. The AFINGO Fashion Forum event series provides real world connection by bringing together thought leaders in the fashion industry.
AFINGO is headquartered in New York, New York. We are fashion experts, consultants and enthusiasts with over 25 years of shared industry experience.
Executive Team
Liza Deyrmenjian
A veteran entrepreneur, Liza Deyrmenjian has over 16 years of experience owning and running her own Vancouver, Canada-based garment manufacturing companies. Liza produced for labels such as Marmot, Roffe, London Fog and Gerry. She also in produced and sold her own line of polar and micro fleece outerwear, Top Shop, through Costco domestically, and her girls’ label Go Girl at independent retailers in Western Canada.
In 2003, Liza moved to New York City where she began consulting with young designers, helping them to launch their businesses. Clients went from sketch to selling in 60 stores within eight months of working with Liza. Rochelle Behrens’ “The Shirt” was featured this year on Oprah.
In 2009, Liza launched Afingo.com, a social network for the fashion community. In 2011, the site was re-launched as a B2B platform for designers and brands to source qualified manufacturers globally. Sought after as a speaker and consultant, Liza continues to bring her entrepreneurial experience to designers, brands and, now, to Shoptoko.com.
Kristian Giambi
After studying Visual Communications at California State University, Kristian Giambi parlayed her passion for art and photography into high-end loungewear and lingerie line Brulee. Handcrafted in New York City using the finest fabrics and intricate workmanship, the line has become known for its luxurious appeal. As Creative Director, Kristian brings a keen eye for style and aesthetics, and expertise in the areas of fashion sourcing, manufacturing and distribution to AFINGO, while continuing to design and promote her collection.
Jason Giambi
Southern California native Jason Giambi is one of baseball's most intimidating left-hitting batters, as well as a successful entrepreneur. Pursuing a Business major at California State University Long Beach, Jason was drafted by the Oakland A's and made his Major League Baseball debut in 1995. His career accolades include receiving the Silver Slugger award in 2001 and 2002, five All-Star Team appearances, and being named the American League MVP in 2000. Jason currently plays first base for the Colorado Rockies and owns several restaurants, residential and lifestyle properties.
Katherine Danesi
Katherine oversees day-to-day operations at AFINGO and ShopToko.com, and manages the site design and development project for the new venture. A business management professional, with over 15 years experience in technology and the Internet space, Katherine thrives on applying thorough research, critical analysis, and creative problem solving to any market opportunity or business challenge.
Prior to working on her own as freelance business writer and strategic consultant, Katherine was Director of Client Services at the leading online IT services marketplace, Onforce.com. As Director of Channel Sales & Operations at Securant Technologies, she developed a worldwide single-tier sales channel to drive sales of the company’s flagship web access control offering. Now, ShopToko.com affords Katherine the perfect opportunity to combine her management, market building and customer service skills, with her knowledge of sales transactions, inventory and logistics in a B2B environment gained during her tenure at computer and electronic components distributor Arrow Electronics, to successfully launch this innovative service.
Advisory Board
Gregory Feller
Greg Feller is a seasoned investment professional with over 16 years of investment banking experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and capital raising, including IPOs and private placements. Previously, Greg was Co-Head of the Technology Banking Group and a Managing Director of Citadel Securities, where he focused on the wireless and digital media sectors. Prior to Citadel, Greg was co-head of the Global Communications Technology Group at UBS and also spent over 10 years at Lehman Brothers where he was Global Head of their Communications Technology Group in New York and London. Before joining Lehman Brothers, he was vice president in the Technology Group at Goldman Sachs. Greg sits on the Board of Trustees for Helen Keller International and is a Founding Advisor of nonprofit Palindrome Advisors.
Maryssa Miller
As Vice President of E-Commerce for CREATETHE GROUP, Maryssa Miller supports client platform implementations, helping retailers develop, manage and grow their online businesses. Maryssa was most recently Director, E-Commerce at Lacoste, where she successfully established and grew the company’s e-commerce business. She previously held positions at 1-800-FLOWERS and Scholastic, Inc., both among the Internet Retailer Top 50. Maryssa holds a Masters Degree in Direct and Interactive Marketing from New York University where she also teaches E-commerce Marketing.
Cynthia Rowley
Cynthia Rowley has long been a fashion and style authority, with a namesake collection that includes women’s wear, beachwear and wetsuits, men’s wear, eyewear, handbags, shoes, baby, home sewing products, tools, legwear, shapewear, and ‘dress-up’ band-aids, not to mention a mobile fashion unit: the Cynthia Rowley Shop on Wheels. Cynthia has appeared on “Project Runway” and “America’s Next Top Model,” and her work has been featured in nearly every major magazine and newspaper domestically and internationally. She has received an award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for her women’s collection as well as an acknowledgment from the Council for her menswear designs. The Cynthia Rowley Collection is sold in better department, specialty and online stores, as well as in approximately sixty Cynthia Rowley shops around the world.
Ron Walden
Ron Walden recently joined Nike, Inc. as Western Regional Sales Manager, Jordan. Previously, Ron was Vice President of Sales for MAGIC International, the largest fashion trade show in the world. At MAGIC, he is responsible for driving sales and profitability for all Young Men’s, Street, S.L.A.T.E. and license business. Ron’s credentials include 15 years sales management experience in the apparel industry. Mr. Walden originally joined MAGIC in 2000 as the sales and show manager for The Edge a streetwear and board sports platform. In between his original position at MAGIC and his current role Ron served as a senior sales manager within the fashion industry, First as Vice President of Sales and Operations for Third Rail USA and then as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Clipper Corporation a uniforms manufacturer where he quadrupled sales over a four-year period.
OUR PARTNERS
Lectra
Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions that automate, streamline and accelerate product design, development and manufacturing processes for industries using soft materials. Lectra develops the most advanced specialized software and cutting systems and provides associated services to a broad array of markets including fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and interiors, airbags), furniture, as well as a wide variety of other market sectors, such as aeronautical and marine industries, wind power, and personal protective equipment. Lectra serves 23,000 customers in more than 100 countries with 1,350 employees and $252 million in 2010 revenues. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext.
StyleSpot
Everyday celebrities around the world create new fashion trends, introduce us to new brands and pull together looks that we covet. StyleSpot is the Internet’s ultimate source for bringing you images of the latest celebrity looks, where to purchase them and how to interpret the trend to suit your needs.
SOURCING at MAGIC
SOURCING at MAGIC presents the fashion supply chain at its most complete. Connect with more than 700 apparel, footwear and accessories manufacturers, fabric and trim suppliers, print design studios, service and technology providers from around the world united under one roof. As North America’s largest fashion sourcing event, the show delivers convenient one-stop shopping and access to an entire spectrum of fashion resources, from fiber to finished product.
Opening one day before MAGIC, SOURCING AT MAGIC is the perfect place to discover invaluable resources, get inspired and network. The show features exclusive trend forecasting in collaboration with trend authorities such as Pantone and Fashion Snoops, and a comprehensive seminar series led by top industry experts on best practices, sustainability, social media and various other fashion topics.
In the Press
The Huffington Post – It's Smart.
NBC New York – A one-day enrollment at 'Fashion University.
Contact Us
General Inquiries
Advertising
Support
Headquarters
- 40 West 29th Street
- Suite 204
- New York, NY 10001
- US & Canada: 1 (855) 878-7018
- International: 1 (917) 261-5587