“Success is only achieved by those who do not recognize failure as a possibility.” - Gabriella “Coco” Chanel, Paris, 1916
2010 was a year of difficult endings and promising new beginnings. The US finally achieved universal healthcare, the world witnessed the devastating fall and rebuild of Haiti, the incredibly strong-willed miners in Chile were rescued after 69 days, Spain rightfully won the World Cup, and the beautiful people of Brazil elected their first female President.
Amidst the world politico and camaderie, the fashion industry alike saw many new turns, not the least that the Fern Mallis-founded ‘7th on 6th’ New York Fashion Week moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, after 30 seasons. This symbolization of Fashion as Art opened new gates for the apparel industry to blaze a trail dedicated to the success of the great American and International designers throughout the world on the stage of New York City.
In this humble corner of the industry, one of the most important milestones to us has been the birth of our company, THE KING COLLECTIVE. In late 2009, our goal was to set up a one-stop shop that would build the brand first, encompassing a 360-model in providing sales, PR and all the necessary tools for a designer to achieve success. Over the course of 2010, we have seen that model come closer and closer to fruition.
KING has evolved and changed, just as the climate for fashion designers has, but we still stand true and believe in what we have accomplished this year. Launching a fashion company during one of the toughest economic times has not been an easy feat, but thanks to the loyalty and support of the KING family, including a strong advisory board along with a strong network of commitment from friends, family and clients, we have made waves and are poised for success in 2011.
We never thought that bumping into our old friend Richie Rich at Le Cirque in February would lead to the establishment of the brand Popluxe and to such an incredible opening night runway show at Lincoln Center with Richie Rich taking a final bow next to Ellen Degeneres. We never imagined we would launch the Nordic:NewYork program to support Scandinavian brands at New York Fashion Week our first year in business and we certainly never thought we would have the honour of producing the first-ever Nordic runway show at IMG NY Fashion week for IVANAhelsinki.
In addition to developing fashion brands, we have had the great privilege to develop such wonderful projects as Dots Styles & Beats, Mia Morgan & The Fashion Alchemist, The Fete de Swifty & The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the launch of Timothy Ferriss’ second NY-Times Bestseller, The 4-Hour Body.
During 2009-2010, the founding team that would become KING moved from Stockholm, Ethiopia, Zurich and Los Angeles to New York City, to start a company that wished to dedicate itself to the emerging fashion designer. We were accomplished on our own, but had not yet worked together. Over the course of 2010, the KING team endured several aforementioned successes as well as our share of hardships in running a new business. Regardless, each step has made us the family we are today and if you are reading this, you too are an integral part of our world. As we look to 2011, we cannot help but get excited for the projects ahead as we confidently forge forward in the commitment we have made to our clients and to the industry of Fashion.
Special thanks to Richie Rich, Mia Morgan, Alexis Graham, Timothy Ferriss, Julia Alarcon, Pirjo & Paola Suhonen, Tiia Vanhatapio, Trine Jespersen, Pernille Aasholm, Alexandra Perez, Kaitlyn Vignola, Maureen Vignola, George Vignola, Virginia & Brian Ward, Bob & Sharon Perez, Anne Bowen, Alexander Nilsson-Lorenz, Andrea Saper, Jason Tanzer, Serena Saitas, Shira Carmi, Joe Weinholtz, Jake Bright, David Guc, Joey Hutchins, Rick Kimball, Steve Ocean, Victor Otero, Chelsea Plesnitzer, Kerri Halpern, Chris Coffee, Jenn Conlon, Cindy Barshop, Edward Tricomi, Sunny Norton, Chance Spiessbach, Ian Gerard, Caroline Babson, Dana Beyert, Ryan Cook, Reni Lane, Edina Sultanik Vince Butta and especially to Andreas Ingvarsson, for your sincere loyalty, diligence and unwavering dedication.
HAPPY NEW YEAR & MANY GREAT SUCCESSES IN 2011.
THE KING COLLECTIVE (from a lanai in O’ahu, Hawai’i)
Keri Vignola Ingvarsson
Erin Morgan Sweeney
Andy Wyss
Megan Ward
Nimatha Suberu
Christelle Mathon
