Fashionista's first-ever How to Make It in Fashion conference allowed top designers to share their expert advice with aspiring tastemakers. The event, held at the Dream Hotel Downtown in New York City on Friday, boasted Zac Posen as its keynote speaker, and an additional discussion with Rebecca Minkoff and her brother-meets-business partner, Uri. Attendees, sporting their networking-ready ensembles, also had the opportunity to pick Chris Benz's brain in one-on-one interviews. According to the style site's editor at large, Lauren Sherman, this year's conference is the first of many to come.




In his speech, Posen promoted the risk-taker's route to success. He said, "You have to have chutzpah. You have to be brave." The designer, who originally began making clothing for his sister, also advised aspiring designers to "make your own clothing you're wearing. Have that dialogue with the world."


Where would the Project Runway judge be had he not made it in fashion? "If I didn't work in fashion I'd love to work for Disney as an Imagineer," he replied.


Dynamic duo Rebecca and Uri Minkoff served up their best business advice, namely why it's essential to find a great partner. "You can't undervalue finding a good partner. If you're having a bad day, they're still standing," said Rebecca. Uri emphasized his sister's comment, adding, "You have to have a sound business partner, then heart, power, and belief will get you there."


During his one-on-one sessions, designer Benz explained to us why he's the ultimate style essentialist: "Keep it lean and mean. You should put everything into the product. You can always do more and refine things later, in retrospect. Just make T-Shirts or pencil skirts, and then branch out."


Really, though, fashion is all about having a little fun, and the cotton candy-colored coiffed designer was just the person to remind us that. Benz recommended, "Go out and be popular. I'm not even kidding. Not like in an annoying way, but go out, be seen, and wear your clothes. Have a presence."