fashion in Tokyo

I'm sure that those who know me don't associate me with fashion. And yet tonight I attended a fashion industry networking event.

It was put on via a group on LinkedIn, the "Facebook for Adults" where I've had an account for years but have only really begun to understand its full potential. Having already made industry contacts through that site's groups it was very informative and helpful to meet people with whom I might some day do real business, including:
+ a web designer with experience in the fashion industry
+ a jeweler who is disgusted with his firm's online efforts
+ a former investment banker who's now a consultant on retail business
+ a fellow who manages the finances and operations for successful brands
+ a recruiter for the fashion industry (the guy who organized the whole thing)

The organizer made pains to introduce everybody in terms of the business they're in and at the end of the night had some advice for me on making the most of the connections I'd made. He also had someone prepare the business receipts we'd need to write the whole affair off. In all, a well run event.

This is turning out to be the interesting year I'd expected.