CFDA and DHL have been partners for over a year, and recently launched a new program aimed at giving emerging brands the opportunity to expand their businesses globally. Enter the DHL Logistics in Fashion award. Its inaugural three winners, chosen by a jury of CFDA and DHL representatives, are Brandon Maxwell, Liya Kebede for lemlem, and Area’s Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk.
According to Christine Nashick, Chief Marketing Officer for DHL Express Americas, the partnership with CFDA allows DHL to help emerging designers expand their businesses and “adopt the most impactful approaches to growing their global supply chain.”
The award, for example, helps connect top brands with the leading international express services provider and their extensive network of experts on topics relating to international logistics.
“Our commitment to making clothes for women of all ages and backgrounds is a big part of our DNA at Brandon Maxwell,” Maxwell said. “In order to do so timely and seamlessly, we require a partner that is able to provide us with the expertise and infrastructure to ship our product around the world without delays. Through the support of DHL and the CFDA, we feel confident that we are delivering our goods in the same way they were constructed; with quality, love and care.”
Each brand will receive special discounts for DHL Express international shipping service; DHL consultation from experts in global shipping, regulatory requirements for import/export and support shipping application setup; and PR and social media opportunities with DHL.
“What we love most about DHL is that its service extends beyond major markets which allows us to connect with smaller, more specialized vendors and it allows us to reach our customers at an individual level on a global scale,” added Area’s Beckett Fogg.
Lemlem’s Liya Kebede underscored her brand’s commitment to making lemlem in Africa, adding that this comes with some “interesting” logistics challenges.
“Having the expert support and mentorship from such outstanding partners as DHL and CFDA through this award will help lemlem reach new heights, bringing our collections to more markets and promoting African fair trade,” she noted.
