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<P>This year I wanted LadyDrinks members to participate in this year's New York Fashion Week. Tuesday, September 12th, we are hosting a conversation with Polish-born fashion designer Karolina Zmarlak at a really special space in Soho. (<A HREF="http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/karolina-zmarlak)" TARGET="_blank" REL="noopener noreferrer noopener nofollow noopener noreferrer nofollow nofollow noreferrer nofollow">Read about her in Vogue here</A>)</P>
<P>Flying Solo is a fashion incubator founded by jewelry designer<A HREF="http://www.solomeina.us/#new-page" TARGET="_blank" REL="noopener noreferrer noopener nofollow noopener noreferrer nofollow nofollow noreferrer nofollow">Elizabeth Solomeina</A>. Thisfashion collective is made up of 45 independent & local designerswho havejoined forces to afford a 2,000-square-foot space on Mulberry Street.</P>
<P>Flying Solo stemmed from Solomeina's own struggles as a designer, from finding retailers that would take a chance on a new brand to production & inventory costs. After testing the concept with a series of pop-ups throughout the Upper West Side & Soho & finding an investor, she found a long-term space to house 33 up-and-coming designers. </P>
<P>"We didn't have money for construction, so we had to do it ourselves. I had tears in my eyes when we opened. It was amazing to see what we could achieve as a group because we really wanted it to happen." (Fashionista.com)</P>
<P>Since then, the collective is nearing 50 designers offering womenswear, accessories & jewelry. </P>
<P>Together, the designers behind Flying Solo help pay for rent & additional expenses, such as electricity. They are also required to work for the shop one full day per week, with up to four designers on the floor each day. </P>
<P>Solomeina's goal is to educate designers outside of the collective. "I see all of the mistakes that independent designers make when they start their brands, & I want to stop them from making [them]," she says. </P>
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