Attending a new Meetup group has always been a risky adventure for me. The first Meetup group I attended was at the Negro League Cafe a few years ago. Three people show up that night. I swore I wouldn’t go to another after that. But I found myself shelving that experience and giving it another shot. What I have discovered is that if a Meetup group as a real purpose for its meeting, chances are it will become very successful.

I get the feeling that My Name is Fashion  Meetup group will slide comfortably into that category. Latoya Shanell, C.E.O. of L’ Shanel Event Productions and organizer for My Name is Fashion Meetup hosted the first meeting at Martini Park , near the Gold Coast area. Latoya would like to see Chicago make a name for itself in the international fashion community. This is partly the reason why she organized this successful fashion networking event. The idea grew from all of the positive feedback she received from the speed networking event her company produced this last October. She seems to be off to a great start as more than twenty people attended tonight’s event.

What I found inspiring was the diverse mix of aspiring professionals who were like myself, looking to network and meet other fashion, like-minded individuals. Designers, photographers, models, artist, jewelery makers, writers, and graphic artist.

Latoya appears to moving in the right direction in getting Chicago to make a name for itself in the fashion industry. She is already planning a fashion show within a few months and of course promoting the next My Name is Fashion Meetup meeting. She certainly has gained my attention. If you live in Chicago and have an interest in fashion, you need to attend the next Meepup meeting.