Women have unapologetically taken the sneaker and creative cultures by storm these past few years, with more women artists, CEOs, designers, editors, etc., than ever before. To celebrate and honor these triumphs, Bodega seeks to promote that momentum with a night filled with dynamic dialogue and networking through our first ever, women’s-centered panel. Welcoming women and allies of all kinds, the event will focus on the obstacles that come with being a woman in a male-dominated industry, how these obstacles are overcome, and more (*see Our Mission below*), as well as an interactive Q&A with the panelists and attendees (so come ready with your best inquiries!). The panel will then be followed by a networking hour, giving the attendees a chance to connect with each other and the panelists, shopping, food catered by Cafeteria and more! First guests will receive a small welcome gift. Reserve your spot now, as space is extremely limited.
Our mission is to create a storytelling/networking platform for women with unique and interesting perspectives on sneakers and streetwear (all genders and identities are welcome). With this event, we hope that each attendee will be given the tools and insight to thrive within the industry and culture, as well as make long-lasting networks and connections to women and allies with similar interests.
*** RSVP IS NOW CLOSED.***
RSVP's do not guarantee a spot at this event. Please arrive by 7:00, as space is limited.
Currently a Senior Footwear Designer at Converse, Liz has 10+ years background in the Footwear industry. The bulk of her experience comes from her work at BBC International, the largest distributor of Children’s Footwear in the world, where she worked her way up from Assistant Footwear Designer to Vice President of Design. Her footwear design experience extends across all product categories and genders and includes working with major brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Sam Edelman, Guess, DKNY, and Kendall & Kylie. Besides designing, her background includes sourcing and merchandising footwear for major retailers, distributors, and multi-door independents.
Besides a deep love of all things sneakers, Liz is a 90’s hip hop fanatic, loves fashion and styling, and when the mood so strikes, hustles her vintage finds as a hobby. She has a lot of Boston pride after living in the city since she began her college education at Northeastern University. After graduating with a degree in Design, she fell in to footwear through a job offer from a friend and cannot imagine life in any other industry.
Donica White started her career in the industry working as a buyer at the global streetwear retailer Karmaloop.com. Here she bought for both Men’s and Women’s categories as well as the skate division Brick harbor for a few seasons. Later went on to dabble in architecture / construction / interior design project administration before the world of streetwear/footwear called her back. From there she kicked off (literally) her official footwear career at Converse (Nike Inc.) working as a Product Marketing Assistant and then evolved to Associate Product Line Manager for Women’s Skate Lifestyle.From there, she moved on to take hold of a new opportunity currently working at Reebok as a Global Brand Communication Marketing Manager.
Maya “Sprat” Spratling is a Bi-coastal (Boston-Los Angeles) stylist and creative director who specializes in color theory. Her personal style and attention to detail creates a seamless platform for style seekers via @jetpacksprat - her personal social fashion archives- and @TOMBOYISH - a platform for androgynous women in fashion. Maya has also worked as a personal stylist for artists and created original content / direction for Tomboyish. Through fashion, positivity and womanhood Maya has cultivated a virtual space for inclusivity in a sometimes pretentious fashion industry.
Elizabeth McGarry is a multi-disciplinary designer and co-founder of the sportswear consulting studio MCGARRY&sons. The studio has become one of the most sought-after agencies for brands seeking creative collaboration within the sportswear industry. Elizabeth is also Creative Director of the award-winning footwear brand, YORK Athletics Mfg., which includes Bodega as one of their earliest stockest.
Elizabeth's career began working in the avant-garde fashion scene of Antwerp, Belgium in the early 2000s. After returning to her hometown in Oregon she was recruited by Nike Sportswear where she helped reshape the women’s business. After building a career as an apparel designer for the world's leading performance companies, including Nike, Adidas Group, Puma and New Balance, Elizabeth dove headfirst into the world of consulting in 2010. On the earliest wave of DTC companies disrupting the Sportswear industry, she's helped to lead some of the most talked about brands of the past eight years.
Elizabeth is now based in Boston, MA where she lives with her husband Mark, their two wild sons, two lazy cats, in their little black house in the city.
