Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation at the intersection of fashion and retail. Financial terms were not disclosed. The company will continue to be led by founder Liz Bacelar. Hearst Corporation owns a 20% stake in Stylus.

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

Decoded Fashion connects fashion leaders with the best new and established technology and fosters creative partnerships between startups, designers, retailers and media professionals. The company is responsible for staging the World’s First Fashion Hackathon, summits and startup showcases in 12 countries.

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

Under Stylus, Decoded Fashion will accelerate the expansion of its event series in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America, connecting thousands of decision makers and fuelling dozens of collaborations between brands and tech companies.

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

Commenting on the acquisition, Stylus CEO and Founder Marc Worth said, “Decoded Fashion has quickly become the catalyst for must-attend events and regularly secures guests from the highest ranks of the world of fashion, retail and design. Decoded Fashion has a well-earned credibility amongst the fashion industry for staging events that matter. Stylus Media Group is expected to be an all-seeing source of consumer behaviour, design trends, innovation breakthroughs and business understanding. The synergy between these two companies is clear.”

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

“We are the only ones bringing together innovative startup founders at all stages with fashion and retail executives from around the globe,” Bacelar said. “Our rapid growth is a result of creative events with top decision-makers, built around the most relevant content to the industry. Working with the Stylus Media Group will support our goals to bring valuable insider content on technologies that are changing the face of the fashion industry.”

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

Worth was the co-founder of WGSN, which he sold to EMAP for £150m in 2005. “We know designers need to seek out ideas to inspire their creativity,” Worth said. “They need face-to-face events, networking, trend analysis and advisory, and a window into a world of inspiration. Decoded Fashion quickly became recognized as a platform for much needed innovation in the industry.”

 

Stylus Media Group announced the acquisition of Decoded Fashion, a New York-based company focused on creating global events that accelerate innovation#

The first Decoded Fashion Summit was produced in New York on April 2012, with the support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Eight months later, the event launched in London with The Fashion Pitch competition, offering $50,000 in investment for the best fashion startup.