eMerge Summit: Women, Innovation and Technology

You get the eMerge Women, Innovation and Technology Summit. You also get a room full of powerful and prominent women who are ready to change the game. With thousands of people in attendance on May 4^th, 2015 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, it was a great opportunity to network and engage with others in the field and see how women are making an impact in the world of technology and innovation. 

The WIT Summit was a new initiative created by eMerge America and featured 3 Keynote Speakers, Martine Rothblatt, Abigail Posner and Genevieve Bell. Rothblatt is the Founder and served as Chairman and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio, which is now referred to as Sirius XM. 

Martine Rothblatt welcoming guests to the first annual WIT Summit on May 4, 2015 at the Miami Beach Convention Center

Posner was added to the Google team 3 years ago and helps develop creative and strategic ideas for the digital space. Bell is Vice President and director of User Experience Research at the Intel Corporation. The Summit also had various breakout sessions facilitated by speakers in different aspects of innovation and technology, as well as, an impressive interview with a #CertifiedCOOL 11 year old fashion designer, Ariel Swedroe, who uses technology in her work.

1. GET TECHY. Women need to access technology in order to be attracted to the field. They need to engage more.

2. DON'T BE A HATER. The success of women should be the success of another. Celebrate each other.

3. BE THE PROBLEM-SOLVER. You will be remembered for one of two things... the problems you create or the problems you solved.

4. FEAR IS GOOD. When you experience fear in your career, it can be sign that you are moving in the right direction... the unknown... the unfamiliar. Fear can be healthy if it moves you to action.

5. POWER OF PERSISTENCE. You will access the power of persistence when you do things with love. Amen! This is one of our core principles at COOL.

By: Joanne Joseph

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FASHION FILES: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Could it be true that Alexander McQueen be the new face of the 20 bill in the UK? 

This legendary English Fashion Designer, raised in the East End of London was considered by the Bank of England to be a part of the group of visual artists with a great historical significance in order to take place of pride on its new £20 note. 

The UK has had very talented individuals in the Visual Arts field whose work have challenged British artistic perspective all around the world. Especially when it comes to leadership, innovation, and social interaction among society.

So, what would be the one unique single thing everyone would love to see come out of an ATM? Why not see your favorite fashion designer?! It would definitely be a fashion upgrade in your wallet.                   

                                                                           

Dresses from Alexander McQueen pertaining to different collections from 2011-2013

McQueen making dress alterations

McQueen didn’t have the perfect childhood. While he was growing up, he did challenge himself and endured hardship. All of this helped in shaping him into the fashion icon that he is today. 

He was brave, sure, enthusiastic, self-exposed, unique… He was and is a legend...

“McQueen was an uncompromising pioneer in design; because his clothes were engineered with a precision and invention that put his contemporaries to shame; because he led a French haute couture house to international critical acclaim and commercial success.” 

said Alexander Fury, The Independent’s Fashion Editor. 

A selection of gowns designed by Alexander McQueen worn by (far left) Naomi Campbell, Taylor Swift at the Met Costume Gala in 2011, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Middleton's wedding dress in 2011 and First Lady Michelle Obama in Flame Red" at a formal dinner at the White House in 2011.

McQueen is one of the most respected designers in the world. His resumé includes working as Chief Designer for the French Haute Couture House Givenchy and taking the title as Creative Director for the Gucci Group. With awards such as International Designer of the Year by The Council of Fashion Designers of America, 4 British Designer of the Year awards and let's not forget a Most Excellent Commander of The British Empire (CBE) by the Queen herself in 2003; we would say that McQueen seems like a prime candidate to be featured on one of the strongest currencies in the world. 

With such a #CertifiedCOOL icon imprinted on the new bills I wonder if people would even spend the haute notes or covet them as priceless keepsakes. 

By: McKenna Martinez Crozier

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COOL PEOPLE: JAMES ROBERTSON

Hard Work is as COOL As It Gets

Our lives are interesting rollercoasters, aren’t they? It is easy to say that all we have to do in life is work hard and that through hard work, we will give our lives meaning. But what about when times get tough? What do you do then? Well, if you’re someone like James Robertson you find a way to keep going.

As a 56 year-old Detroiter, James has most likely had his fair share of hard times, but I’m not sure he was prepared for what was to come. You see he works at a factory in Rochester Hills, which is 23 miles away from his home. And up until about 10 years ago he would take his 1988 Honda Accord to work everyday; but that all changed when the car died on him.

Because of that James had to find another way to get to work, so he started using public transportation. Since the public transportation system could not take him all the way to the factory he worked at, he had to walk the remaining distance. “So what?” – You’re probably asking, “people walk to work all the time”. Well, as true as that may be I doubt they’re walking as much as he is. The closest he can get using public transportation is 10.5 miles. That means James is walking an extra 21 miles every weekday.

Now here at COOL Creative we like to celebrate amazing fashion, art, design, innovation, and such, but we also believe in celebrating amazing individuals. Individuals like James, that continue to show hard work, dedication, and passion for their work regardless of profession or how tough life is. We consider this as #CertifiedCOOL as it gets. Because even though he has to embark in such a journey every weekday he still maintains a perfect attendance record. He has never missed work. And even more so he never complains, simply stating that he can’t see himself not working.

Because of this, the Internet in all of its glory has banded together to create a kickstarer campaign to get him a car, and after only one day over $50,000 has already been raised. If you’d like to be a part of helping this hero of a man, just click here: http://www.gofundme.com/l7girc

The world needs more people like you, Mr. Robertson. You are an inspiration, and in our eyes, #CertifiedCOOL.

By: Oliver Pernt

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GEEK CHIC: HOLOLENS

Transform your world with holograms

Microsoft is making moves. Great moves. Moves that have this Apple lover pretty excited. I guess that in itself could be considered a victory for Microsoft, but let me explain why. Last Wednesday Microsoft unveiled a number of software updates as well as a giant 4K display tablet PC that you mount on your wall, which is all fine but what i'm excited about is this:

Called the "HoloLens", it is the worlds first holographic computer AND YOU WEAR IT ON YOUR FACE. How #CertifiedCOOL is that??

No wonder Google stopped development of its Glass project because this is on a whole other level... Just look at some of its capabilities:

From checking to-do lists, the weather, looking up recipes, or playing a game; to planning your next trip, or calling for help on DIY projects, the sky is the limit for what you can do on the HoloLens. Even more impressive is this:

You're given the capability of exploring other planets!

Watch and be amazed:

HoloLens is currently just a prototype but Microsoft plans on releasing it to developers this Spring.

Well played, Microsoft. HoloLens is definitely #CertifiedCOOL.

By: Oliver Pernt

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GEEK CHIC: QBRACELET

SUPERCHARGED ARM CANDY

The woes of having a low cell phone battery has become a thing of the past with portable charges. Portable chargers are becoming one of the must-have items for people on-the-go. The problem is… they're not so portable when you're carrying a cute little purse or only have your back pocket to carry things in. The most stylish answer … QBracelet! The genius people at Qbracelet have developed an easy-to-carry portable charger  to keep your phone charged in the most stylish way. This unisex designed bracelet actually looks like a modern piece of jewelry and is compatible with iOS and Android devices. 

Scroll down to the video below to see how it works. 

WE JUST PUT IN OUR ORDER.

PRE-ORDER YOURS FOR JUST $79 HERE.

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By: COOL Contributer, Joanne Joseph