NYC To Shine Even Brighter As Fashion Capital
By: Hope Wilkos, Monique Nolan, Writer/Blogger
Nothing can keep the fashion crowds away from New York City as the most recent Fall/Winter 2015 Fashion Week has brought a certain excitement and an aura of style, almost like a spell being cast over the city. Not only do we get a glimpse into a season of fashion trends from some of the finest and most talented designers of the decade, but every business within the city and its surroundings seems to flourish during the twice annually fashion weeks which take over the city.
Noone knows better than Mayor De Blasio himself,The mayor spoke at a press conference at Milk Studios to launch MADE, just how much benefit the city receives from Fashion Week. There are almost 200,000 workers in the fashion industry (5.5% of the city’s workforce)which equates to $11 billion in wages. In turn, that stimulates the economy, giving the city a boost of $2 billion in tax revenue on an annual basis and $887 million total economic impact.
Photo Credit: Maxine Nolan-Whylie
As part of an ongoing tradition, Mayor De Blasio welcomed Fashion Week to New York City on February 12, 2015. Standing on the podium, he looked out into an audience of fashion dignitaries comprised of Diane von Furstenberg, Andrew Rosen, Nanette Lepore, Stacey Bendet, Maxwell Osborne, Dao-Yi Chow, Yeohlee Teng, Jeffrey Banks and of course, one of his fashion helpers, his wife and the first lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray. Not only did he give Fashion Week a warm welcome, but he made a strong commitment to the city and to the industry.
Photo: George Whylie
As part of a new initiative focusing on the fashion industry, the Mayor announced that the city will be tripling the amount of money given to support fashion development. Doing the math, it works out to a total of $15 million as compared to the current $5 million. The “Made in NY” initiatives to be funded with this money include internships and scholarships for students, as well as a high-profile marketing campaign spotlighting the city’s fashion talents. Made in NY will also offer an awards program for designers and grants to train garment workers in new technology. Mayor De Blasio explained the reason for his decision. “Fashion is incredibly important to New York City, not just because it helps make us the most creative and exciting city in the world, but because of the hundreds of thousands of jobs and links to economic opportunity it creates. We are determined to ensure that New York City’s working designers and manufacturers — and those aspiring to join that community — have the support they need to make it in New York City, and continue to grow NYC as the fashion capital of the world.”
But it doesn’t seem to end there. To promote local talent and ‘Made In NYC‘, the city will also be partnering with the Council Of Fashion Designers of America on the NYC Capsule Collection. This collection will introduce us to a variety of local talent. All pieces will be designed, manufactured and sold in New York City and should be available for purchase in stores by the fall.
Through this extra boost to the fashion industry in a city otherwise known as ‘one of the fashion capitals of the world’, the city’s manufacturing and design sectors will be reinforced.
Photo Credit: George Whylie
Many fashion experts in the city are used to taking in Fashion Week at MADE, an organization that provides space, production and other required resources to 40 designers during each New York Fashion Week. There is no cost to the designers, allowing them to get the most beneficial coverage and exposure possible.
So what are the details to begin this initiative? The program will begin in 2015 and carry on for two years with a $5 million creative marketing campaign which will highlight the specific fashion companies that are able to take advantage of these services. In addition, $5 million will be made available for manufacturers which will include grants and thereby empowering the local production facilities to upgrade to the newest cutting-edge technology in manufacturing. Workers will also have the ability to take advantage of current training programs.
The City will also facilitate a “Production Summit” for fashion manufacturing in order to highlight best practices and identify innovative solutions for industry challenges; develop an electronic platform to allow local designers to more easily connect with local production facilities; and expand worker training sessions to ensure local garment workers stay up-to-date in their production skill set. To date, the City’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative has granted over $1.1 million for equipment upgrades and workforce development to enable new efficiencies and increased competitiveness for 13 New York City manufacturing companies.
A $4 million package of new and expanded design initiatives will help designers build visibility within the industry by providing space at critical events such as trade shows, and by creating new public-facing opportunities to sell products and draw attention to their brands via retail pop-ups and partnerships. Additionally, the City will introduce an awards program that recognizes Made in NY designers who have demonstrated exceptional promise and ability. The City’s existing Fashion Production Fund has now awarded a total of nearly $1 million to 11 designers to help fulfill purchase orders that move their products into the marketplace. Additionally, the City’s NYC Capsule Collection, operated in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, will allow City-based designers to create a small collection of items and facilitate their production in City-based factories to sell through City-based retailers. NYCEDC and CFDA expect to announce participating designers in the coming months and collections to be in stores this fall.
For the first time, the City will offer a $1 million program to connect aspiring design students to the fashion industry via scholarships to study fashion-related disciplines at a New York City-based educational institution, and fully funded internships at fashion companies for current students who wish to gain exposure to the industry.
To be eligible for Made in NY initiatives, including having products featured in Made in NY branded retail events and marketing programs, designers must initially meet the following criteria:
a. Headquartered or incorporated in New York City
b. Possess registered business license
c. Manufacture one or more fashion products (e.g. clothing, jewelry, or accessories)
d. One or more existing retail partner(s) or minimum of 1,000 products sold annually
e. One or more full-time employees
f. One or more products designed, cut, sewn, assembled, and finished in New York City
Once the Mayor finished his speech and informed his audience of the fantastic fashion industry news, he had one more surprise up his sleeve. We lost a very fine designer in October of 2014, Oscar de la Renta. His legacy shall not be forgotten because a future street in New York City will be named after de la Renta, not only a designer but former President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
