On March 22, 2011, over two hundred people filed into Parsons Auditorium for the Cb5 Town Hall meeting on the future of New York City’s Garment District. Increased zoning and real estate pressures coupled with dwindling demand for manufacturing in the U.S. has created a less than favorable outlook for apparel factories and the designers who rely on them to create their collections.
On March 22, 2011, over two hundred people filed into Parsons Auditorium for the Cb5 Town Hall meeting on the future of New York City’s Garment District. Increased zoning and real estate pressures coupled with dwindling demand for manufacturing in the U.S. has created a less than favorable outlook for apparel factories and the designers who rely on them to create their collections.
Design Trust program director Jerome Chou presented Made in Midtown’s findings, which provide a very clear picture of the history, current use and designer demand for local manufacturing. A high density of designers have set up shop in and around the garment center due to cheaper rents and closeness to manufacturing facilities.
A panel consisting of representatives from the manufacturing sector, design sector, real estate, the NYCEDC, and Pratt Institute gathered together for an engaging and lively discussion. Eric Gural (far right), an executive managing director at Newmark Knight Frank, spoke of the harsh realities of real estate pressures on the garment industry and the allure of selling space to more lucrative clients, such as hotels and restaurants. Joe Ferrara (center), Founder and director of the Garment Center Supplier Association, spoke to the need for entrepreneurship and the also the realities of upgraded spaces where manufacturers are located.
Participants in the audience shared passionate stories and pointed questions. One gentleman asked Madelyn Wils if the garment center is in fact a priority for them. Nanette Lepore stepped up and passionately talked about how NYC’s manufacturing center made it possible for her to start her brand and get it to where it is today. Other participants commented that action needed to happen 30 years ago if they wanted to see a bright future for the apparel manufacturing industry.
Source4Style was there to hand out information on the SMARTER GARMENT CENTER.™ We recognize that producing locally is a critical component of the sustainable design process, so we’re taking the first steps to discover how we can create a solution for New York’s local garment industry. This is an exploratory space for us – so we’d obviously love to hear your thoughts as to how we can help designers source globally and produce more locally – and how we can help suppliers get more business.
More information on the SMARTER GARMENT CENTER™ will be revealed throughout the year, so stay tuned here and on the SMARTER GARMENT CENTER™ landing page and sign up for future newsletters.
