Once the heartbeat of garment industry, the District (also known as the Garment Center, Fashion District, Fashion Center) is roughly located between West 34th Street and 40th Street, from Ninth Avenue to Broadway and measures less than 1 sq. mile.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the area was noted as the center for fashion in the USA, from design to manufacturing and sales. Over the last 50 years, however, New York’s garment manufacturing sector has declined as the global marketplace has become competitive and clothing manufacturing is outsourced to lower-cost foreign markets. As manufacturing moved out, leaving derelict building, the entire neighborhood showed signs of neglect.
Fortunately, for New Yorkers and visitors, the area is morphing into something else…something very positive and attractive that is bringing new life to this small piece of Manhattan.
Zoning changes attempted to keep the industry alive in order to retain employment; however, none of the attempts have been successful. Neither the public or private sectors wanted to lose an important section of the city and most recently the area has started to attract hotel development, artists and their studios, and restaurants. In addition, visitors can find:
1. Fashion Walk of Fame (38th – 40th Streets and 7th Avenue); 26 plaques honoring a few of fashions’ famous designers.
2. Parsons School of Design (40th Street and 7th Avenue/Westside). Students have included Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Jason Wui, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.
3. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Museum (27th Street and 7th Avenue). Exhibits focus on the fashion industry, including history, politics and culture.
Off Live-Support
To revitalize the area, the Garment District Alliance was formed in 1993 as a not-for-profit organization with members that include local building owners and businesses who are addressing the changing needs and wants of the area and attempting to restore the economic vitality to the District.
Arts Festival
A recent event held in the District was promoted as an Arts Festival celebrating 15 years of activity. The low-key program was designed to introduce New Yorkers and visitors to the artists who live and work in the District, discover new art galleries and dining options and be amazed at unique art installations.
On October 20, streets were cordoned off for local artists and artisans to show their works and teach visitors how to paint, knit, work with stained glass, and mold clay into works of art. Local artists presented interactive activities and displays demonstrating their creativity and included handmade arts/crafts, amigurumi, crocheting, printmaking, ceramics, recycled material clothing, knitting, and jewelry creations.
Curated Artists
Nina Edwards teaches Fashion Illustration, Digital Art and Art Licensing at Pratt Institute as well as colleges and other academic institutions in Taiwan. Currently working in New York, Edwards combines fashion and glamour that shouts wealth and celebrity and her work can be seen in fashion and beauty magazines. Original works are created digitally as well as with watercolor and she mixes modern with traditional art and illustrations. Clients include Fendi, William-Sonoma, Columbia University, Seventeen Magazine and Target. For additional information: nedw[email protected]
Knitting Around New York
This is the largest knitting group in New York City and it is open to anyone interested in knitting. If you want to learn to knit, eager to teach others how to knit, or just spend quality time with people with a passion for knitting, this is the group for you. For additional information: https://www.meetup.com/knitting-1266/events/
Art on the Plaza
The New York Art on the Plaza program is part of a public art installation project, placed in the heart of the Garment District Plazas that brings life and art together in the neighborhood. The Alliance is searching for artists interested in becoming part of the Plaza program. For additional information: http://garmentdistrict.nyc/arts/plaza-art/
Currently on View
Candy Nations. Laurence Jenkell
The 29 ft. tall candy sculptures are currently part of the Art of the Plaza program. The polyester resin pieces each weigh 1450 pounds and represent a piece of candy wrapped in the national colors of one of 20 countries. Jenkell’s objective is to convey, “…an optimistic message of unity beneath external differences.” The works can be viewed between 36-39th streets through December 9, 2018.
For additional information about the Garment District Alliance: http://garmentdistrict.nyc
Dr. Elinor Garely. [email protected]
