During last week’s kick-off of NY Fashion Week on February 12th Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new and further developed “Made in NY” programs that will triple the City’s investment in the fashion industry from $5 million to $15million.
The new public-private programs to be implemented in 2015 will aim to support and display manufacturers, emerging designers, aspiring designers and design students through scholarships and internships to boost emerging talent into the fashion industry.
“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,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “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.”
Mayor de Blasio gave the announcement along with members of his administration; including Deputy Mayor Glen, who leads the city’s efforts to invest in the fashion industry; at MADE. MADE is an organization that provides free space, production and more for designers each year for NYC Fashion Week.
“Fashion is vital to New York City, and we’re not just increasing support for the industry, but expanding the City’s toolkit to support the fashion industry, from launching a new marketing program and digital hub that highlights New York City companies, to funding internships that help students get their foot in the door at leading fashion businesses, to working to make the city home to the most advanced manufacturing technology,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen. “In collaboration with our industry partners, we will powerfully strengthen an industry that is key to both the City’s identity and its economy.”
Over five percent of the city’s workforce is comprised of fashion industry workers, according the press release announcement. That five percent pays $11 million in wages and generates $2 billion in tax revenue each year. Combine that with $18 billion in retail sales, $72 billion in wholesale sales and $8 billion in manufacturing sales annually; and New York’s fashion week generates an $887 million impact on the city’s economy.
The $15 million investment will mainly include public-private partnerships, sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and a variety of associates in the fashion industry.
$5 million will go toward a 2015 marketing campaign to increase media coverage and advertising of NYC fashion companies along with promotion of local designers and manufacturers on MadeInNYFashion.nyc. $1 million will fund a scholarship program to educate aspiring design students on the fashion industry and provide internships for current students.
“Fashion Week is not just an economic boon, generating nearly $900 million for the city, but also a time to celebrate the 180,000 New Yorkers that work as designers and manufacturers in the industry,” said NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball. “The Made in NY initiatives are designed to further strengthen the fashion industry holistically, from design to production to sales, ensuring that New York City remains the fashion capital of the world.”
Fashion companies may now apply to participate in Made in NY programs at MadeInNYFashion.nyc.
