OVERVIEW

New York City is at the center of fashion. NYC offers unmatchable assets: more headquarters of fashion designers and fashion/retailers than any other city, the largest pool of creative talent, and the most retail space in the some of the most highly trafficked locations.   NYCEDC is working to ensure NYC remains the world’s fashion capital through important initiatives such as the 2009 launch of NYCFashionInfo – a comprehensive business-to-business resource for NYC’s fashion industry, including information on NYC Fashion Market Weeks and a searchable directory of more than 5,000 fashion showrooms. Learn more about the fashion industry in NYC by downloading any of our reports:   NYCEDC Reports Strengthening NYC’s Fashion Wholesale Market An in-depth study of NYC’s fashion wholesale sector, including economic impact analyses and details on the initiatives NYCEDC has undertaken to support and grow fashion wholesale in New York   NYC Fashion Industry Snapshot Get the key facts and statistics on NYC’s fashion industry NYC Fashion Week Facts Learn about New York Fashion Week – the event that broadcasts cutting-edge fashion to the rest of the world

WHY NYC?

MARKET SIZE

New York City is the global capital of fashion. More than 75 major fashion trade shows and market weeks take place in NYC annually, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the City. (Source: Tradeshow Week, 2008) NYC has more than 5,000 fashion showrooms, more than any other city in the world. (Source: The Doneger Group, 2007)

TALENT

The leading fashion schools in the nation are located here, offering best-in-class programs to support a full spectrum of fashion careers, including fashion marketing, merchandising, design, and many more: The Art Institute of New York City, Fashion Design Program Berkeley College - New York, Fashion Marketing and Management Fashion Institute of Technology Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising New York School of Design, Fashion Design Programs Parsons School of Design, Fashion Programs Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, Fashion Design Wood Tobé-Coburn School, Fashion Design Program

DISTRIBUTION

The City is located within one day’s highway travel of more than 55 percent of the US population and more than 60 percent of the population of Canada. Our extensive transportation infrastructure includes access to several interstates and three major airports, making New York City a convenient hub for distribution to the Northeast, Midwest, and Mid South. Calvin Klein, Bergdorf Goodman and Tommy Hilfiger Sportswear have a New York City distribution presence, to name just a few.

MANUFACTURING

New York City has six centers of apparel and accessories manufacturing: Manhattan Garment Center Serves as the heart of New York City fashion. Home to sample rooms, production factories, mid- and high-end couture production, as well as the majority of NYC’s apparel showrooms, designers, and industry suppliers. Chinatown Center of low- and moderately-priced women’s wear production. Apparel firms are, for the most part, contractors. Brooklyn & Queens Sunset Park, Brooklyn The highest concentration of garment manufacturers and contractors outside Manhattan. Specializes in low- and moderately-priced women’s wear. Long Island City, Queens Also has a significant cluster of apparel manufacturers and contractors. Firms tend to be larger and more self-contained, handling several aspects of the production process at once. Two other large clusters of apparel and textile employees are located along the Bushwick/Glendale border of Brooklyn and Queens.

WHO'S HERE

New York City is the flagship of many major department stores: Barneys New York Bergdorf Goodman Inc. Bloomingdale’s Inc. Macy’s Saks Fifth Avenue Many famous labels originated in NYC: Anna Sui Anne Klein Betsey Johnson Bill Blass Calvin Klein Donna Karan Eileen Fisher Ellen Tracy Geoffrey Beene Harve Benard Isaac Mizrahi Jeffrey Craig Jones New York Kenneth Cole Leslie Fay Liz Claiborne Mystic Apparel Nicole Miller Ocean Bay Oscar de la Renta Ralph Lauren Vera Wang

SUCCESS STORIES

Matrix Global Academy Matrix, a leading L'Oreal brand, sought to establish a new training facility and needed space for employees of other brands. The company chose an NYC location for its facility and office space.

Hermès USA The redevelopment of Lower Manhattan inspired Hermès to tap into its mix of potential downtown shoppers by opening a 5,400 square foot retail location there.

PRESS RELEASES

Mayor Bloomberg and CFDA Announce Fashion Business Incubator Mayor Bloomberg and CFDA Announce Fashion Business Incubator

EDC Announces Initiatives for Fashion Market Weeks NYC Economic Development Corporation Announces Initiatives Aimed at Helping the Fashion Industry and Increasing Efficiency for Buyers Attending Fashion Market Weeks

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Service Providers 24 Seven Inc. is the leading talent recruitment agency for the biggest names in fashion, retail, home, beauty, advertising, and entertainment. Fashion Associations American Apparel and Footwear Association is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association of over 300 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. Business Assistance The Fashion Center Business Improvement District is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes New York City's apparel industry and improves the quality of life and economic vitality of Manhattan's garment district. Garment Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) is a non-profit organization that strengthens New York City’s apparel industry. New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) makes it easier for small businesses to do business in New York City. News Sources Apparel Magazine provides apparel and retail executives with information, research and strategic insight. Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) provides industry news and key women's fashion trends. DNR is an industry news source focusing on men's fashion.

	Women's Fall 2009 Market Week Survey Disclaimer (34 KB)

INCENTIVES

NYCEDC offers information about a variety of New York City business incentives designed to help businesses thrive. Visit our Financing & Incentives section.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information on how NYCEDC can help your business in NYC, please contact: Patrick Murphy Vice President fashion@nycedc.com (212) 312-4258