Made in New York apparel is on the rise, as the CFDA and NYCEDC continue to support the city’s leading fashion production facilities and their business growth initiatives.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the fifth round of Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) Grant Fund recipients.
Seven New York City-based fashion production facilities, including factory workshop Atelier Amelia and production manufacturer Sunrise Studio, will receive more than $480,000 in grants to support their operational needs. With the FMI Grant Fund, New York City’s garment hub could thrive and further contribute locally products to consumers’ worldwide.
The FMI, a program of the CFDA in partnership with NYCEDC that was established in 2013, aims to fortify and preserve garment production in New York City, with an overarching goal of connecting the city’s fashion creators to local manufacturing.
Funding from the FMI Grant Fund will enable the latest round of recipients, including three companies that are receiving the award for the first time, to make capital improvements, upgrade infrastructure, add equipment software and build efficient workforce training, which in return could help increase fashion manufacturing jobs in New York City’s fashion industry.
Remaining recipients include Brooklyn-based factory workshop Atelier Amelia, Garment Center development and production manufacturer In Style USA, sample-making contracting service Mudo Fashion, New York Embroidery Studio, Long Island City-based washhouse Season Wash, and Garment District-based pattern service Werkstatt.
In addition to support from the NYCEDC, FMI is supported by other leading industry partners, including founding partner Andrew Rosen and Theory, the Coach Foundation and Ralph Lauren. Past and current members, including Fashion Institute of Technology and Rag & Bone, were also part of a committee that selected this year’s FMI grant recipients.
“New York City has incredible people and factories that make up its manufacturing ecosystem. FMI is proud to support their innovation and future growth,” said Andrew Rosen, CEO and founder of Theory and a founding partner of FMI. “This year’s recipients are very well deserving and exemplify that spirit.”