Made in NYC apparel could see a boost thanks to a new infusion of funding.
The sixth round of Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) Grant Fund recipients, will distribute $730,000 to 12 companies to carry Made in NYC forward. The improvements made possible by the FMI grants will offer designers advanced services to preserve manufacturing jobs in the city’s fashion industry.
The grant is awarded by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in partnership with New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). This marks the largest investment yet in FMI, a public-private grant program designed to support New York City manufacturing and the highest number of recipients in a single year since its 2013 launch. The program has now given out grants of nearly $3.5 million to 33 local manufacturers.
The dozen firms, including eight first-time recipients, will use their grants for equipment and software, infrastructure upgrades, capital improvements, relocation costs and workforce training to help promote business growth.
The 2018 FMI Grant Fund recipients include eight companies based in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn and two in Queens.
Located in or near the Garment Center in Midtown Manhattan are Atelier Amelia, a development and production manufacturer; Button Down Factory, a full-service garment development and production manufacturer; Create-A-Marker, a computerized grading and marking service; Geri Gerard, a design atelier that specializes in product development; New York Embroidery Studio, a full-service textile manipulation and development studio; Park Avenue Trimming, a factory that provides leather trims, components, braiding, stripping, weaving, development and full-scale production, SN Productions, which offers apparel consulting services for the entire lifecycle of the garment, and Timberlake Studios, which builds custom costumes and provides alterations on garments for theatrical productions, the film and TV industries.
Based in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood are Hertling, a trouser manufacturer that specializes in small batch production and customization, and Tailored Industry, a luxury knitwear manufacturer that focuses on whole garment 3-D knitting.
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In Queens, there’s Not Just Lace, a dye and wash house in Long Island City, and Rainbow Leather, a College Point-based facility that specializes in digital and sublimation printing, embossing and perforating on leather, cork and fabric.
“We are proud to see the largest investment yet in the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative’s six-year history,” Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA, said. “By investing in local manufacturing, we are supporting the fashion industry at-large and we will continue to expand our programming to build a viable production sector in New York City.”
In addition to the FMI Grant Fund, FMI currently includes a full Production Directory to help better connect designers with high-quality and reliable local manufacturers, including all FMI grant recipients. The program also features industry networking events, collaborative partnerships and business development opportunities for manufacturers and designers.
“Providing grant assistance for upgrades and expansion costs is key to ensuring that the garment manufacturing industry stays strong in New York,” James Patchett, NYCEDC president and CEO, added.
Along with the support from NYCEDC, FMI is supported by founding partner Andrew Rosen and Theory, and premier underwriters Ralph Lauren and the Coach Foundation.