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I Wear New York is a community of New York Fashion industry professionals who want to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a thriving garment industry in New York City.

For over a century, New York City’s Garment Center has been considered the heart of the international fashion industry in both design and manufacturing. However in recent years New York City as well as the states other production resources have been forced to compete with cut-rate manufacturing and production prices from overseas rivals. These American factories and companies are now finding themselves in danger of extinction within the global market. New York City is home to established corporations as well as emerging designers and businesses that together hope to preserve domestic fashion brands and jobs. “I Wear New York” is a developing campaign to reverse this decline and revitalize New York City’s Garment Center. Our mission is to raise awareness the gravity of this issue and gain national support in maintaining a thriving fashion industry in New York City.

Why Wear New York?

Proximity To Market:
                    New York houses small production facilities (including pattern/sample making) that allow accessibility
                    for designers who cannot afford to travel to the Orient. These emerging designers often develop their
                    businesses while working for another apparel company.

Small Production Runs:
The vast majority of New York’s suppliers are willing to work with emerging designers on small production runs. This is made possible with the help of numerous small production shops and fabric and trim retailers and wholesalers in the area. Our business is built on a procedure of selling followed by buying, which makes inventory problems the number one issue of emerging apparel businesses. The Garment Center facilitates small production runs and allows emerging designers to grow into nationally recognized brands.

Quality:
Local production is often identified with apparel from the top of the market in terms of price points and quality. New York still retains technical superiority in needle capabilities that make our products appealing to global customers in Japan and Europe. The Garment Center has employed and lost many talented industry veterans. The Garment Center still serves as the last outpost for these skilled workers. By expanding on these capabilities we can promote high end sustainable businesses that have export potential.

Speed to market:
                    The current industry standards for branded product development and production cycles typically take
                    six months to a year when importing offshore. Local production cycles vary from two weeks to a few
                    months. Local manufacturers also promptly expedite the monetary needs of emerging apparel
                    businesses. They also allow designers to work close to the market, which allows them to quickly react
                    to changing tastes as well as reorders.

Social Responsibility:
                    Working in New York allows designers and apparel businesses alike to oversee their production at the
                   factory. This significantly reduces the potential for illegal labor practices that we in countless factories
                    around the world.