-Amanda Robertson, Fashion Institute of Technology, BFA Fashion Design May 2012 shown here with Charlie No, Parsons student and Nanette Lepore.
This post was written by Amanda Robertson, show above.
Growing up, I was always interested in fashion and design. I remember my grandmother telling me about this section of New York called the “Garment District” where the streets were lined with stores where you could find any type of fabric, button, and trim imaginable. This sounded too good to be true! Little did I know that the Garment District would become a huge part of my life.
I began studying fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in August of 2008 and now— can’t believe how time has flown by— I am a third of the way through my senior year. During my time at FIT, not one week went by where I didn’t go to the Garment District for something. Whether it be sourcing swatches for a project, or getting sewing, draping, or patternmaking supplies, I became a frequent visitor to the Garment District.
I began to realize that the district was in some sort of trouble during my first summer interning. I had to run an errand to Elegant Fabrics, and as I was checking out, they asked me to sign a petition because rezoning issues and an increase in rent were threatening their business. Then, in the FIT dorms, I remember seeing a “Save the Garment Center” sticker on one of my friend’s doors. I didn’t fully understand why the Garment District was in trouble, but I knew I didn’t want to see it go.
Then, in 2010, I became involved with the Save the Garment Center Organization. I was handing out flyers to students on campus notifying them of the STGC rally, and most of them had no idea that it was in jeopardy. They were all shocked and said they wanted to show their support.
The Garment District is not only important for students. It is an irreplaceable resource for New York designers and part of what makes New York the great city that it is. No other fashion capital in the world has what we have here. The Garment Center is a staple for established, new, and up-and-coming New York designers. Being able to have samples made here is an incredible resource—as is being able to source the materials to make those garments. I hope to see established designers strengthen and maintain a production presence here, otherwise there will be no factories or suppliers around to help launch the careers of America’s future designers.
As I am about to enter the industry, I hope to see more of the “Made In NYC” label. I also hope to always have the luxury of running to the Garment District to get that last-minute buttonhole made, or to pick up that extra yard of fabric.
Save the Garment Center!
