Fashion District History Walking Tour

An exciting, entertaining history of the New York City Garment Center.  Follow the growth of the fashion industry from its very beginnings in 1624 NYC right up to the present, and beyond.  Topics include: Immigrants and their impact in the fashion district — I.M. Singer and his sewing machine — the Fashion Walk of Fame — Mood Fabrics - familiar to “Project Runway” fans.  Visit a showroom, a factory and significant fashion area artwork. Your tour guide is a 35-year veteran of the garment center! Tip: Bring cash for possible showroom sales!

DURATION: 2 - 2.5 hours

Over the years I have entertained and instructed many groups of fashion interested adults and students from organizations and schools across the USA and Canada.

The tour that I will do is about 2 hours in duration and contains most of the following:
1. The history of the apparel industry in NYC from Henry Hudson to the present and a forecast into the future.
2. Some significant events in the evolution of the industry: Mass Production, The sewing machine, the development of ‘sizes’, the invention of synthetic fibers and the impact thereof, and the evolution of “Fashion.”
3. The immigrant labor force that has driven the apparel industry from its beginning, and how it has changed yet stayed the same over the years.
4. During the course of the tour we will make visits to most of the following locations depending on availability:
a. A showroom, where I may be able to get an intern to explain how (s)he got the job, what is required on the job and what their goals are. Perhaps a sample sale as well.
b. A factory where garments are spread and cut prior to sewing.
c. A visit to some meaningful garment center artwork.
d. Visit the location where Calvin, Donna Ralph and Oscar have their workspace.
e. A visit to Mood Fabrics, familiar to “Project Runway” fans.
f. A walk through the historic streets of the fashion district.
g. The Fashion Walk of Fame
h. And much more.

I myself, have spent over 35 years in the industry in many different capacities and am able to share interesting anecdotes that I have witnessed first hand, such as the evolution of Children’s Flammable Sleepwear & how garments are designed costed produced, marketed, financed and more.

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