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CFDA, NYCEDC select 12 companies for FMI Grant

28 Apr '19

3 min read

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) have selected 12 companies as recipients of the sixth round of Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) Grant Fund. The round marks the programme’s largest investment yet and the highest number of recipients in a single year since its 2013 launch.

The public-private grant programme was designed to support the local fashion manufacturing sector and its workforce. Twelve companies have been awarded nearly $730K in FMI grants in the latest round.

The companies, including eight first-time recipients, were chosen to receive financial awards to be used for equipment and software, infrastructure upgrades and capital improvements, relocation costs, and workforce training to help promote business growth. The improvements made possible by the FMI grants will offer designers advanced services designed to preserve manufacturing jobs in New York City’s fashion industry.

One of the 2018 FMI Grant Fund recipients is Atelier Amelia, a development and production manufacturer located in the Garment Centre. The atelier offers in-house design services, sourcing, pattern and sample making, as well as production with a focus on swimwear, lingerie, knits and woven; Button Down Factory, garment centre-based full-service garment development and production manufacturer with deep understanding of modern and traditional craftsmanship, is another recipient. Its capabilities also include button hole and goose down services.

Other recipients are Create-A-Marker, the leading computerised grading and marking service, based in the Garment Centre, which guarantees optimum fabric utilisation and cost effectiveness, with the capabilities of scanning patterns, digitising and conversions; Geri Gerard, the design atelier, located in the Garment Centre, which specialises in product development and collaborating with designers and their ateliers on all aspects of their collections, including sample making, patterns and manufacturing; Hertling, a Sunset Park, Brooklyn-based trouser manufacturer serving the NYC and global apparel market since 1925 and under new ownership as of 2016, now marries a strong manufacturing legacy and new standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation; and New York Embroidery Studio, garment centre-based full-service textile manipulation and development studio offering embellishment, trim, embroidery, laser cutting and extensive surface treatments.

Not Just Lace, Park Avenue Trimming, Rainbow Leather, SN Productions, Tailored Industry, and Timberlake Studios are selected recipients of the grant.

In addition to the FMI Grant Fund, FMI currently includes a full Production Directory designed to help better connect designers with high-quality and reliable local manufacturers, including all FMI grant recipients. The programme 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,” said James Patchett, NYCEDC president and CEO. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients. I look forward to their continued contributions to one of New York’s most iconic industries.”

“We are proud to see the largest investment yet in the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative’s six-year history. 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,” said Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA.

Along with the support from NYCEDC, FMI is generously supported by founding partner Andrew Rosen and Theory, premier underwriters Ralph Lauren and the Coach Foundation. Other past and current partners include the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Banana Republic, Barneys New York, Bloomingdales, DHL, Google, Lisa Perry, Macy’s, Pokémon, Premiere Vision, Rag & Bone and SwatchOn. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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