What is Manufacture New York?

Manufacture New York is a fashion incubator dedicated to providing independent designers with the resources + skills to streamline their production process and transform local manufacturing into the most affordable, innovative option for all. We are also a diverse community of creatives who are already sharing resources + working together to make this project a reality.

The Problem

In the last two decades, the United States has lost 80% of its apparel manufacturing jobs, and the decline of the Garment District in NYC is a visible sign of these crippling losses.There isn’t enough support available for emerging designers in the fashion industry currently. We need to join together as a community of independent fashion creatives, engage the public & use our collective voice to resurrect apparel manufacturing for a new generation. Demand for affordable, consistent local production is high, and yet we continue to lose jobs to overseas factories that are facing worker unrest and a desire for higher wages themselves.

Our Solution

This is a uniquely 21st century problem, so why not develop an unprecedented solution unlike anything else available in the USA? Our headquarters already include a fully-equipped sampling room and classroom space (open to the public), and we are expanding to include comprehensive manufacturing facilities, private studios for rent and a state-of-the art computer lab complete with the industry’s latest software for design + production. We will also offer a dedicated area for experimentation with environmentally-friendly fabric washes, dyeing, finishes and special textile applications. We want to make sure that fashion designers making locally are covered from concept to completion, and that's why we need you to get involved with the project.

Kickstarter Goal

If we achieve our goal of raising $50,000 on Kickstarter by Black Friday (November 23rd, 2012), it will allow us to help at least 100 independent fashion designers in our first year alone.

The funds from this Kickstarter campaign will go directly to materials, resources + equipment so participating designers can join Manufacture New York, create their latest collections and present them to buyers at New York Fashion Week in September 2013. We are dedicated to making this shared vision a reality, but we simply cannot do it without your help!

Do you love helping small businesses? Do you love fashion + innovative design? Do you think its essential that we bring jobs back to our local communities? The donate whatever you can, and help us MOVE THE INDUSTRY FORWARD today.

Who We Are

Bob Bland, Founder + Director

A Brooklyn-based fashion designer, entrepreneur and community art advocate. Her brand, Brooklyn Royalty, was founded in 2006.  Also a professional apparel + graphic designer with previous experience at Marc by Marc Jacobs, Triple Five Soul, Rugby by Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Banana Republic. Starting + running indie startup businesses is not new to Bob, she also created The Arsenal, an all-inclusive cultural event space and Kingdom, NYC's first bar + boutique stocking all USA-made products from local designers.

Kaci Head, Co-Director + Partner

The designer behind Apartment 4B, an innovative boutique label specializing in quality leather accessories + Brooklyn Fashion League, a studio space to support, inspire and promote independent fashion designers, stylists and photographers through community and collaboration.

Gina Tron, PR Director

Vanessa Londono, Video Producer

Bryce Payne, Manager

Jeff Ramos, Social Media Consultant

Kickstarter Credits 

Shooting a video that captured the variety of challenges that designers face  was challenging, and we would be nowhere without the invaluable support of the following people + places:

Location Credits

Many thanks to 61 Local + Brooklyn Fashion League for providing our primary shooting locations. Beautiful spaces, great people!

Video Credits

Vanessa Londono (Producer, Camera, Editor)

Ed Mundy (Motion Graphics)

Pete Roessler (Lighting, Assistant Camera)

Music 

“Unborn (Bright Futures Remix)” by Food Stamps + Bright Future (Brooklyn, NY)

Designer Credits

Buffi Jashanmal, Project Runway Season 10

Jayson Ramos, The Craftmen

Kaci Head, Apartment 4B + Brooklyn Fashion League

Natalya Gorova

Ronnie Yoked, MalcaBK

Bob Bland, Brooklyn Royalty

Photography 

Pete Roessler of Shoot Me Peter

Darryl Calmese of Art-X Photography

Rick Louis of Ricardo Louis Photography

Thank you for helping us make our Kickstarter campaign — not to mention the world’s introduction to Manufacture New York- a success that we can use to implement + inspire other cities. We look forward to continued public discourse + collaboration as we forge a progressive, designer-lead path to the future of fashion.