The Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) enters a new phase with a $14 million expansion plan.
In this next phase, the program, created in 2013 by the CFDA and Andrew Rosen in collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), will feature new components including a new pilot grant program titled the Local Production Fund and expanded workforce development programming. They add to existing programming, including the FMI Grant Fund and the Production Directory.
“We designed this comprehensive suite of programming to update our Fashion Manufacturing Initiative as we continue to address the diverse and ever-changing needs of New York City production,” said CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb. “From building pipelines for new client growth to training workers to ensure retention and competitiveness in the workforce, the program will help solidify resources and development across the manufacturer’s entire business.”
The Local Production Fund, available to all New York City-based fashion manufacturers, will encourage U.S. designers to increase their production in New York City by matching them with manufacturers who have received credits to be used for production runs of participating designers.
The Local Production Fund builds off the investment of innovative technology made through the existing FMI Grant Fund and is intended to bolster more use of that technology, as well as build stronger relationships between designers and manufacturers and create more consistent production for NYC manufacturers. Manufacturer applications for the Local Production Fund will open later this fall and designer applications will release during the February 2020 market.
In order to expand training and workforce development opportunities for the next generation of fashion manufacturing businesses and their workforce, the CFDA will partner with the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), a national sewn trades institute, to assess the sector and report on customized programs built for NYC’s workforce needs.
The CFDA and ISAIC will work with local community-based organizations to evaluate the landscape during this assessment and throughout the execution of the programming following the assessment, ensuring there is a talent pipeline with opportunities for technical instruction, on-the-job training through apprenticeships, and advanced technology training. Workforce programs offered in partnership with manufacturers will be available to workers with diverse backgrounds, experience and education.
In 2013, NYCEDC and CFDA launched the FMI’s Grant Fund to provide local production facilities with funding for equipment and technology upgrades, employees skills training, business development consultants, capital improvements to their facilities, and relocation costs in New York City. FMI has also included business development opportunities for grant recipients, such as subsidized industry trade show participation, CFDA designer Open Houses and consumer-focused retail partnerships merchandising NYC designed and made apparel to a global audience. The initiative also seeks to encourage and motivate emerging and established designers to produce in New York City, strengthening the value proposition and consumer demand for locally manufactured products to a U.S.-based and global audience.
FMI is heavily supported by industry leaders including founding partners Andrew Rosen and Ralph Lauren, and the initiative’s newest underwriter Walmart, with additional support from DHL, the CFDA’s official logistics partner, as well as the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Premiere Vision, and SwatchOn, among others.
From 2013 – 2019, the FMI Grant Fund enabled 33 New York City fashion manufacturers, such as Atelier Amelia, Button Down Factory, Hertling, New York Embroidery Studio, Rainbow Leather Inc., and Tailored Industry, to invest in and acquire new machinery and technologies that directly impacted their service offerings, increased clientele, and improved business efficiency. The expansion of FMI seeks to build on the impact and momentum of the past six years with the next round of the FMI Grant Fund as well as additional programming, set to begin in 2020.
For more information on FMI’s expansion and to be in touch with the Fashion Supply Chain team for upcoming applications, please contact supplychain@cfda.com.
