About

BIO:

Mimi began her career after studying aparel design at Fashion Institute of Technology, creating costumes as an undergraduate for Washington University's theater productions, and working for a variety of successful New York City fashion companies. She has been working with private clients for twenty years, and also owns and manages www.findadressmaker.com, as well as www.shopthegarmentdistrict.blogspot.com.

Why I created Shop the Garment District

This page was started by Meg some years ago, and has since been maintained by Mimi Jackson ( May 2012 to present).  The reasons Meg started this blog are listed below, and the reason it continues is because I (Mimi) am also PASSIONATE about this industry, these businesses, the constant changes to the district, and the endless exploration of creativity in clothing and other sewn items.  Meg has since moved onward and upward to work for the company who now owns Butterick/Vogue/McCall's and many other pattern companies (CSS Industries)

According to Meg:

"There are two reasons. One, I love NYC's Garment District. It may look gritty and dated on the outside, but for people who love to sew and create, shopping here for fabric and trims is the equivalent of a kid's first trip to Disneyworld. Not even the sewing shops of Paris can compare with what we have in midtown New York.

But unless you are a New Yorker, you may not be aware that these stores, shops, services and businesses of the Garment District (also known as the Fashion Center, Fashion District and Garment Center) are in danger of being forced out due to escalating rents and easing of the zoning laws that protect apparel businesses. It's true: Yet another institution of the Garment District filed for bankruptcy just last month (09/10). You can help by shopping here whenever possible or by patronizing the online stores that many Garment District merchants have recently created.

Two, as much as I love the Garment District, I know it can be confusing and overwhelming if you aren't familiar with it like I am. (I happen to work at an office located on the periphery of the Garment District, so I frequently pop over there on my lunch breaks.) I decided to become a subject matter expert on Garment District shopping so I could help fellow sewing friends make the most of their shopping trips here. My store reviews, map and tips on the Garment District at my other blog (where I write about my adventures in fashion sewing) have been so popular that I thought it was time to create a site dedicated to the features of the Garment District that appeal to people who sew and other creative types." - Meg



Shop the Garment District is still ann ever-evolving work-in-progress. While plans for it are still evolving years later, I welcome your input as to how I can make this site a destination for those who love to shop and sell in NYC's Garment District and contribute to the beautiful things made from the goods offered here.  If there's one thing we all know; every day we are alive, we will all still need to get dressed, and will want to express ourselves creatively while doing it. Please feel free to email me at dressmakermimi [at] gmail dot com with suggestions and comments. —Mimi

Additional points: 









  • Other than tours, and "thank you gifts" (always after the fact!) from great District friends, I have not received any compensation for writing or sharing this content.  I do this as a hobby related to my profession/field of expertise.
  • The opinions in this blog are my own.  I will gladly accept all constructive criticism, additional education/points of view and other researched sources for consideration.  
  • I have no official connection to the products that are mentioned in these posts.
  • I have posted “shared” and “curated” content and have tried to offer attribution in all cases where this was possible/relevant.  If I have inadvertently posted anything which requires consent, please let me know and I will remove or seek consent immediately.