"Designers Who Keep It Local"

Thread NY, the fashion blog of NBC 4 here in NYC, has a slideshow on 11 designers who "keep it local" and use the resources of the Garment District whenever possible. Click here to see the sideshow, and happy Fourth of July everyone! Keep it local!

Another Nifty Trim Store: Shindo on W. 36th

Address: 162 W. 36th Street, New York, NYC (between Broadway and Seventh)
Phone: 212-868-9311
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; closed weekends
Online store: n/a
Best for: All sorts of trims for sportswear

If you sew a lot of sportswear you should definitely schedule a trip to Shindo on W. 36th Street in the Garment District. They have the best selection of sportswear applications—braids, piping, tape, cord, etc.—that I've seen in NYC. I was also fascinated by their foldover wool braid in a rainbow of colors and super soft; this could add such a sharp finish to fall jackets, sweaters and outerwear. Shindo carries ribbons and lace and other trims as well, but unless you're looking for a specific color you can find these items at lower prices elsewhere in the Garment District. I found the staff to be pleasant and helpful (which is important because no price or content information is displayed), and I always appreciate a well-lit store in this area. Worth checking out.

Soft foldover wool braid in loads of colors.

Extra points for the cool window display! (Mannequins wrapped in ribbon.)

Follow the Garment Girls Around the Garment District This Summer

The Fashion Center BID (Business Improvement District) has three summer interns and they are on a collective mission to learn everything there is to know about New York's Garment District. They call themselves the "Garment Girls" and together they write a blog called "An Intern's Guide to the Garment District," in which they share highlights of the places they explore. So far they've been to Nanette Lepore's design studio, a sample sale on W. 36th, some jewelry and trim places, and Macaron Café. When you need a Garment District fix, visit their blog. (Sadly, I haven't been shopping here much lately, as I am on a mission to sew down my existing stash. But once I start sewing for fall I'll be back again with a vengeance.)

If you aren't familiar with the Fashion Center and its online database of all the businesses located in the Garment District, you should check it out. Looking for wholesale information? This site should be your starting point. People email me every week asking wholesale-related questions and I keep sending them to the Fashion Center. And do follow the Fashion Center on Facebook, because whomever posts for their fan page is funny and excels at writing clever updates. Have a great weekend!

Two First-Timers Take on the Garment District

Kyle of the blog Vacuuming the Lawn at Pacific Trimmings

I love getting emails and comments from readers letting me know how helpful they found the map and information I've posted here on Shop the Garment District. Reader Kyle of Vacuuming the Lawn just blogged about how she and Antoinette of CleverGirl used the STGD map to navigate their way around the Garment District for the first time. I really enjoyed reading Kyle's trip recap here and I think you will too. Well done, girls! Come back soon now, y'hear?

Spend a Weekend Jumpstarting Your Fashion Career

This week's inbox brought news of Fashion Campus NYC, "a new NYC initiative that provides next-generation fashion and retail management talent with exposure to opportunities on the business side of the industry." Parsons will present an intensive weekend workshop on July 15–16, 2011, at its campus in Greenwich Village for students interning this summer in the fashion industry. Parsons alumnus designer Derek Lam will give a keynote address at the event. For more details on this event, click here.

It's a tough call, but if I were a young wannabe fashion professional I'd give up my weekend in the Hamptons for a chance to learn from industry leaders….

ITY Prints at Spandex House, Bargain-Priced

Popped into Spandex House today on W. 39th Street in the Garment District to buy a lining for a knit dress I'm making. I noticed their ITY jersey prints (toward the back on the first floor) are priced $5 to $6 a yard. I believe this is a drop in price, from about $7-8 a yard, but let me know if I'm wrong. At any rate, ITY jerseys are great for cool summer tops and dresses. Check it out….

Pretty Cotton Voiles at Mood Fabrics

I went to the beach this past Memorial Day weekend and, while there, stopped in a beach shop that featured a collection of tunics in colorful voiles. Voile is the perfect fabric for a hot summer day: It's made of natural fibers (cotton or silk) and it's so lightweight it can be almost sheer. Of course I got a hankering to make my own voile tunic, so I headed to Mood Fabrics on W. 37th Street in the Garment District yesterday. They have loads of pretty voiles in beach-appropriate prints. I left with two yards of a preppy green-and-white print. Check it out….