Unraveled... experience it vicariously here.

Go, if you can.  It is wonderfully done.

Museum at FIT

227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001

Know the hours.  The exhibit is free.

On now until Nov 17, 2018

Fabrics & Fabrics

Space. Size. Variety. COLOR!!!

If you are a real-life tactile shopper, this is a place for you.  If you love color, this is the place for you.  If you shop with friends, wanna make a bit of a ruckus, and wanna make it a shopping party, this is the place for you. Many price ranges.  Don't be afraid to ask, but don't challenge the answer, either!

Very helpful staff, great inspirational photos, showing how fabric was used by designers. Really creatively inspiring display and organization.

Prepare to be overwhelmed. Have time to spend. Buy it when you see it, because it will likely be gone when you come back. (Ask me how I know...)

Great for lace, standard and unusual formalwear fabrics, luxurious home dec, antique bridal trims, interesting novelty fabrics, silk prints, brocades, a boatload of wonderful coat and winterwear fabrics.

Fabrics & Fabrics

270 W 38th St 3rd fl

New York, NY 10018

M-F 9AM-6PM

https://fabrics-fabrics.com/

More than just a button...

When Oscar De La Renta needed some custom buttons to match Meghan Markle's mom's dress for the wedding, who did they call?

When the Broadway hit "Hamilton" needed bold buttons for their costumes, who did they call?

When a designer needs a button MADE, by a person who knows how to execute their idea, who do they call?

...

...

Lou Lou Buttons!

Not your everyday button store.  There is a lot of knowledge in this shop - about button making, button history, garment district and industry information, AND NYC real estate knowledge.  Why?!!!?!!!?  Go there yourself, speak to the owner (who is usually about), and you'll learn why.  It will be one of the most interesting conversations you'll have all day.  Trust me.

That is all I can say.

So long, 40th Street...

This story can be told with a sad, wistful look at the past of a booming NY district, or it can be told with an optimistic look into the future.  In this post, I will take the optimistic view...

The last retail fabric store of 40th Street is moving

On a quick trip to the garment district on Saturday, I learned that the LAST retail fabric store on that street (between 7th and 8th Aves) is moving. Whoa.  Thrown by this news, I moaned about it being the end of an era... blah, blah, blah...

Yes.  I am talking about NY Elegant Fabrics.  That massive store on 40th Street with all of the delicious fabric eye candy in the windows.  Oh no!!!!

But wait... not CLOSING... MOVING. New location to be announced very soon!

We can't deny that this is a sad moment for this iconic block in the district.  This street once featured such district heavyweights as Rosen and Chadick, Lace Star (which is now Fabrics & Fabrics), and Sposabella... sigh....

But where are they now?  

Oh wait... They have all MOVED!

And life has gone on.  And it will continue to.  We've gotta be grownups about this. What is important, is that we know where to find theses stores now.  Then, GO to those places, SHOP, and SUPPORT these businesses to help them continue well into the future.

Deal?

And, by the way, here's a link I must share.  It helped me to see that this is nothing new... it is just a continuation of a long, inevitable change of the industry and the businesses the district can support in a brick and mortar environment.  We can still shop online when possible and appropriate, and explore new locations, even mounting elevators when necessary!