By The Numbers
$11B
NYC fashion industry wages
Midtown Made supports and maximizes positive economic impact in New York City’s Garment District through a suite of real estate and industry innovation programs run by New York City Economic Development Corporation.
Midtown Made celebrates the fashion industry—an industry deeply woven into the cultural and economic fabric of New York City. From iconic runways to the historic garment district, NYC has long been a global hub where design, style and creativity come to life. To honor this rich heritage while securing a vibrant future, the industry is faced with new opportunities to embrace innovation leveraging technology, sustainability, and inclusive design to evolve with the times.
By The Numbers
~1K
Fashion businesses in the Garment District
By The Numbers
$3.2B
NYC fashion industry tax revenue
By The Numbers
$11B
NYC fashion industry wages
By The Numbers
~1K
Fashion businesses in the Garment District
By The Numbers
$3.2B
NYC fashion industry tax revenue
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Video Transcript
00:00 [Mi Jong Lee, CEO/Head Designer, Emmelle Design Inc.] My name is Mi Jong Lee, I’m a fashion designer and manufacturer. I have been here for 43 years. In 1982, this was a vibrant, incredibly active district. It was a source of New York City economy. It was source of jobs. It was source of integration of immigration. It was amazing.
00:25 Over the years, what we had to encounter there was the onset of cheap fashion, fast fashion. And the jobs, the manufacturing work all went overseas. And in those three decades, the Garment District shrank and shrank and shrank. Once this disappears, the heritage of New York City will disappear.
00:47 Midtown Made, makes it possible for us to nurture young designers, to nurture brands that are lost. That try to find a way to get their message, get their vision produced. We work with brands that are committed to domestic manufacturing, and we make it happen being collaborating with them, partnering with them and understanding that we have American ingenuity. If anybody can figure out all over the world, well, for damn sure we can figure it out here.
01:21 What I wanted to be was the inspiration, the initiator of Midtown Made. Right now, we’re the vanguard. We are the one that’s holding steady. I am so passionate about revitalizing the Garment District. I mean, this place, I mortgaged my house to be able to do this.
01:45 To have the support of EDC, it means that I’m not alone. And I feel supported. [Music.]
01:53 [NYCEDC logo in white overlaid on a black background.] [Music.]
Emmelle Design, located in New York City’s Garment District, is a previous grantee in the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative, a public-private partnership fund by NYCEDC and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Learn more about the FMI Local Production Fund and the CFDA Production Directory if you’d like to be included or are looking for a manufacturing partner.
Programs for Property Owners and Industry Space Development in the Garment District
Greenlight Innovation Fund
The Greenlight Innovation Fund offers City Capital funding starting at $3 million to support projects that acquire, renovate, or equip space for uses such as apparel production innovation, workforce training, business accelerators, shared workspaces, and other fashion-related innovation infrastructure and programs. Multiple awards are available through the Fund and Proposals that align with the Fund’s policy goals, such as supporting industry clusters, promoting economic resilience, and enhancing neighborhood vibrancy.
M-CORE
The Manhattan Commercial Revitalization (M-CORE) program provides financial assistance for transformative renovations of office buildings. This program can benefit qualifying properties in the Garment District and aims to attract world-class tenant companies (like fashion brands and/or businesses along the value chain of the fashion industry) and/or operators of incubators and accelerators for high-growth industries focused on creating innovation spaces for sectors like fashion design and advanced garment manufacturing.
Programs for Founders, Industry, and Ecosystem Partners
Founder Fellowship
NYCEDC’s Founder Fellowship improves access to capital and networks for underrepresented founders across all tech-enabled sectors. Each year, the Fellowship supports a diverse community of New York City startups with resources to help them grow their companies in partnership with program operators. Applications for the 2026 Founder Fellowship are closed. Sign up to get notified when applications open for the 2027 cohort.
Startup & Venture Capital Internship Program
NYCEDC’s Startup and Venture Capital Internships Program focuses on providing students’ access to paid internships, professional development and mentorship in NYC’s startup and VC industry. Fashion tech can help build a pipeline of talent into their industry by serving as host company and add capacity to their team or serve as a mentor to students in the program.
MSMX Rezoning Commitments
Keep up to date on the commitments made during the MSMX rezoning through the NYC Rezoning Commitments Tracker.
Contact Our Team
We are committed to working with our community to develop solutions that meet your needs. If you work in the Garment District or have a fashion or garment business —we want to hear from you. Please contact us today to ask any questions about this initiative; raise an idea; or set up an informal, introductory call.
Get in Touch
Learn more and get in touch to navigate Midtown Made programs.
Project Partners
