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What great artist doesn’t have worries about the rent? Now The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has ensured that 12 talented designers can have peace of mind while they concentrate on their exciting creations and less reason to worry about skyrocketing New York City rent. The 12 lucky designers will inhabit the Fashion Incubator on the Fourth Floor of 209 W. 38th Street in the historic Garment District, and will pay only $1,500, which is actually half the going rate for an 800-1,000 square foot studio in Manhattan. The lease is given to each designer for two years.
Eclectic and trendy Subversive Jewelry creator Justin Guinta was awarded a place at Fashion Incubator as well as Demi Moore favorite Prabal Gurung and Michelle Obama’s designer-of-choice Sophie Theallet. Also heading the list were Rachel Dooley of Gemma Redux, Grant Krajecki of Grey Ant, Woris Ahluwalia of House of Woris, Joel Diaz of Jolibe, Alison Lewis of Lewis, Yuvi Alpert and Danna Kobo of Ruby Kobo. Menswear designers Dao-Yi-Chow and Maxwell Osbourne of Public School will also claim their places in the Fashion Incubator.
CFDA Fashion Incubator in NYC
Picture and Logo Credit: CFDA Fashion Incubator Facebook Pages
http://www.facebook.com/CouncilofFashionDesignersofAmerica/
The fashion incubator is a project unveiled by Mayor Bloomberg to stimulate industry in New York City and help resuscitate the historic garment district from the decline it has suffered in recent years. The 12 designers chosen will share the 10,000 square foot space. The city’s Economic Development Corporation along with the CFDA is funding the project which promotes artistic innovation as well as business. The competition was stiff and those entering were required to have been in business for a year and a half with orders from top retailers to establish their potential. In addition, all those who entered had to prove they had the support and the staff.
With new opportunities to create and time that can be devoted to inspiration rather than calculating bills, we await the exciting trends and designs that will hatch out of the fashion incubator. Fashion fans already decked out with Justin Giunta’s asymmetrical necklaces for his Deviated by Justin Giunta Collection or pirate treasure jewelry may find new treasures constructed from startling new material combinations and surreal concepts. Sophie Theallet’s Bohemian Luxe may take on a new dimension.
