DC Fashion Incubator

An Overview

 

The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) and its 501(c)(3) partner, the Washington, DC Fashion Foundation (DCFF) are working to create an institution that will nurture the District’s budding fashion industry so that it can reach its full potential. This institution—the Washington, DC Fashion Incubator—could serve as the cornerstone of the fashion industry in the District, providing affordable studio and apparel production space for designers, fostering cross-pollination among local fashion industry professionals, and offering much needed space and resources for job training and fashion industry workforce development.

As a structured environment for innovation, the Fashion Incubator will offer the District’s fashion designers and industry entrepreneurs opportunities such as:

  • Access to semi-private studio work space, including fashion design and computer equipment;

  • A fashion business resource center that includes information on how to become a designer, start a business, develop and produce a line, sell a line, and other key topics;

  • Seminars and skills training in marketing, public relations, advertising and branding, financing, attraction of local and foreign investors, real estate (understanding process of leasing and property acquisition); trademark, patent and copyright law, licensing of fashion goods, and more;

  • In-house mentoring and consultation to include customized business education in design production, manufacturing and distribution, management, human resources, accounting, public relations, and assistance with accessing retailers;

  • Networking with other residents, outreach members, Fashion Incubator staff and GWFCC/DCFF advisors;

  • Media exposure from magazines, television and industry contacts;

  • Event space; and

  • A designer boutique.

In the long-term, Fashion Incubator aims to play a major role in helping to redevelop a commercial corridor (or corridors) in underutilized areas of Washington, DC through creative use of existing commercial/public space. By graduating local designers and entrepreneurs who are more equipped to handle the creative and financial challenges of the industry, Fashion Incubator aims to help build a new workforce that can contribute to DC’s revitalization efforts by opening boutiques, showrooms, and other small business in neighborhoods throughout the District. Fashion Incubator will promote DC’s fashion industry through signature events including retailer shopping parties and citywide fashion events that showcase talents of resident designers and increase the taxable revenues of DC retailers.

The Model

While researching models for the proposed Incubator, GWFCC went on a fact-finding site visit to the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), the institute that most closely resembles the facility that GWFCC and DCFF strive to create here. Above all, this visit reiterated the impact that fashion incubators can have, not just on individual designers but on the fashion community as a whole. TFI has played a major role in supporting the creative economy in Toronto through job creation. Over the past two decades, TFI has created 10,000 new Canadian jobs, supported over 700 new fashion entrepreneurs each year, and enjoyed a 75% business survival rate for its members after three years, more than double the national average. The DC Fashion Incubator would be in a prime position to provide the same level of value to the Washington, DC creative market.

Next Steps

In order to bring this project from vision to reality, GWFCC and DCFF are working hard to show District government agencies, corporations, and development partners the value that the DC Fashion Incubator could bring to this region. There are community benefits: localized neighborhood revitalization in the area where the Incubator will be located, public access to cultural programming and fashion events, and youth-focused programming to support the cities youngest fashion entrepreneurs. And there are major economic benefits: opportunities for fashion professionals to launch and grow businesses with low overhead, training and business development to help them increase their sales and revenue streams, match-making opportunities to connect designers with buyers and retailers, and job training and workforce development initiatives that create new and fulfilling employment opportunities for District residents.

To achieve this vision and reap these benefits, GWFCC and DCFF need investment and support from the public and private sectors. If you are interested in meeting with us to find out how you can become a part of this exciting project, contact us for more details.

Sample Floorplans