NYC Mayor’s Fund, CFDA and NYCEDC launch Fashion Forward initiative

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Mar 15, 2016

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the CFDA announced Monday the launch of the NYC Fashion Forward initiative, a public-private partnership to create unique early work exposure and experiences for young people through specialized paid internships.

 
NYC Fashion Forward, which is part of the Made in NY fashion initiative, will connect 100 New York City high school and undergraduate college students to internships with fashion companies across the city during the summer of 2016. The NYCEDC will financially back 60 summer jobs that will offer real world training and mentorship.
 
“Most fashion careers start with the internship, which offers valuable insights into the industry,” said Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA. “By partnering with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the CFDA can provide high school students and college undergraduates with the opportunity to become tomorrow’s fashion leaders.”

Twenty-two fashion companies have signed on to support the initiative including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice + Olivia, CFDA, Coach, David Wolfson & Associates, Inc., Design Incubator Inc., Designers & Agents, Diane von Furstenberg, J. Crew, Haskell Jewels LLC, K/LLER Collection, Kate Spade, Krupp Group, Lulu Frost, Maison De Mode, Melissa Joy Manning, New York Embroidery Studio, Nicholas K, Opening Ceremony, Rachel Comey, Timo Weiland and Tommy Hilfiger.
 
The students who will participate in the initiative will be selected from the NYC Ladders for Leaders program, a nationally recognized employment program of the NYC Department for Youth and Community Development. This year’s program will begin in July 2016 and will last for six weeks with students working approximately 25 hours per week.