February Fashion Week |NYC

This February Fashion Week was a sourcing trip. The pursuit of textile books, world magazines, fabric, notions, vintage dresses, etc.

After pounding the pavement, I landed in Around The World Bookstore at 148 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018. From academic guides to global magazines, Around The World is an in-and-out-style bookstore.

The most satisfying part of this Fashion Week was Paron Fabrics at 257 W. 39th St., which has been in business since 1940, H.M. Fabrics (next door), and Better Choice Fabrics Inc., at 260 W. 39th St. All three stores were scheduled to close in the days ahead. Learning of their closures after years of business was heartbreaking, but the staff I spoke with were encouraged. I discovered most of them had been sewing for years with enough clients to support them until another opportunity came. One Paron cutter was going to Mood Fabrics, and some were taking time to see what else was out there.

Meeting other creatives who meet the adversity of the fashion world head on is empowering. I did learn from those conversations that landlords who owned the commercial space each store operated out of did not renew their leases because restaurants are the new cash cows.