DECEMBER 26, 2013 (New York, NY)    NYC fashion incubator & small run production facility, Manufacture New York (MNY), unveiled their New York Fashion Week plans today by officially announcing a partnership with professional photography, video and consumer electronics retailer Adorama in Midtown Manhattan. From January 23rd - February 16th, 2014, MNY will host the next generation of NYC apparel & accessory designers in a ground level 5,000 sq ft integrated showroom, retail and event space concept known as MNY 55, located at 55 West 17th Street.

"Fashion Week is one of the most pivotal events in New York that makes our city truly iconic; we're very excited to be a part of it," states Anne Cahill, Professional Markets Director, Adorama. "As a Manufacture New York sponsor, we have the unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the most creative minds in the industry. From providing the space they need to produce these innovative events to supporting professional photographers and videographers, we're thrilled to play a role in the evolution of New York Fashion Week with an organization that is helping to change the landscape of this fascinating industry."

LAUNCH NYC, an 8 day fashion week debuting from February 5th - 12th, will feature an innovative, state-of-the art runway experience combined with luxurious retail and wholesale opportunities. Fashion labels will show their latest collection to press, buyers, customers, VIPs and a ticketed public audience. At the same time, they can also present sales samples of their latest FW14 collection in the adjacent showroom for buyers & press to view privately by appointment. In the retail store, their current collection of clothes, accessories and jewelry will be available for sale directly to the public after the runway show and throughout NYFW.

Abby Hessney, Adorama's Marketing Manager of Professional Video adds, "At Adorama, we aim to do more than just sell or rent equipment, building relationships is key to who we are; teaming up with cutting-edge industry players such as Manufacture New York is of the utmost importance to our business. We are so glad to offer support for professional photographers and videographers during New York Fashion Week, helping to keep events dedicated to art and exploring a variety of creative mediums in motion."

LAUNCH NYC brings together a wide array of veteran industry talent, helmed by Charles Beckwith, Executive Director of MNY’s Fashion Media Center and modaCYCLE founder. "For years, people have been trying to make incremental steps toward improving how New York Fashion Week functions for designers, buyers, press, and consumers. This new model is a leap forward into a far more balanced and logical approach, where designers can address consumers, wholesale buyers, and press all under one roof, and responsible local producers are given the prominence they are due. I am extremely excited about what we are doing here, and think it represents a path all the serious show venues will soon need to follow. It is amazing to me that no one has done this before,” says Mr. Beckwith. He is joined by Art Director Staley Cook, who believes that "Fashion Week in NYC must see a return to the artistry and designer focused roots that empowered its inception in new, accessible ways. That is why LAUNCH has developed, to create a more open and supportive opportunity to designers that will bring sustainable fashion jobs back to New York."

For interview requests, please contact Bob Bland, CEO + Founder of Manufacture New York at or . For space viewings or event rental inquiries, please contact Ron Wallace at or .

 

Press Contact:

Steven Capozzola

Media Consultant, MNY

Mobile:

About Manufacture New York: MNY is a hybrid fashion incubator and factory dedicated to providing independent fashion designers with the resources and skills to streamline their process, from concept to customer. We are driving the transformation of local manufacturing, so it can be the most affordable and innovative option for all. Our Garment Center Pilot Program is located at 23 West 36th Street in Midtown, and a flagship 160,000 sq ft Brooklyn Fashion Manufacturing Center is underway at Liberty View Industrial Plaza in Sunset Park. We anticipate serving hundreds of NYC fashion designers and manufacturers in 2014, creating over 280 new jobs and $60 million in local economic impact. Our mission is to reawaken and rebuild America’s fashion industry, foster the next wave of businesses, and create a transparent, sustainable global supply chain. https://manufactureny.org

About Adorama: Serving customers for more than 30 years, Adorama has grown from its flagship NYC store to include the leading online destination for photography, video and consumer electronics. Adorama's vast product offerings encompass home entertainment, mobile computing, and professional video and audio, while its services include an in-house photo lab, AdoramaPix, pro equipment rental at Adorama Rental Company and the award-winning Adorama Learning Center, which offers free education for photographers in video channels such as the popular AdoramaTV. http://www.adorama.com