WALDORF ASTORIA HOSTS POP-UP TO SUPPORT NY-BASED DESIGNERS

by Stephen Garner

Hotel frontNot Just A Label (NJAL), the largest global network of contemporary designers and curator of fashion talent, is launching its first retail space in New York City, a temporary store at the Waldorf Astoria New York, slated to open December 4 through December 13. Part of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s (NYCEDC) ‘Made in NY’ initiative, the Not Just A Label | Made in NY store will showcase a selection of NYC’s most notable emerging designers, supporting the growth of the local fashion, manufacturing and creative industries.

Backed by the New York City Mayor’s Office, Not Just A Label will utilize a strong global network of designers to support those with a stake in NYC, reinforcing a community that celebrates, supports and sustains entrepreneurship and innovation in fashion.  After more than 250 designer nominations and 1,000 product submissions, NJAL selected 100 local brands and designers to showcase. Reflecting the diversity of styles from Greater New York, notable menswear designers featured in the shop include Cadet, Thaddeus O’Neil, Wesley Berryman and The Transience.  During the ten-day opening the store will offer over 400 products for purchase, from men’s, women’s, jewelry and accessories brands.

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“For decades, New York City has functioned at the center of the fashion universe as an iconic source of talent, creativity, and international influence, however it is often easy for emerging designers to be forgotten,” said Not Just A Label founder and CEO, Stefan Siegel. “Not Just A Label | Made in NY gives even the youngest New York designers an opportunity to realize the dream of showcasing their collections to this incredibly influential city.”

Located at the Park Avenue entrance of the Waldorf (50th and Park Ave) the shop will also include workshops led by industry leaders, educators, influencers and celebrity designers such as CFDA CEO Steven Kolb and People’s Revolution founder Kelly Cutrone, as well as notable members of FIT and Parsons.  The public workshops will be hosted at the Not Just A Label | Made in NY space at 6:00pm each evening from December 7 to December 10, with topics including the future vision of the ‘Made in NY’ initiative, production innovation, fashion education and New York’s  industry development today.