As an Independent designers advocate our role is to ensure the message gets out! However from experience these rules will negate a vital aspect of the NYC landscape... unfortunately till independent designers come together and advocate for inclusion this will continue happening! Resulting in the same generic one sided view of NYC fashion that is often represented.Maybe designers will start getting their business in order and reporting their true earnings.. This was originally posted on our blog and will be posted on all our media channels... we get the word out!.

Indies can "Pop Up" just about anywhere! Too bad the criteria may keep some of the most creative out of the running! We've hosted pop ups at the Brookln Museum, Several Parks, The Federal Plaza, Yatchs, Hotels, Lobbies, gardens, Basements, backyards and back of trucks! Pop- Up is the realm of the independent and are about the "EXPERIENCE". see details below... note September is NYFW, NY Market Week, Fashion Night Out, and a host of other events

Pop Up Stores are best when created from NEED and at the core are , grassroots concepts.

So while I love the city's 2020 initiative it seems designed to exclude the very people it should be helping! $25000?- Many indies with experience in Pop-up, report about $16000 a year!

Winning New York City-based Fashion Retailers and Technology Companies Will Participate in a Rent Free, One-of-a-Kind Month-Long Pop-up Store in September

Just yesterday as I rode thru downtown Brooklyn - Fulton mall, I passed by the site that was AlBSquare Mall, I fondly rermembered "Continuum" a "pop Up store we did circa 1998/9

Pop up Stores are Grassroots...

The inherent nature of a Pop- Up store...

First it was unused or underutilized space- in this case an empty space below the escalators in the lower level of the mall Second it is quickly put together... we had 2 weeks to pull together the designers the concept etc. Hence "Pop up" .There is a unique feel or concept... in this case we pull all the abandoned racks in the mall wrapped them in fabric to create "trees" used baskets.and boxes and created a garde ; the product is unique and not available elsewhere or at an other time.... we dealt exclusively with independent designers- we did a great job, and even sold swimwear that holiday season! You need a unique feature... which we accidentallyl came across and at the same time solved a major truancy problem at the mall! ou needed marketing... we excelled at this! All on a budget of zero.. necessity made for creativity! At the end of the month we had exceeeded expectations and the "space" became "hot spot" ... management had so many offers! So while i'm excited at the city's competition I wish the creatives were able to compete. NYC Fashion needs fresh blood and ideas ad creative independents need help!

NYCEDC and STORY Launch Project Pop-Up NYC Competition

New York, June 28, 2012—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and STORY today launched Project Pop-Up NYC, a competition to promote innovative retail and technology businesses by offering the winners prizes such as a temporary pop-up store, PR/marketing support, and business mentoring. Up to three winning retailers will receive a month-long retail space, beginning around Fashion Week in September 2012 and running through the end of the month within the Chelsea-based retailer STORY, with 100% of sales going to the winning companies. In addition, up to eight winning fashion technology companies will also be given space at STORY to display and promote their products, which can range from apps to enabling technologies and software, for the month of September. In addition, the winning companies will receive a tool kit of business services including, PR and marketing support, mentoring from industry leaders, and exposure at key industry events. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges including fashion designer Norma Kamali; Brandon Holley, Editor-in-Chief, Lucky Magazine; Vanessa von Bismarck, Founder, Bismarck Phillips Communications & Media (BPCM); Andy Dunn, CEO, Bonobos; and Shana Fisher, Managing Partner, High Line Venture Partners.