This panel will explore the enduring presence and influence of the legacy businesses that have shaped the Garment District, an HDC 2024 Six to Celebrate neighborhood, for decades. Join designers, business owners, and New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition members as they reflect on the unique heritage of the Garment District, the evolution of craftsmanship, and the challenges and triumphs of sustaining family-run enterprises in a rapidly changing fashion landscape.

Panelists include Katie Sue Nicklos, CEO of Wing and Weft Gloves, a glove manufacturing company with 50+ years of in supplying gloves for theatre, film, fashion communities, and celebrities from Beyonce to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden; Alex Dabagh, owner of ANYBAG | Made by Alex, a company that focuses on leather goods and upcycled bags made from recycled plastic bags; and Pauline Lock, Product Development & Bulk Production Manager for InStyle USA, a 30 + year old full-service design and manufacturing company for both product development and bulk production. Rob Price, a Fashion Accessories Design Consultant, will moderate the panel.

Hear firsthand how these businesses continue to innovate while honoring the traditions that put NYC on the global fashion map. This discussion will address the role of legacy businesses in preserving the district’s identity amidst real estate pressures, globalization, and technological advances. Each panelist will provide a short tour of their studio so attendees can witness a modern, functioning manufacturing shop. Throughout the panel, you will learn how these businesses are adapting to modern demands while staying true to their roots, and discover why their legacy is vital to the future of New York’s Garment District.