Garment District and Fashion Center

The Garment District, also called the Fashion District or Fashion Center, is home to many of the world's most famous fashion designers. The area is an amazing resource for fabrics, beads and trims, however, don't expect to walk in off the street to Donna Karan or Calvin Klein's showroom or sample sales. The best way to possibly get access to private showroom is through a private tour, otherwise, make sure to check NYC sample sales while you're in town.

Things to Do

Fashion Walk of Fame (38th- 40th along 7th Ave) – 26 plaques (much like a Hollywood Star) honoring some of fashions’ great designers.

Parsons School of Design (40th St/7th Ave, West side) - as seen on Project Runway and Tim Gunn was Chair of Fashion Design. Prior students include Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, and Tom Ford.

Garment District Kiosk (39th St & 7th Ave) – pick up some brochures, maps and coupons.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Museum (27th Street, 7th Ave) – Free to visit and they do a lovely job of providing entertaining and educational exhibits highlighting fashion as it relates to history, politics and culture. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.

Recommended Restaurants

MacarOn Café (161 W 36th St) – Parisian and organic café, a local fashion designer favorite for lunch.

Antique Café (234 W 27th St, 7th/8th Aves) – cute, inexpensive salad, soup and coffee shop with nice outdoor garden.

Shopping

Mood Fabrics (225 W 37th St, Suite 3, 7th/8th Aves) – 25,000 square feet of fabric. THE place to go in NYC for fine designer fabrics.

Bead District (37th St/ 6th Ave) - beads, beads, and more beads. Most of the bead stores on and around 6th & 37th are open to the public and stocked to the brim with bright, brilliant and glittering gems, accessories, and trinkets.

Trimmings Stores (37th to 39th Sts, 7th to 8th Aves) – dozens of buttons, laces, leather, along with additional fabric stores.