Initiatives / Garment District
The Museum the Garment District Deserves
The Garment District has long been the beating heart of New York’s creative industry — where artistry, labor, and innovation have intertwined for more than a century. It’s where dreams were cut, stitched, and tailored into the very fabric of American culture. From iconic stage costumes and couture creations to everyday workwear, this neighborhood has shaped the way the world dresses — and it deserves to be memorialized.
A Living Tribute to Craft and Culture
Our vision is to create a museum that celebrates this extraordinary legacy while connecting it to the makers, designers, and storytellers of today. The museum will preserve the spirit of the district — a place born from grit, skill, and collaboration — and make it accessible to new generations. Visitors will explore the history of garment and costume making through immersive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and digital archives that bring the artistry and humanity behind fashion to life.
Honoring the Workers Who Built an Industry
This is more than a story about style — it’s a story about people. The Garment District was the birthplace of the modern labor movement, a hub for thousands of small, family-run businesses and skilled workers who defined American craftsmanship. Our initiative will honor their ingenuity and resilience, telling the stories of the patternmakers, stitchers, tailors, and designers who turned a few blocks of Manhattan into a global center of creativity.
Where History Inspires the Future
As we look ahead, the museum will serve as both a tribute and a catalyst — preserving the past while inspiring the next generation of makers. By connecting yesterday’s artistry to today’s innovation, we aim to ensure that the Garment District’s legacy continues to shape how we design, create, and wear our stories.
A New Landmark for the Makers of Tomorrow
The Midtown Made
Garment Center Innovation Hub
21 Floors of Garment Centered Business
Museum | Small Business | Innovation Hub
We need your help to build a new kind of maker space — one that honors the past, ignites the future, and secures New York City’s rightful place at the heart of garment history.
The Vision
Phase 1: Building Acquisition
Phase 2: Remodel
Phase 3: Innovation Lab and Museum
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For more information on becoming a legacy founding member contact Carisa Kelly, founder of the The ReThread Project at (206)321-4540.
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Illustrations by Chris Muller
“As a person, as a woman, as an actress, I know that the clothes we wear—on the street or the runway, on a stage or on a film set—tell stories about who we are and where we come from and where we dream of going. That’s why I support The ReThread Project and its New York City Garment District initiatives, which will help the district to stay alive and thriving”
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- Greta Lee, Actor & Filmmaker
