An Afternoon in the Garment District
When you hear “Garment District,” you think high-end fashion, lights, cameras, and the height of sophistication and trendiness. But what really goes on in this neighborhood? Follow me as I go on an afternoon adventure to find out.
If you’re anyone who’s anyone, you’ve probably heard of the Garment District — the one and only fast-paced fashion mecca of New York City. I’ve always assumed that it’s simply a glamorized whirlwind of cool designer clothing and people who are way trendier than I am, but I knew there had to be more. Due to my lack of sartorial skills, I decided to roll up my raglan sleeves and make myself an expert on this stylish neighborhood.
FIT Museum
My catwalk through the Garment District began at the southern border of the neighborhood with a trip to the most iconic fashion school in all of New York City — the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Little did I know that this school is also home to a (FREE!) museum that features award-winning special exhibitions put on by famous designers. I caught the Lauren Bacall: The Look, Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s, and Faking It: Originals, Copies, and Counterfeits exhibits and got to see some really beautiful and iconic pieces from the industry’s storied history in New York and abroad.
Mood Fabrics
After riding up to the 3rd floor on a liftman-operated elevator, two antique doors opened to unveil countless aisles of the most interesting fabrics, furs, and any kind of fashionable thingamabob you could ever imagine. I spoke with a store associate who told me that Mood Fabrics’ claim to fame is providing the fabric used on Project Runway — so cool!
I got lost wandering around two enormous floors for what seemed like forever, and I still didn’t even see a fraction of everything that this store had to offer. I can’t even imagine how long an aspiring fashionista would be able to spend in this glorious castle of design.
Lila Madison
I decided it was time to get the inside scoop from one of the neighborhood’s actual clothing stores, so I stopped by a prime evening gown boutique in the heart of the Garment District called Lila Madison. I took a look around to drool over all the beautifully ornate gowns inside, and I got to have a quick chat with the owner as well. After spending four years in the Garment District, he says that he loves the neighborhood because “it’s exciting — there’s always a lot of change (in fashion) and we’re always trying to keep up with it.”
As far as this reporter is concerned, they’re doing a pretty good job of it. Next time I need a swanky cocktail dress, I’ll know exactly where to go.
Melinda Buie
I walked down the sidewalk, riding the fringes of the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan, and found an unglamorous building, marked with the address that my itinerary was telling me to look for. I took the elevator to the 12th floor and found a square hallway lined with plain white walls and doors painted in bright primary colors. It seemed like the hallway of private artist studios. I double-checked my list of addresses — could this really be the right location? Sure enough, I timidly knocked on the door and was greeted by the warm smile of native Texan Melinda Buie.
Buie kindly welcomed me inside, offered me something to drink, and invited me to pull up a chair and have a conversation inside her cozy little studio, which overlooked the gorgeous glow of the Manhattan buildings below. She explained to me that, when she moved to NYC after leaving college in Austin, she began to paint cows out of nostalgia for her hometown back in Texas. Much to her surprise, the paintings quickly became a hit.
As I gazed around the room at the countless, colorful, geometric paintings of cows, I began to feel inspired by her personal story, how she has been able to build her own rural home within the Big Apple. New York City is home to millions, but few are able to leave their mark on this gigantic home the way that Buie has.
Midtown Comics
Being the girly girl that I am, I never really pictured myself being excited by two floors full of comic books and plastic figurines, but I must say that Midtown Comics definitely managed to win me over. This world-famous comic book store felt like an entirely different planet tucked away just above the bustling sidewalk of the Garment District. Inside, I spoke with one of the sales associates, who told me story after story about the regulars, tourists, and even celebrities that often frequent the store.
He was gleaming with pride in the obsessive fanhood that keeps this charming little corner of Manhattan alive and well, and it was so darn cute!
The Skylark
When you start feeling the “drop” in “shop til you drop,” there’s only one sensible thing you can do: grab a cocktail at a sky-high rooftop bar. I decided to treat myself to a little happy hour cocktail while lounging on a luxurious sofa 30 stories in the air, surrounded by what felt like every single building in Manhattan.
The famous Skylark rooftop bar is the place of choice for many A-list celebrities, and deservedly so — $18 got me a devilishly delicious “Skylark” cocktail, a jaw-dropping view of the Empire State Building, and even special access to the rooftop, which is usually closed during the winter months. Getting a little V.I.P. treatment is never a bad thing!
The Garment District
As soon as the elevator doors opened and I stepped back onto street level, a feeling of accomplishment suddenly hit me (or was it the gin?). I felt a lot like a rock star, carrying handfuls of bags from my day’s dazzling shopping excursion and casually exiting a swanky rooftop hotspot. My bags had been filled, my mind had been stirred, and my disposition had been lightened — I know now that the Garment District truly is a diverse, charming, and thrilling neighborhood.
