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Mayor de Blasio Is a Friend of the Fashion Industry

By Laura Gurfein
If only he were swearing on the fashion bible: Vogue. Image via <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/01/01/de-blasio-great-things-ahead-for-all-of-us/">CBS</a>
If only he were swearing on the fashion bible: Vogue. Image via CBS

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As Fashion Week kicks off in the Big Apple, new mayor Bill de Blasio is reaffirming his commitment to the city's fashion industry. During a press conference at the CFDA's Fashion Incubator, WWD wrote that the mayor frequently discussed his grandmother's involvement in the industry as an embroiderer.

"My grandmother's efforts, I can honestly say, created ongoing opportunity for our family and is part of the reason I have the honor of speaking before you today," he told the crowd.

"We need to recognize that for all its glamour, and yes there is glamour, the fashion industry is built on the hard work of highly skilled people, thousands and thousands of highly skilled people whose names may not be on the covers of magazines, but who make this industry so great every single day—seamstresses, patternmakers, embroiderers and many others," he continued.

de Blasio appointed Alicia Glen, his deputy mayor for housing and economic development, as his liason to the fashion industry. He emphasized growing businesses across all five boroughs and reiterated his campaign platform of building "one New York."

"The fashion industry is not just a part of our past. It is not just iconic because [of] what it once was. It's iconic because of what it will be. And it is part of how we will build a more unified city and a city where everyone has opportunities," he said.

Diane von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb already have set up meetings with the mayor to discuss further planning later this month. Meanwhile, his wife, Chirlane McCray, "will definitely be out and about" during NYFW, according to a person in the mayor's party. Looks like the job definitely comes with some perks.
· Mayor de Blasio Committed to Fashion Industry [WWD]
· Outfit Creds [Racked NY]