ABOVE 250 PEOPLE ATTENDED THIS YEAR'S FASHION WALK OF FAME INDUCTIONS CEREMONY AT THE BRYANT PARK HOTEL. 2001 FASHION WALK OF FAME INDUCTIONS CEREMONY On Wednesday, July 18th, designer honorees Pauline Trigere and James Galanos joined the FCBID, press and guests at the new Bryant Park Hotel for the 2001 Fashion Walk of Fame inductions ceremony. Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Bonnie Cashin, Giorgio di Sant’Angelo, Charles James and Anne Klein were also honored at this year’s event. FCBID Executive Director, Barbara Blair Randall, began the formal festivities by noting that the Fashion Walk of Fame is the only permanent landmark that celebrates American fashion.

Valerie Steele, Chair of the Fashion Walk of Fame Selections Committee and Chief Curator & Acting Director of the Museum at FIT, then presided over the unveilings of the eight commemorative plaques honoring the 2001 Inductees.

ABOVE IRIS CANTOR PRESENTS JAMES GALANOS WITH A CRYSTAL REPLICA OF HIS FASHION WALK OF FAME PLAQUE.

Novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford paid tribute to her good friend Pauline Trigere, and noted philanthropist, Iris Cantor, spoke glowingly of her friend James Galanos before the two designers unveiled their plaques. Oscar de la Renta sent his stepdaughter and creative consultant, Eliza Reed Bolen, to unveil his plaque, while Valerie Steele did the honors for Donna Karan. The commemorative plaques for the four posthumously inducted designers were unveiled by close family members, friends or colleagues of the honorees.

ABOVE 2000 HONEREE GEOFFREY BEENE JOINS AMY FINE COLLINS AT THE 2001 INDUCTIONS CEREMONY ABOVE FASHION CURATORS AND FASHION WALK OF FAME SELECTIONS COMITTEE MEMBERS, VALERIE STEELE, PHYLLIS MAGIDSON AND HAROLD KODA WITH BARBARA BLAIR RANDALL AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INDUCTIONS CEREMONY (MISSING: PATRICIA MEARS ABOVE LOUIS DELL'OLIO PAYS TRIBUTE TO ANNE KLEIN.

Bonnie Cashin’s plaque was unveiled by Stephanie Day Iverson, a decorative arts scholar, who is the steward of the Cashin Collection. Martin Price did the honors for Giorgio di Sant’Angelo, his close friend and creative partner, while Louis Dell’ Olio did the same for his colleague, Anne Klein. Charles James’ children, Louise and Charles, traveled with their families from California and Pennsylvania, respectively, to honor their father on, coincidentally, what would have been his 95th birthday. Following the event, the plaques were embedded into the sidewalk along the east side of Seventh Avenue, between 35th and 37th Streets. The 2001 plaques join others from last year’s inaugural inductions. Each plaque contains an original fashion sketch and signature of the honoree, as well as brief text describing his/her contribution to fashion.

FINAL HONOREES TO BE INDUCTED IN 2002
The FCBID has announced the final eight designers who will be inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame in Summer 2002. When completed this year, the Walk will span the east side of Seventh Avenue, from Times Square to 35th Street, creating a pedestrian corridor that celebrates the history of the district and serves as a tourist amenity for those traveling between Times Square and Macy’s

This year, Stephen Burrows, Lilly Daché, Perry Ellis, Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson, Norma Kamali, Mainbocher and Willi Smith will be honored for their contributions to American fashion. They will join the sixteen other distinguished designers who have been inducted over the past two years.

Fashion Walk of Fame inductees are nominated by a Selections Committee of fashion curators, press and retailers. Ballots are then distributed to nearly 200 industry leaders who vote for those who will be immortalized in the Fashion Walk of Fame.

Criteria for selection are: American designers who have had a clear and significant New York presence; have owned their businesses for at least ten years; and were moving forces in the industry. Each must have made a powerful impact on fashion through innovative design or use of materials; or have significantly influenced the way America dresses. Our thanks to the Fashion Walk of Fame Selections Committee for their input and support: Valerie Steele, Chair; Jeanne Beker, Robin Givhan, Kim Hastreiter, Marylou Luther Imparato, Harold Koda, Phyllis Magidson, Fern Mallis, Patricia Mears, Carolyn Moss, Lavelle Olexa, Sally Singer.

ABOVE BETSY JOHNSON, ONE OF THE FINAL EIGHT DESIGNERS WHO WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE FASHION WALK OF FAME IN 2002.

COMMEMORATIVE COFFEE MUGS The FCBID has commissioned 16 different mugs bearing replicas of the Fashion Walk of Fame medallions that are embedded into the sidewalks of Seventh Avenue. Mugs are available for purchase at the Information Kiosk. Proceeds benefit the maintenance of the Fashion Walk of Fame.

ABOVE FASHION WALK OF FAME COFFEE MUGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE INFORMATION KIOSK.

AVENUE MAGAZINE
In Fall 2001, AVENUE Magazine published a special advertorial section devoted to the Fashion District. In addition to highlighting the work of the FCBID, the section included an article on the rich history of the Garment Center, as well as sections on new tenants and the exciting changes that are taking place here. Copies are available, free of charge, at the Information Kiosk. Brokers may obtain multiple copies for use as sales tools by contacting the FCBID office.

9/11 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
In response to the negative economic impact of September 11th, the FCBID launched Fight Back NY!, a campaign utilizing buttons, t-shirts, banners and posters with slogans that encouraged New Yorkers and visitors to support our city’s economy by patronizing our restaurants, theaters and shops. This campaign is covered in detail in the section on our
Response to 9/11

BROKERS’ BROCHURE
This winter, the FCBID published a new real estate brochure, aimed at commercial and retail brokers. Using the slogan “You can’t get more Midtown than this,” it highlights a fact that is obvious to anyone who lives or works here but that is sometimes overlooked by others: the Fashion District is Midtown’s most convenient neighborhood, served by every form of city and regional transportation. The brochure also contains information about the diverse mix of commercial, cultural, entertainment, retail and residential establishments in the area. Brochures were mailed to all property owners as well as commercial and retail brokers in Manhattan. Brokers may request additional copies for use as sales tools by contacting the FCBID office.

HELMUT NEWTON SHOW In October, the FCBID hosted a cocktail party and private viewing of the Helmut Newton Work Exhibition at the International Center of Photography. Over 200 district members attended the event.

ABOVE MORE THAN 200 FCBID MEMBERS ENJOYED THE HELMUT NEWTON WORK EXHIBITION IN OCTOBER. ABOVE THE FCBID'S POPULAR FASHION DISTRICT MAP IS AVAILABLE AT THE INFOMATION KIOSK.

FASHION DESIGN AND EXHIBITION CENTER
Several years ago, the FCBID received $90,000 from the Empire State Development Corporation to conduct a feasibility study for a Fashion Design and Exhibition Center. Ernst & Young Kenneth Leventhal undertook the study, which determined that there is a demonstrated need for such a facility, as New York is the only fashion capital without a design museum or industry center. The study further determined that a fashion exhibition center would be a significant new cultural institution that would attract tourists, generate substantial tax revenue and have a positive impact on surrounding real estate values in the Fashion District.

As part of the study, the FCBID convened a Steering Committee that included curators from the New York museum costume collections, industry leaders, architects and real estate consultants. While this group has met periodically during the last two years, and interest has remained high, the FCBID was not able to secure a site or sufficient funding to launch this project.

In the fall of 2001, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) approached the FCBID to suggest a partnership in further exploration of this idea. While the CFDA is expected to take a strong role in this project, the FCBID will remain fully engaged, as we believe that such a facility would be highly beneficial to the district.

NEW FASHION DISTRICT MAP
In October, the FCBID published a new Fashion District map, which includes a directory of eateries and other local retail establishments. Maps are available, free of charge, at the Information Kiosk and at the FCBID office.