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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $10 million in state funding for the Fashion Innovation Center, which will promote a collaborative approach to using smart, sustainable textiles produced in New York State. Empire State Development will lead the creation of a consortium-led FIC that will draw on expertise from New York State universities, farms, fashion industry leaders and nonprofit organizations. FIC will focus on addressing the needs of the fashion industry, utilizing crops produced in New York State for fiber materials and cultivating technology that advances sustainability and innovation through apparel technologies in the fashion and textile industries. FIC will also include a Sustainable Fashion Innovation Center Accelerator, focused on creating smart and sustainable alternatives that solve large-scale industry problems, create green jobs, promote state-sourced textiles and support sustainable fashion.
Governor Hochul announced the new FIC during New York Fashion Week, which runs from September 7th to September 14th. In recognition of the industry-wide event, the Governor attended the Coach fashion show in New York City.
“As the fashion capital of the world, New York is well suited for cutting-edge solutions to make this booming industry more innovative and sustainable.” Governor Hochul said. “The Fashion Innovation Center will foster collaboration across fashion, agriculture and other industries to reduce our environmental footprint, limit waste and create opportunity across New York State.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Agriculture is an important part of New York State’s economy, and as the fashion industry moves toward a more sustainable future, we must take advantage of the opportunity to connect the agriculture and fashion industries, both vital to the future of our state’s New Fashion Innovation Center will make New York State a leader in promoting locally produced sustainable fibers, growing jobs and helping to achieve Governor Hochul’s climate goals.
New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball said, “Locally produced textiles, and the farmers who produce them, are an important part of New York’s agriculture. We are excited to promote the Fashion Innovation Center to New York State’s farmers and manufacturers who produce fiber and textiles, supports our state’s economy and local communities while focusing on environmental sustainability – a win-win for everyone.”
Globally, the fashion and textile industry contributes 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year – more than all international flights and shipping combined. This is due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels, decentralized supply chains and improper disposal of end-of-life products. New technologies and material processing approaches offer the potential for more “smart” and “sustainable” fashion, and New York farms currently produce the necessary raw materials, such as flax, linen, cotton, and hemp that can be transformed into in textiles that can be used. in these applications on a larger scale.
Sustainable textiles are the future of fashion, and New York State is poised to lead the way in the environmentally responsible production of these materials. Smart textiles are an advanced industry that has applications for countless professions, from athletes to first responders and medical professionals.
Empire State Development’s Science, Technology and Innovation Division will issue a Request for Proposals to select the consortium, which will include universities, businesses, farmers, fashion industry leaders and non-profit organizations. The Accelerator, located within the FIC, will provide space to early-stage companies working on promising developments in this field, which are strong candidates for commercialization and can be challenged by solving real issues of partners of industry.
FIC will seek, evaluate and oversee projects focused on addressing industry challenges and opportunities, with priority given to those involving the use of New York State crops and material inputs, and the cultivation of technology that accelerates sustainability in the fashion industry and textile. Through a competitive process, FIC will provide grant funding to New York State small businesses in the fashion industry, providing a critical link between industry leaders and innovation and supporting projects that aim to improve the sustainability of the industry.
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Sustainable textiles are not just the future of fashion, but the future of a growing farm-to-fabric industry that New York’s small fiber farmers are already leading. With this exciting new innovation hub at Fashion Week in New York and supporting industry-generating legislation like my bill, the New York Textiles Act (S8741A), we can make New York a powerhouse producer of environmentally friendly textiles for use in every sector where fabric is needed. Growing the industry New York Textiles is a clear step forward for our economy and our fight against the climate crisis, and I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership in building a more sustainable future.”
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, “I’m very pleased to see these elements of the Textile Act come to fruition. There is so much potential in bringing together creativity and technology and interweaving fiber and fashion. New York has the resources for every aspect of this project, including farmers, innovators and fashion infrastructure. I applaud Governor Hochul’s establishment of the Fashion Innovation Center.”
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “We have been working for some time to raise the potential of NY-grown textiles made from hemp and animal fibers. There is a real excitement about the number of opportunities this industry can offer, along with a real need to address the many challenges they are facing. I would like to thank the Governor and my colleagues for their interest and commitment to this new Center. And especially to Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who is a strong supporter of the “farm in vogue” in our Assembly Agriculture Committee.”
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s primary economic development agency. ESD’s mission is to promote a strong and growing economy, encourage the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities, increase revenue for the state and its municipalities, and achieve sustainable and diverse local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to increase investment and private business growth to foster job creation and support prosperous communities throughout New York State. ESD is also the lead administrative agency that oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the state’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Empire State Regional Councils and Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.
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