NEW YORK – The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has announced that US$10 million in state funding will be allocated to the establishment of a new Fashion Innovation Center (FIC), which it’s hoped will spotlight New York-produced ‘smart’ and ‘sustainable’ textiles.
Led by economic development agency Empire State Development, the FIC is expected to be a consortium-led research hub through which fashion firms, academic institutes, non-profits and farmers can collaborate and accelerate innovation across the sector.
“As the fashion capital of the world, New York is the perfect fit for cutting-edge solutions to make this booming industry more innovative and more 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.”