This is surprisingly one of my favorite responsibilities of my job. I enjoy walking around the city and exploring a little as I go from place to place. It was especially awesome around the holidays with all of the decorations in the street and the Macys window displays that I got to pass everyday. Another thing I enjoy about going to the Garment District is the relationships I build with the people I work with. Each place I go to, I am on a first name basis with everyone and they all treat me with respect and as if I were a full time employee for Derek Lam. One of the guys at our production factory actually has a coffee waiting for me every time I come in! Sometimes I have to go in there with not such good news. I've learned that production is all about who can produce it the quickest, for the cheapest price with the best quality (which is a tough combination to achieve!). Often I go in to press them about a time crunch, check for quality, or disagree about something, but they are always so nice to me and welcome me back time after time! Which in this industry can be a tough relationship to manage but I've been learning how to balance it.
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Garment District
The Garment District is my second home. I now know each of our fabric vendors, pattern makers, sample and production factories addresses as well as I know my own. From the office it is about a 15 minute walk to get the Garment District which is located roughly between 32nd and 39th st. between Broadway and 8th avenue. I walk there almost every day to do an array of things. Usually when I am sent out I have a list of tasks I need to accomplish; drop a sample off, pick a sample up, grab fabric swatches, buy trim and so on.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The Garment District is such a fascinating place, and I would love to explore it more! Your job sounds really interesting, and I look forward to doing my co-op and getting real-world fashion experience!
ReplyDeleteThe Garment District is huge and your co-op seems like it's a great opportunity to network and build relationships with so many different people within the industry. Derek Lam is such a wonderful company, and it seems like you are learning a lot about how a designer gets things done!!! I hope your next 3 months are as great as the first, and I hope if you are still going to be walking around the city the weather doesn't get too bad for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that you know the garment district so well! I think that will definitely help you later in life if you work for a fashion company in NYC. That's so great that you've built close relationships with the people who work in the garment district and that they treat you with respect. These connections will help you so much after graduation!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have learned so much from your co-op. You seem to have so many different responsibilities. It is so sweet that that guy has coffee for you. It's so amazing how the Garment District has become so familiar to you these past few months.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that you’re doing more than just your “job” is wonderful. You’re making connections with people while exploring the city and learning more about working in the industry. I hope I can enjoy my future co-op as much has you have enjoyed yours!
ReplyDelete