Detroit’s Taking on the Financial Crisis, With Fashion?

By: Sara Sindelar

Fashion is a major industry and it is feeling the pain of the crisis as well. When you think of Detroit you think auto industry but fashion is taking over in the city. Detroit is trying to change the city instead of losing it to the financial crisis. “As that business [auto industry] fades and its jobs disappear, city planners are hoping to redeploy the city's creative minds and craftsmen toward a new and growing field: fashion.” (CNN Money). Detroit has held their own fashion week since 2005 and they are hoping that they will gain strong enough PR for the local designers to be featured in national stores. One woman who was laid off from the auto industry started a handbag line; a previous finance worker left to start a men’s suit collection; the industry is growing in Detroit. "Creative industries build a vibrant community that young professionals want to live in," Detroit Regional Chamber COO Tammy Carnrike says. This can gain young population which can lead to an increase in the Detroit economy. So watch out New York and Los Angeles, Detroit is ready to be next in fashion.

The fashion industry is and will continue to change as the recession continues. Designers are making more affordable and accessible clothing and people are starting up fashion lines after being laid off. "I want this line to be accessible," says designer Richard Chai. This is the A-word that was not previously used on the runway for high fashion. “But this is the new fashion economy. Less glamorous. More sellable.” (Wall Street Journal).

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