′Think New York and you’ll think either theater, fashion or finance. Theater has Broadway, finance has Wall Street with its iconic bull, and fashion has Seventh or Fashion Avenue.
Did you know that Fashion Avenue has a Fashion Walk of Fame?
Established in 1999 by the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (BID), the Fashion Walk of Fame celebrates American designers who have influenced fashion worldwide. Twenty-eight designers have been inducted into the Walk of Fame to date. Each has a bronze plaque that is engraved with a description of the designer’s contribution, and an original sketch. Each bears the designer’s signature. The plaques are embedded in the sidewalk on Fashion Avenue from 35th to 41st Street.
Also on Fashion Avenue is an 8-foot Judith Weller bronze sculpture, called The Garment Worker – a tribute to the area’s history in the garment industry – as well as a giant needle and button. Some New Yorkers still call the Fashion Center or Fashion District, the area from 34th to 42nd Streets between Fifth and Ninth Avenues, by its old name, the Garment District.
The plaques commemorate the following designers: Ralph Rucci, Donald Brooks, Diane von Furstenberg, Liz Claiborne, Oscar de la Renta, John Galanos, Donna Karan, Paul Trigere, Bonnie Cashin, Giorgio Di Sant’Angelo, Charles James, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson, Norma Kamali, Lilly Dache, Perry Ellis, Mainbocher, Willie Smith, Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Halston, Rudi Gernreich, Claire McCardell and Norman Norell.
To view the plaques, download a map and head over to the Fashion Walk of Fame on Seventh or Fashion Avenue east side from 35th to 41st Street.
Have you strolled the Fashion Walk of Fame?
This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, which is organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to head over and check out more photos from locations around the world.
This week, I’m also linking up with the Friday Daydreaming series organized by Becca at Rwethereyetmom. Hope to see you there!
Wonderful place, I wish to visit someday…
What a great way to celebrate New York’s fashion industry. I missed this when I was in New York…looks like I might have to go back!!
I love the needle and button piece. I am no fashionista but defer to my daughter and my cousin who went to Parson in NYC.
NYC is one place that I haven’t visited and can’t wait to go! My daughter would love to explore the New York Fashion Walk of Fame.
I have seen the monument of the Garment Worker and the Needle and Button, so I guess that means I have been there 🙂 Although I don’t remember the plaques nor did I recognize most of the names (you can tell what a fashion-monger I am)!
New York sure is the center for fashion, finance and theater and Fashion Walk of Fame is a nice way to show it off. Great post Marcia!
So interesting and I’ve never heard of this Walk of Fame. I guess I’ve never ventured to this part of NYC. I’m not too caught up with fashion designers so I had to google a few of the names 🙂
How interesting! No, I didn’t know this. Another thing to search out when in New York!
This is so cool! I didn’t even know it existed! Thanks!
I am trying to get Friday Daydreamin back up and running again – asking everyone to link up their favorite post of the week – hope you can link up this week! Thanks!
Hi Marcia
Although fashion isn’t my thing, I can appreciate how significant this is for people who love fashion.
I like NY’s penchant for districts.
I like the old fella with the sewing machine. My Nan used one of those, preferring it to the the whizz-bang electric ones. They are tricky to use as you have to keep peddling whist concentrating on the sewing.
We used to have one of those when I was very little. I still remember the time I “sewed” my finger and gave my mother the scare of her life. You’re right: they’re tricky but I got the hang of it and made my first outfit when I was around eleven.
I didn’t either, Becca. It’s one of the things I love about NYC, there’s always something to discover.
I’ll head over and link up.
New York’s full of surprises, Marlys. I do hope you check this out when next you’re there.
If you click on the photos, you’ll see a little bio of each designer.
I didn’t know some of them either — had to look them up.
Thanks, Salika! Yes, it is. I think this is the first time designers have been honored in this way.
The plaques were installed in ’99, Debbie, but if you’re not looking down you’d have missed them, like I did.
Look out for them next time you’re in NYC.
Hope you get to NYC soon and take her with you, Jen.
It’s a remarkable place.
Great, glad you like it, Leigh.
Depending on when your cousin went to Parsons, I’m sure she’d have seen the plaques and the needle/button.
It sure is a great way to celebrate American fashion. You have to check it out the next time you’re in NYC.
It is, Muza-chan. Hope you get to visit one of these days.
Must admit I’ve never thought much about New York and fashion, somehow the focus here seems to be Milan and Paris. But then I don’t know a whole lot about fashion. A fun thing to discover, that fashion walk 🙂
Hi Marciam,
Wow!! What an enthralling way to celebrate the fashion industry. The pics are just way too awesome. I loved this particular picture of needle and button. Each and every picture carries a uniqueness. Thanks for the share.
Thanks so much for linking up with us this week – I hope you continue to do so each week!
Yes, of course, Milan and Paris would definitely be better known in Europe.
Here though, it’s NYC.
Thanks, Becca. I will.
So funny, cause I’ve walked down this street countless times and never really paused to look at the plaques before! I’m going to have to stop being such a rushed New Yorker next time;-) Thanks for sharing!
Wish I could just fly down there to celebrate fashion in NYC. Thanks for sharing.
I love this post… So NY and fashion forward. 😉
Eliz
Thanks, Elizabeth! It’s definitely NY.
You’re welcome, Fatima.
If you’re really into fashion, you should check out Fashion Week.
You’re welcome, Jess. We’re always so rushed and focused, we never look down.
Hope you remember to check them out next time you’re on 7th Ave.
Nice post! This is a totally overlooked sight of New York, I feel. I’ve live in NYC for 8 years and actually used to step over those but never really took the time to look at it. Thanks for making me stop. =)
You’re welcome, Christine!
I think like most people in NYC, we always look straight ahead. I don’t know how many times I walked down 7th Avenue and never saw them too.
Anyway, thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
You’re welcome, Aayna!
I agree, it sure is a great way to honor NYC as the fashion capital of the US.