Day 1 You'll See:
- Fashion Walk of Fame
- Garment District
- Macy’s Herald Square Behind the Scenes Tour
- Mood Designer Fabrics Tour
- Times Square
Day 2 You'll See:
- Central Park
- Fifth Avenue
- Fashion Institute of Technology Museum
- Empire State Building
Day 2 You'll See:
- M&S Schmalberg Fabric Accessories Tour
- Chinatown
Fierce fashionistas, budding designers and fashion-forward clotheshorses, alike, will truly enjoy this thrilling foray in the heart of NYC and the Fashion industry. First stop: the historic Garment District, where you and your student group will see the Fashion Walk of Fame, discover a few fascinating tricks of the trade and unearth some wonderful finds at famous Mood Fabrics. You’ll visit the Fashion Institute of Technology, tour Chinatown, explore dazzling Fifth Avenue, and – you guessed it – have a chance to shop ‘til you drop amidst the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan “Center of the Universe” Times Square!
Fashion Walk of Fame Along 7th Avenue between 35th and 40th Streets you’ll find the Fashion Walk of Fame, which currently consists of 28 unique and carefully-placed bronze plaques honoring fine American designers, past and present. Among them you’ll recognize some of the most celebrated names in American fashion – Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Betsey Johnson and Halston - as well as a few lesser-known, but no less important talents.
Garment District New York first assumed its role as the center of the nation's garment industry by making affordable work clothes for slaves on Southern plantations; in addition, its tailors produced other ready-made garments for sailors and western prospectors whenever regular business slowed. Present-day New York City is undeniably the nation’s fashion capital, with $14 billion in annual sales. The core of the industry is Manhattan's Garment District, where the majority of the city's major fashion labels operate showrooms; no other city houses a comparable concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single district. Once dominated by the fashion industry, the Garment District has evolved into a truly diverse neighborhood; in addition to enjoying the sights, you may grab a bite to eat at one of its fabulous bakeries, a bit of perfect fur trim for your favorite jacket, stop in for a quick haircut, browse for accessories (a new feather boa, perhaps?) or shop amazing sample sales!
Macy’s Herald Square Behind the Scenes Tour Macy’s Herald Square - a beloved NYC shopping tradition, especially around the Holidays – is billed as the largest department store in the world, featuring eleven floors showcasing a huge inventory of more than half a million items! A true Big Apple icon, this Macy’s was the first building to house the modern-day escalator and presently occupies an entire city block. Students will examine the mega-stores incredible retailing history, marvel at its unique architecture, score insider marketing information and ferret out merchandising industry secrets like the reason products for the home are sold on the top floor and why most mannequins are created without features. Prepare to experience the magic of Macy’s!
Mood Designer Fabrics Tour Aspiring young stylists, hobby sewers and fashion mavens, alike will LOVE a tour of the ULTIMATE NYC designer fabric store! Without question, Mood Fabrics is the number-one shopping destination for fashion and home fabric in the world; the NYC flagship store greets more than 1,200 customers daily. Named one of “Fashion’s 50 Most Powerful” by The New York Daily News, Mood has built a truly impeccable reputation based on honesty, creativity, and hard work; the company prides itself on being a family business and true American success story. Avid followers of Project Runway will recall how quickly it became one of the most successful reality shows ever; even non-sewers flock to the three-floor NYC store daily for a peek at Tim Gunn or Mood mascot, Swatch.
Times Square Bustling Times Square is jam-packed with things to see and do, places to eat and STORES – more than you can count - to pillage and plunder! Its huge digital billboards, brilliant neon lights, and sparkling, show-stopping storefronts are just a part of the amazing explosion of sights, sounds, and attractions awaiting visitors to this world-famous intersection in the heart of the Theater District. Times Square, depicted time and again in popular cinema, is the home of the New Years' Eve Ball Drop, the Paramount Building, the Good Morning America show and so much more it’s also earned another nickname: “Center of the Universe”!
Central Park A leisurely stroll through the Big Apple’s 843 acre backyard is a mainstay of any NYC student travel experience; this familiar landmark is a veritable oasis in the heart of the bustling city, offering locals and visitors, alike, a refreshing escape from the frenzied crush of crowds and dizzying pace of life in the shadows of the skyscrapers. Among its myriad highlights are two ice skating rinks, a 90-acre area of natural woods, dozens of bridges and arches, 21 playgrounds, one of the largest merry-go-rounds in the States, a small zoo, a 106-acre reservoir encircled by a running track and an heirloom rose garden. Central Park is wound about with scenic footpaths; birding and wildlife watching opportunities abound, and boat/kayak rentals can be secured at Loeb Boathouse. Carriage rides through Central Park are an enchanting tradition, and an array of open-air performance venues regularly treat audiences to great concerts and productions; the Shakespeare Festival each summer is not to be missed!
5th Avenue A 5th Avenue walking tour will acquaint your student group with the history of the city's legendary street and the prestigious stores and iconic landmarks that have made this fabled luxury thoroughfare an enduring favorite NYC shopping destination for decades! This five-mile stretch of road beginning at Washington Square and ending at Harlem River is loaded with designer shops and architectural stunners; these delightful walkabouts can be customized to include your very own 5th Avenue-fabulous shopping experience!
Fashion Institute of Technology Museum The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) is renowned for its innovative, award-winning, ambitious and ever-fresh special exhibitions. Its three floors house a fabulous permanent collection encompassing over 50,000 garments and accessories from the 18th century to the present and represent important designers such as Balenciaga, Chanel, and Dior. The collecting policy of “the Most Fashionable Museum in New York City” focuses on aesthetically and historically significant “directional” clothing, accessories, textiles and visual materials, with the emphasis always on contemporary avant-garde fashion. Prepare to be amazed!
Empire State Building This ultra-famous 103-story skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street towers a jaw-dropping total of 1,454 feet above the city. The Empire State Building proudly owns several notable distinctions: it’s recognized as one of Seven Wonders of the Modern World, is #1 on the AIA’s list of America’s Favorite Architecture and is currently the fourth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States. This beloved skyline symbol of dreams and aspirations draws intrepid sightseers from all walks of life to its famed lookouts; whether you choose to stop at a comfortably 86 floors with both indoor and outdoor viewing options or continue 200 feet higher to the climate-controlled comfort of the 102nd floor observation deck – the highest public point in New York City - is entirely up to you; on a clear day one can see all the way to Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey!
M&S Schmalberg Fabric Accessories Tour M & S Schmalberg, located in the fashion district of NYC, is the largest direct manufacturer of custom silk fabric flower pins in the USA, complementing the apparel, millinery, accessory, and bridal industries since 1916. Their unbelievable fabric flowers have been featured in countless magazines and on runways the world over. Using the same delicate process they’ve employed since 1916, they continue to provide an exquisite quality product and offer clients truly unmatched artisanal customization service. Some of their flower molds date all the way back to the turn of the century, and their endless styles can be created in any fabric - leathers, suede, silks, cotton, velvets, felts and even exotic skins! Tours detail the intricate process of manufacturing these fabulous fabric flowers, as well as Schulberg's rich history.
Chinatown New York's celebrated Chinatown boasts one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia and the largest in the city; there are also Vietnamese and Malaysian populations going about their daily business here in this swarming and gritty mecca of captivating sights, sounds and smells. It’s the place to go for a sampling of delectable Asian delicacies, uniquely charming specialty and discount shops and interesting open-air markets; this is where you’ll find your square watermelons, soup turtles, live eels - and knock-off designer goods. Keep a sharp eye peeled and you’ll come home with some true bargains!