Crain's Detroit Business yesterday ran a piece called "A Stitch of Hope: Fashion Week, creative initiative give a boost to Detroit designers" noting both the event (held in March) and the underlying creative class initiative being promoted by Detroit Renaissance.

The article noted that Fashion Week attracted over 1,300 attendees and "several major sponsors."

Crain's reports: "Heath's goals for Detroit Fashion Week? Good fashion, good times, and a shot in the arm for Detroit's nascent fashion industry. Some of the city's fashion entrepreneurs are hoping the event's success will work toward creating interest in the city's design community." 

The article connects that effort with our Creative Corridor project:

"But there may be good news ahead for the fashion business - Detroit Renaissance Inc. recently launched an initiative geared toward promoting Detroit's creative community, and fashion is part of that.

'We know there is an indigenous fashion industry in Detroit, which is associated with Detroit's unique urban culture,' said Doug Rothwell, Detroit Renaissance CEO. 'And we would like to give greater visibility to the people in that space ... so people will know there is a fashion industry in Detroit.'

Fashion, Rothwell said, could play a vital role in changing the way outsiders see Detroit.

'I think within the creative sector, fashion is probably one of those that has one of the greatest potential to help reposition Detroit's brand image,' he said. 'Fashion is so synonymous with style, with whatever is new, whatever is cutting edge. If we can be seen as place where fashion occurs, people will begin to associate Detroit with the new economy, not with the past.'

Fashion Week's Heath said the opportunities are vast.

'Fashion has the possibility of being a great industry for Michigan,' he said."

Read the rest of the article here.