Somehow, Spring is just around the corner. It's as if life itself is on pace with the fashion calendar. While that pace used to be one of the most invigorating elements of the industry, it is now cause for restlessness in many of our small fashion and beauty businesses. There is much work to be done in recovering from the disruption of the entire industry in 2020. While eCommerce emerged as a victor of the pandemic's effects, it presented a new set of challenges for Makers and business owners who were not yet prepared to serve customers exclusively online. Educators and students in studio classes and salons had to pause and await next steps in completing the training necessary to join the workforce as professionals. Storefronts, once filled with shoppers, became a space where owners worked and reworked the plan to save their brick-and-mortar while translating the in-person customer service experience into a virtual one. Designers were segmented into those who continued to produce collections in hopes of remaining unaffected by Force Majeure clauses, those who immediately integrated the production and sales of face masks into their online shops, and those who used the time of shelter-in-place to dream bigger in preparation for fashion’s inevitable reemergence. At the core of this crisis was the fact that the health of each person in our community, and that of our families, held us captive in the moments that brainstorming our next steps did not. We all shared in this strait. 

On February 9th, I testified as the Interim Chairwoman and representative of The Commission on Fashion Arts and Events in the 2021 DC Council Performance Oversight Hearing. Among the reporting of facts and figures in our operations as a Mayoral commission, I also had the privilege on responding to Council on the position of Fashion in DC in contrast to its amassed economic value and tenacity. In response to the question of the commission’s priorities for 2021, edited here for context, I answered: To effectively stabilize the Fashion and Beauty industry within the DC economic strategy in name and opportunity, fulfilling the mission to establish a space for DC’s own fashion and beauty creators and retailers to exist and thrive. To enhance DC Recovery efforts, pin-pointing fashion and beauty business needs. To engage adjacent agencies for the purpose of creating, delivering, and amplifying opportunities for DC’s Fashion and Beauty community.  In my verbal testimony, I affirmed that while global brands and big retailers have been challenged, some leveled by COVID-19, the District’s independent fashion and beauty businesses have shown a remarkable measure of enterprise and resilience - pivoting business operations, creating collaborative shopping experiences to ensure profitability against reduced foot traffic, and to create a customer service experience for clients and customers now shopping their brand from a distance. So much more could be said about the endurance of DC’s fashion and beauty economy but, on behalf of the commission, I will close with this. The Mayor’s Commission on Fashion Arts and Events will move fashion business forward in Washington, DC.

 The recommendations were codified in a document entitled “Retail and Small Business Committee Recommendations ReOpen DC Advisory Group Steering Committee” Report. One of the recommendations was to assist businesses in readily pivoting to alternate revenue streams. The Moda Operandi Runway Report affirms the sentiment that eCommerce is a viable solution for low traffic in brick and mortar stores.  In particular, the Report explains that in February 2021 consumers spent more on luxury ready to wear items than they did in April 2020.  In addition to luxury, Moda discovered that even during a pandemic, shoppers are willing to purchase goods that promote escapism, self-care and comfort, including, athleisure items, outerwear, personal care and wellness products. 

Additionally, according to Lisa Aiken, Fashion & Buying Director at Moda Operandi, Inc., the most competitive retailers during this moment are those who can successfully leverage technology to enlarge their customer’s “considered” shopping experiences in real time.  One way to accomplish this is to offer “buy now/pay later” payment options.  Ensuring that consumers can make purchases in real time is essential during this stressful period when shoppers want to purchase comfort, luxury and escapism now.   As the coronavirus vaccine roll out continues, retailers are poised to return to a more traditional brick and mortar shopping experience.  But until then, it is still possible to increase sales provided that retailers offer a considered shopping experience that employs digital tools to help accelerate e-commerce. 

-Commissioner Mariessa Terrell, CFAE V.Chair, Committee Chair

On February 12th, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced $5,185,000 available in funding for the Local Equity, Access & Preservation Funds (DC LEAF)*.  Two of the programs that fall under DC LEAF may address the needs of businesses that fall under the scope of the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events. These are the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund and Locally Made Manufacturing Grant Program.   

Eligible applicants include the following: 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations, Joint ventures, partnerships, cooperatives, and limited liability types of companies, corporations, for-profit and non-profit developers, be a registered business in Good Standing with the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), and the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS), provide proof of property and liability insurance (an insurance quote is permitted for new businesses) compliant with the requirements set forth in the grant application.

Under the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the Locally Made Manufacturing Grant (“DC Locally Made”) incentivizes and bolsters the Great Streets initiative to grow the District’s local small business economy and bolster neighborhoods with inadequate access to retail opportunities. DMPED will award up to a maximum of $1,000,000.00 to grantees under this program. 

Eligible applicants include real estate developers and/or existing small businesses whose core business aligns with light manufacturing and is located either within or plans to move to a Great Street Corridor are eligible. See map for eligibility.

On January 23rd, the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events held its inaugural virtual fashion event hosted by DJay Freddy. Thank you for joining us! 

On February 9th, the Commission participated in the 2021 Performance Oversight Hearing. View footage from the live hearing here.  

DC Business Toolkit  

Capital Connector  

DCRA’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC)  

Main Street team  

DMPED Town Hall Meetings