GREATER WASHINGTON FASHION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FACT SHEET

The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) and also known as the “Fashion Chamber” is a 501c6 membership-based corporation whose long-term vision is to help support, promote and grow the DC fashion and retail industry. GWFCC’s mission is to brand Washington, DC as a global fashion destination by:

• Creating a thriving fashion industry;
• Promoting DC’s fashion designer talent and fashion retail boutiques;
• Helping its members develop and grow their businesses;
• Conducting international trade and development events; and
• Attracting American and international designers and fashion labels and brands to DC

GWFCC’s Impact on the Fashion Community:

• Through the efforts of the DC Fashion Council, the advisory group that paved the way for the creation of GWFCC, the District passed Bill No. 17-173 to create the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events.
• Since the end of 2007, GWFCC has recruited over 63 members, built an industry listserv of over 2,400 creative businesses/professionals and sponsored over 30 fashion industry related outreach events.
• GWFCC has successfully promoted members through features in various media outlets including Washingtonian.com, The Washington Post, Daily Candy and The Washington Times. GWFCC has connected its members to multiple fashion-related job opportunities across various sectors and has connected numerous designers with fashion buyers in order to place their garments in retail boutiques across the region.
• GWFCC has successfully assisted with various fundraising campaigns including: “Gowns with an Attitude” which benefited the Children’s National Medical Center and secured a $130,000 grant to operate the Sew-n-Know program to expand its services to DC youth.
• GWFCC has established working relationships with District of Columbia government agencies including the DC Council, Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Department of Small and Local Business Development, Department of Parks and Recreation as well as the DC Economic Partnership.
• GWFCC sponsored a series of business workshops for members and recently launched its “Fashionably Business” workshop series.
• GWFCC has sponsored numerous outreach and designer spotlight events including: Fashion Beauty Day at Radiance MedSpa, West Potomac Academy’s “Behind the Curtain Fashion Show” and Amore Couture, Artomatic’s “Art in Fashion”, Evelyn Brooks’ “The Moschik Men’s Jewelry Collection” Fashion Show and Fundraiser, Shaka King New York “Rich & Rugged Fashion Show, Tsyndyma Fashion Show at the Russian Cultural Centre, Fashion Night at the Zoo and the Political Style Soiree.
• GWFCC organized DC Camp Runway, a summer fashion entrepreneurship program for youth through the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) and Department of Parks and Recreation. GWFCC is currently working with several local educational institutions including the Duke Ellington High School for the Arts to add fashion education as part of their curriculums. GWFCC is coordinating Project Fundway a fashion student design scholarship competition. The application process was from June 1 2009- August 15, 2009 and the Project Fundway final three face-off in September 2009.
• Conducted fashion trade mission to Lima, Peru
• Received Small Business Initiative of the Year (2009) Award from The DC Economic Partnership
• Coordinating the first fashion trade expo with CW Network- DC50TV
• Planning its first fashion fundraising gala for Spring 2010.

To learn more, or to join, please visit: http://www.gwfcc.org

GWFCC Leadership, please contact: Christine Brooks-Cropper, president at president@gwfcc.org

Membership Inquiries: members@gwfcc.org

Press Inquiries: press@gwfcc.org

General Inquiries: info@gwfcc.org