Fashion Designers Suffer as Coronavirus Halts Business
2020-05-07
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1Felicia Lynch started her job as an assistant designer for a fashion company last November in New York City.
2But, like many others, her job disappeared because of the coronavirus crisis.
3Now, the 23-year-old designer is not sure whether she will get her job back.
4"We are all worried," Lynch said.
5She is one of thousands of people who have lost jobs in the New York City fashion world.
6Stores have closed.
7Major events have been cancelled.
8People are staying home and not buying clothes.
9Jobless designers are hoping to restart their careers when life returns to normal.
10They believe people will want to buy American brands made in the United States.
11And they think people will want to stay closer to home when they shop.
12More fashion designers work in New York City than anywhere else in the country.
13It is home to about 30 percent of nearly 19,000 fashion designers working across the U.S., a 2019 congressional report said.
14The city's fashion industry makes up about 4.4 percent of non-government jobs and creates about $11.4 billion in employee pay, a recent U.S. government labor report found.
15The coronavirus struck just as designers were sending their new spring fashions.
16Now, stores are returning those items and future orders have been cancelled.
17Steven Kolb is president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
18The group has about 500 designers as members.
19Kolb told The Associated Press that many designers are facing serious financial difficulties because they have large inventories they cannot sell.
20Kolb added that stores are also feeling the effects of the fashion downturn, with some struggling to pay rent and other operating costs.
21The CFDA has joined with the Vogue Fashion Fund to raise money to help designers, from large companies to one-man businesses.
22Called "A Common Thread," the effort so far raised $4.1 million, Kolb said. It has received more than 800 requests for financial assistance.
23New York's fashion industry was experiencing problems even before the coronavirus hit.
24Once-famous stores that helped young designers - like Barneys and Henri Bendel - went out of business.
25Now, with the virus crisis causing widespread economic problems, other major clothing stores are also facing the same danger.
26Students at New York's fashion colleges believe future employment in the industry looks very difficult.
27Michael Londrigan is an assistant professor at LIM college in Manhattan.
28He said all the internships for the school's fashion students were canceled through the summer.
29Those internships often lead to industry jobs, Londrigan added.
30"They were counting on jobs after graduation so we are counseling as best we can."
31Felicia Lynch is not worried about the financial problems the large stores are facing.
32She believes the future of fashion is online.
33She continues to design and hopes for a better job when things return to normal.
34Laura Ciccarello was in charge of sales for a Chinese company that made fashion items for the New York market.
35But she lost her job when the factory closed and future orders were cancelled.
36Now, she is working on a few fashion designs of her own and has already found a supplier.
37She is also working with another supplier to make medical items, such as masks.
38"This will be survival of the fittest for fashion brands, " she added.
39I'm Susan Shand.
1Felicia Lynch started her job as an assistant designer for a fashion company last November in New York City. But, like many others, her job disappeared because of the coronavirus crisis. 2Now, the 23-year-old designer is not sure whether she will get her job back. "We are all worried," Lynch said. 3She is one of thousands of people who have lost jobs in the New York City fashion world. Stores have closed. Major events have been cancelled. People are staying home and not buying clothes. 4Jobless designers are hoping to restart their careers when life returns to normal. They believe people will want to buy American brands made in the United States. And they think people will want to stay closer to home when they shop. 5More fashion designers work in New York City than anywhere else in the country. It is home to about 30 percent of nearly 19,000 fashion designers working across the U.S., a 2019 congressional report said. The city's fashion industry makes up about 4.4 percent of non-government jobs and creates about $11.4 billion in employee pay, a recent U.S. government labor report found. 6The coronavirus struck just as designers were sending their new spring fashions. Now, stores are returning those items and future orders have been cancelled. 7Steven Kolb is president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The group has about 500 designers as members. Kolb told The Associated Press that many designers are facing serious financial difficulties because they have large inventories they cannot sell. 8Kolb added that stores are also feeling the effects of the fashion downturn, with some struggling to pay rent and other operating costs. 9The CFDA has joined with the Vogue Fashion Fund to raise money to help designers, from large companies to one-man businesses. Called "A Common Thread," the effort so far raised $4.1 million, Kolb said. It has received more than 800 requests for financial assistance. 10New York's fashion industry was experiencing problems even before the coronavirus hit. Once-famous stores that helped young designers - like Barneys and Henri Bendel - went out of business. Now, with the virus crisis causing widespread economic problems, other major clothing stores are also facing the same danger. 11Students at New York's fashion colleges believe future employment in the industry looks very difficult. 12Michael Londrigan is an assistant professor at LIM college in Manhattan. He said all the internships for the school's fashion students were canceled through the summer. 13Those internships often lead to industry jobs, Londrigan added. "They were counting on jobs after graduation so we are counseling as best we can." 14Felicia Lynch is not worried about the financial problems the large stores are facing. She believes the future of fashion is online. She continues to design and hopes for a better job when things return to normal. 15Laura Ciccarello was in charge of sales for a Chinese company that made fashion items for the New York market. But she lost her job when the factory closed and future orders were cancelled. 16Now, she is working on a few fashion designs of her own and has already found a supplier. She is also working with another supplier to make medical items, such as masks. 17"This will be survival of the fittest for fashion brands, " she added. 18I'm Susan Shand. 19The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 20________________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22fashion - n. clothing that is designed and costly 23brand - n. the name and reputation of a company 24shop - v. going out to buy things 25inventory - n. a list of items to be sold 26rent - n. the monthly amount paid for an apartment or store 27internship - n. an unpaid work experience 28counsel - v. to give advice or assistance