Fashion Impact Fund Grant Recipient:
Custom Collaborative
New York City, United States
Organization: Custom Collaborative
Website: customcollaborative.org
Location: New York City, United States
Program Focus: Garment design, construction, and sustainable fashion entrepreneurship training
Participants Trained: 9
Program Duration: 15 weeks | October 2022 – January 2023
The Fashion Impact Fund provided a grant to support a workforce education program delivered by Custom Collaborative, a New York City–based workforce development and entrepreneurship organization working within the fashion sector. The grant supported the Custom Collaborative Training Institute, a program designed to provide participants with technical skills in garment design, construction, and sustainable fashion practices, preparing them to pursue professional opportunities within the fashion industry.
“The Custom Collaborative Training Institute demonstrates how workforce education in fashion can help shift the narrative around leadership, economic participation, and opportunity within the industry. Programs like this play an important role in advancing systems change, strengthening ethical production practices, and supporting the transition toward a more fair, inclusive, and sustainable fashion sector.”
— Kerry Bannigan, Founder, Fashion Impact Fund
Education
The Custom Collaborative Training Institute provides structured instruction in garment design, construction, and sustainable fashion practices. Participants begin with foundational lessons in garment illustration and construction, gradually progressing to advanced training in collection development, ethical manufacturing, and fashion business fundamentals.
As part of the curriculum, participants also explore topics including marketing, sourcing, and financial management, helping them understand the broader ecosystem of the fashion industry. Through hands-on training, students develop practical skills while creating their own garments and design concepts.
Workforce
The program prepares participants with the technical and entrepreneurial capabilities needed to pursue professional opportunities within the fashion sector. By combining design education with practical production training and exposure to industry professionals, the program helps bridge the gap between education and employment.
Participants engage directly with the industry through site visits and networking opportunities with leading fashion companies, gaining insight into professional pathways within the sector.
Manufacturing
By strengthening skills in garment construction and ethical production practices, the program contributes to expanding the skilled workforce supporting New York City’s fashion and apparel sector. Workforce training initiatives such as this help connect emerging designers and makers with production knowledge, supporting local manufacturing and sustainable fashion practices.
Impact
The program ran for 15 weeks and supported 9 participants in developing technical skills in garment design, construction, and sustainable fashion practices. Through hands-on training and mentorship, participants strengthened their professional capabilities and explored pathways to employment, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurial ventures within the fashion sector.
Following completion of the program, several participants secured apprenticeships with fashion houses including Theory, Mara Hoffman, and Art to Wear, while others established independent studios.
GRANT RECIPIENT
Ngozi Okaro
Ngozi Okaro is the Executive Director and founder of Custom Collaborative, a New York City–based organization dedicated to expanding workforce and entrepreneurial opportunities within the fashion industry. With more than fifteen years of experience in strategic leadership and advocacy, she has developed programs that equip participants with the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional networks needed to succeed in the fashion sector.
Her work focuses on strengthening ethical fashion systems while connecting designers, skilled workers, and sustainable production practices within the local fashion ecosystem.
“On behalf of the entire Custom Collaborative community, we are grateful for the support of the Fashion Impact Fund. This partnership strengthens our ability to expand access to training and resources, helping participants build the skills needed to pursue careers and entrepreneurial opportunities within the fashion industry.”
