Don’t let the title mislead you — I love New York. I’ll probably do a stint there myself, whether it’s for a summer internship or a year after I graduate. However, I think it’s important for fashion students to consider other alternatives when searching for the perfect place to live. New York is wonderful, but I can’t see myself living there long-term with seasonal depression, crowded streets, and high rent. There are plenty of other gems on the rise in the United States.
- Miami, FL
After New York and Los Angeles, Miami is the third most fashionable city in the US. With its location, much of Miami’s fashion is influenced by Latin American cultures, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. It is quickly becoming an American fashion staple, colorful, chic, and bold. Some designers based in Miami include Julian Chang, Rene Ruiz, and Patricia Gomez Gracia. For those interested in Resort, Miami Fashion Week is the top platform for global resort collections. Miami is the perfect spot for those interested in elegance, print, and bold colors.
- Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is a fashion city that is becoming very popular very quickly. Most people aren’t aware, but Philly is home to many well-known fashion brands, including URBN, Commonwealth Proper, and Dear Laney. With vintage stores and high-end boutiques lining Old City’s 3rd Street, it is easy to see the Philadelphia fashion scene. Fashion week occurs in September and features many local designers, including Imperial Legacy and Autumn Lin. Philadelphia is also home to fashion colleges Drexel University and Moore College of Art and Design. It’s perfect for trendy, modern, and city-focused fashion designers.
- Nashville, TN
With cowboy boots and dresses, Nashville is the newly emerging fashion hub of
the South. Though it is most well known for its music industry, fashion design is just as prevalent. Apparently, Nashville has the highest per capita concentration of fashion companies. The city has a relatively low cost of living combined with the drivable distance to many of the major fashion markets in the US. Local designers include Pink Elephant Designs, Amanda Valentine, and SCAD graduate Cavanagh Baker. Nashville is an ideal place to make a mark in the industry.
- Oakland, CA
Oakland is the perfect place for those who want to access the California fashion scene but don’t necessarily want to live in LA. Northern California brings a new market to the fashion industry, with grungy and sustainable street style at the forefront. Oakland has a distinct vintage energy and brings outdoorsy granola to the front of the fashion scene. With brands such as Only Child, Mira Blackman, and Taylor Jay, the city is making a big impact in the slow fashion community. Oakland is currently on the rise in style.
- Chicago, IL
For the Midwest, Chicago is the place to go. It’s such a well-known city, but most people don’t consider it in terms of fashion. It has an urban, utilitarian feel and incredibly interesting fashion if you look underneath the parkas. It is home to designers such as Kristopher Kites, Sheila Rashid, and Azeeza, who have been worn by celebrities or on runways. Chicago has a bi-annual fashion week and considers diversity in its shows. In 2021, it showcased its Modest Show, which displayed high fashion burkas, hijabs, and other traditional Muslim garments. It also featured its Trans Media Show, where only trans and gender nonconforming models walked the runway.
At the end of the day, New York and Los Angeles are great places for fashion, but they aren’t the only options. There are other fashion hubs in the United States to live or study in, and they may even become the next big place. Before subjecting yourself to a life of seasonal depression or influencer culture, consider your options and make sure you pick the right place.
Words by: Caroline Tetlow.
Graphic by: Fai McCurdy.