Local Fashion Program has Incubation Aspirations

The stakeholder driven actionomics[dc] initiative led to the development of several workgroups, one of which is focusing on all things incubation. Take a look at SiNGA, and how it hopes to incubate future creatives and fashionistas:

SiNGA is a training program that prepares graduates for careers in retail and the clothing and textile industries. Students get classroom training and practical experience in fashion and textile design, manufacturing, retailing, production sewing, industry practices, business planning, entrepreneurial skills and teamwork.

The initial seed that gave birth to SiNGA was planted in the late 1960s when Jackie Hart, a long-time advocate of community empowerment, was teaching sewing at a local DC community center. After several years of formal education, two careers: retail and teaching and being an entrepreneur, SiNGA was established in 1996.

The focus of SiNGA’s unique set of courses in product creation, market development and retail management provides portable skills that enhance customer service, salesmanship, and professional training for the participants as a basis for a career in retail, and creating young fashion entrepreneurs that launch creative designs into the marketplace.

Ms. Hart envisions a state-of-the-art facility that will ultimately function as a fashion incubator committed to nurturing program graduates, local designers and fashion retail entrepreneurs by supporting business and product development in the District of Columbia. With great anticipation this fashion incubator will be the cornerstone of Washington, DC’s local fashion district by providing support, shared equipment and capacity-building services to local designers and fostering a community of entrepreneurs committed to giving back to their community.

To learn more, visit SiNGA’s website.