Fashion vs. Luxury Housing: The Battle for NYC’s Garment District with Johnathan Hayden
In 1987, New York City created the Special Garment Center District to keep designers and manufacturers together in the heart of Manhattan. Now, nearly four decades later, the same city commission that created this protection is trying to tear it down. On June 18th, the New York City Planning Commission voted to eliminate the special zoning and open the door to residential development in what remains the heart of New York's fashion capital.
Our client, Johnathan Hayden, a womenswear designer based in the Garment District, join SUITED with Kenya Wiley to share his story and discuss how the Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan would impact his career and New York's entire fashion ecosystem. Proximity is fashion power. As Johnathan explains, “the Garment District is the only place in America where the distance between an idea and its execution is within walking distance.”
Is the MSMX plan really about affordable housing, or does it benefit luxury developers while leaving fashion as collateral damage alongside the arts, Lincoln Center and Broadway?
As the plan moves closer to a City Council vote, Johnathan shares concrete ways to save and support the Garment District in the days ahead. All links and resources are below.
Sign the petition to protect NYC's Garment District!
Visit the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition's site for more on the MSMX plan and fashion.
For more on fashion law, politics and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter here.
Thank you, Kenya, for sharing Johnathan’s voice on your platform!
FASHION IN FOUR DIMENSIONS: JOHNATHAN HAYDEN RETURNS TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Johnathan Hayden Returns to New York Fashion Week with Solivagant; A Multi-Sensory Fusion of Fashion, Art, Sound, and Technology
In partnership with Bang & Olufsen, molo Design, and acclaimed fine artists, the designer debuts a two-hour immersive presentation
NEW YORK, NY (August 14th, 2025) On Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM, fashion designer Johnathan Hayden will present his first solo exhibition, Solivagant, during New York Fashion Week. This two-hour standing presentation at G Gallery in SoHo, will transform the venue into an immersive environment inspired by Hayden’s Southwestern roots and personal journey of renewal called, The Mesa Mirage. The Mesa Mirage is Johnatha's vision to create an immersive environment uniting couture craftsmanship, fine art, high-fidelity sound, and sustainable design innovation.
Blending fashion, art, sound, and technology, the exhibition will feature music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Ellen Reid, brought to life through a partnership with premiere sponsor Bang & Olufsen. Known worldwide for their unmatched acoustic craftsmanship, Bang & Olufsen will create an audio landscape designed to mirror the emotional arc of Hayden’s collection, enveloping guests in a narrative they can see, hear, and feel.
The gallery space is reimagined with elements from the soft collection, a modular system of flexible space partitions, lighting, and furniture elements designed by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen for molo Design. Works from fine artists Paul S. Briggs, Preston Sampson, Michele Dragonetti, and Sam LaRocco will further enrich the experience, creating a gallery-meets-runway moment where each discipline amplifies the others.
Solivagant, meaning “wandering alone,” is both a creative statement and a deeply personal milestone for Hayden. It marks his first runway presentation in three years, following a creative pause to reflect, refine, and reconnect. The result is a body of work that speaks to solitude, transformation, and self-actualization.
“Solivagant is about the journey we take when we step away, listen to ourselves, and return transformed,” says Hayden. “By merging couture with sound, space, and fine art, I wanted to create an environment where every sense is part of the storytelling.”
Beyond the runway, Hayden is a vocal advocate for New York’s fashion ecosystem. He was the only designer to testify before the New York City Council in support of protecting the Garment District, contributing to a unanimous vote to safeguard its future. He serves on the governing board of the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition (NYFWDC), working alongside industry peers to strengthen domestic manufacturing and design infrastructure. His advocacy also includes academic leadership, leading research at Parsons School of Design on inclusive design for disability, supported by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)’s education arm.
Hayden’s previous work includes an award from Harlem’s Fashion Row ICON360 (via the CFDA’s Common Thread initiative), a debut at Tokyo Fashion Week, and prior NYFW presentations with Banana Republic and LVMH as premiere sponsors.
Event Details
What: Solivagant — A Multi-Sensory Fashion Exhibition by Johnathan Hayden
When: Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Partners: Bang & Olufsen (Premiere Sponsor), molo Design, Ellen Reid, Paul S. Briggs, Preston Sampson, Michele Dragonetti, Sam LaRocco
Press & Media Contact: Elliot Carlyle | elliot (at) johnathanhayden.com OR press (at) johnathanhayden.comRSVP: www.johnathanhayden.com
About Johnathan Hayden
Johnathan Hayden is a New York-based fashion designer whose work merges couture craftsmanship, cultural narrative, and innovative design thinking. With a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and inclusive storytelling, Hayden’s collections have been featured at Tokyo Fashion Week, in collaboration with LVMH and Banana Republic, and recognized by Harlem’s Fashion Row ICON360. A dedicated advocate for the Garment District and inclusive design, Hayden continues to expand the role of fashion as a platform for both artistry and cultural change.
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