In 1996, New York’s Garment Center was accessorized: Adjacent to the district’s informational kiosk, a Volkswagen Beetle-sized button and needle sculpture standing over 30 feet tall was erected. Designed by architect James Biber, the button—had it not had its outsized dimensions—could have very well been sourced from nearby M&J Trimming, the beloved notions emporium frequented by New Yorkers wanting to beribbon, bedazzle, and bepearl their wares.
Opened in 1936, M&J Trimming was part of the fabric of the city’s Garment District, a stalwart storefront of the neighborhood that’s been diminishing as the rise of overseas garment production continues to tick upwards. After nearly 80 years in business, this month, M&J will close its doors.
You could argue you’re not a true “fashion person” unless you’ve made the pilgrimage to M&J: clotheshorse and native New Yorker Lady Gaga even immortalized the trim stores in her 2011 “Marry the Night” video. And it’s practically a rite of passage for fashion students and young designers.
At the back of the store on 6th Avenue and 37th Streets, a room was packed with a delightfully overwhelming assortment of buttons of every color, size, and fabrication, an experience not unlike the final day of Yayoi Kusama’s spot-filled The Obliteration Room at the Tate Modern. Elsewhere, miles of ribbon, beaded trims, and tassels were neatly organized by category. Clean and bright, well-stocked and dazzlingly arranged, M&J always had just what you were looking for—even if it was merely inspiration.
To mark the store’s final days, designers share their M&J memories with Vogue.
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“Some of my first memories of moving to New York and beginning my career in fashion have been with M&J. One of my first sourcing errands as an intern during my freshman year of college was going to M&J to look for grosgrain for the runway show. Almost 20 years later, we still turn to sourcing trims and more at M&J for our recent collection. It will be missed dearly!” —Jonathan Cohen
“I remember being a young, doe-eyed design student at Parsons discovering the garment district. My love of ribbons brought me straight to M&J! It’s a beloved resource for so many creatives in the city, and it’s so sad to see it go.” —Bach Mai