Fashion Stalks the Runway on The Lower East Side August 17, 2008 Written by Wendy R. Williams Photographed by James Bluck

The Lower East Side (the LES) has always been a fashion district. Early twentieth century immigrants flocked there with their sewing machines, reeking out a living the sweatshops. Today, it is a fashion Mecca with trendy young FIT graduates setting up shop in smart boutiques where they sell clothes in the front and sew them in the back.

New York Cool photographer James Bluck was downtown on August 17th and caught a fashion show held by the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. It was an impromptu affair with no programs, so we do not know the names of the designers in the photographs or the names of the stores (sorry). But we have seen enough to make us want to make another trip (we actually trek the neighborhood all the time) and check out the stores. Enjoy!