New MKE Fashion District banners are now up along Water Street between Clybourn and Michigan Streets.
Milwaukee’s Third Ward has become the clear fashion and arts leader in the past 8-10 years. As early as 2005, one of the leading fashion publications, WWD, highlighted it.
The New York Times and others also have mentioned the neighborhood’s growing fashion activity.
So, it’s good to see that a rise in tides lifts all fashion boats as the stores along Water Street just outside the Third Ward are branding themselves around fashion too.
Seven years ago Clai Green of Luci Boutique and Ronald Krinn, owner of Fred Boutique, opened their stores on Water Street and recently Milwaukeean Patrice Procopio was inspired to create signage around MKE fashion. Procopio also is opening a new boutique on Water Street called Third Coast Style.
"In addition, I will have a gallery space, and a single chair salon for cutting and styling. My store will be called Third Coast Style. This style is not imposed upon us by designers from the East Coast nor is it the weekly fads of the West Coast. This style is a collective reflection of the Milwaukee community living on the Third Coast," said Procopio in a news release.
New banners promoting the MKE Fashion District are flying in front of the stores and boutiques on Water Street. They look good while helping to create a connection to the Third Ward. Eventually, the banners also will fly on portions of Milwaukee Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Boutiques can purchase the MKE Fashion District banners for $150. The new MKE Fashion Association is paying for the banners. The City granted permission to hang the banners.
Creating recognizable areas and neighborhoods works and even though one street does not a make a district it does enhance greater Downtown's appeal and the entrance to the fashion that continues in the Historic Third Ward.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
