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 Nigh t” 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. “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 “I feel like M&J was my home base in my early 20s! I would run in there multiple times a day for ideas, inspiration, and details...
at one point I actually lived above the store!” - Stacey Bendet, CEO and creative director of alice + olivia “M&J Trimming was where all our wildest dreams and imaginations came to life, paying homage with its finishing touches of the most exquisite silk ribbons and trims. The neatly tied bows made us feel like life was in order in this chaotic city. The rare buttons that added a characteristic edge to a mundane tailored suit or the feather flourishes that danced with the perfect silk faille mini—it was like a dear friend we turned to when our outfit needed a little pick-me-up.
It breaks my heart to hear that M&J Trimming is closing. It was one of the first places I visited when I was at Parsons and had just arrived in the city knowing no one. It was a place of solace, a palace of dreams, and a home to me.
” —Prabal Gurung “M&J was one of the first trim stores that I ever shopped in New York. The very first time I dressed Lady Gaga, M&J came to the rescue with the most beautiful embroidery that I will never forget—we needed it in two hours, and their team saved us by staying open late so we could finish the look. It's so sad to see it come to an end, like so many important establishments in the garment district.
” —Christian Siriano “It was such a treasure trove for me as I love all the tiny, precious details you could add to a garment. They always had the most exquisite hand-dyed silk ribbons. My favorite section was all of the cords and tassels for interiors–they were so rich and plush and colorful.
You just had to touch everything as you walked through. This was the kind of place where you needed one thing and left with many.” —Patricia Voto, creative director of One/Of “When I first began my millinery brand, I would wander into M&J Trimming to get inspired for the new collection.
At that stage, our volume was on the smaller side, so I could use vintage ribbons as hatbands, and they had the best selections.” —Gigi Burris “When I first moved to New York, I remember making my first pieces. I needed some thick velvet ribbon so I googled ‘trimmings,’ M&J popped up, which immediately reminded me of Gaga’s iconic reference to it in her ‘Marry the Night’ video.
I mozzied on down to the store, and as I walked around looking for ribbon, I spied a huge pageant-esque tiara in a glass cabinet. I was preparing for my debut show at the time, and Paris Hilton was closing it in a floor-length growing sequin gown. At that moment, I knew the pageant tiara was the perfect final touch for the look.
I bought it, sending my debit card into the minus. And it was the best decision I could have made, it made the whole look fabulous. I will always be grateful to M&J for helping me create one of my favorite runway moments and being part of my memories of being a new New Yorker.
” —Christian Cowan “I’ve always been a Garment District trimming store girl. My mother would take me to Tender Buttons (RIP) for buttons and M&J for velvet ribbon. When I started my business, I went to some of the tiny trimming shops closer to my office, but when I finally walked the extra five blocks to go to M&J, I would always go nuts.
I remember leaving there once with pounds of ric-rac trim after intending to just go get a few buttons. Trims are a funny thing; they’re just decorative and sort of frivolous, but they can be the most fun part of making garments.” —Batsheva Hay “Since we often use trims, M&J was one of the first stores we found in the garment district when we started the brand.
It was a place where I felt like a kid in a candy store looking at all the options I never even knew existed!” —Tanner Reese “I am saddened to hear that M&J is closing. It holds a special place in my heart as a go-to destination for unique trims. The memories of browsing through their vast selection and finding the perfect finishing touches for my projects will always stay with me.
M&J has been a source of inspiration and creativity for many in the industry, and its closure marks the end of an era.” —Alejandra Alessandro Rojas.
