Custom Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in New York City's Garment District that trains, mentors and advocates for and with no- and low-income and immigrant women building careers in the sustainable fashion industry. It was founded and is led by Ngozi Okaro, Founder and CEO. The organization runs three programs.
A Training Institute teaches the technical and professional skills the industry expects; a Business Incubator supports participants who want to start their own labels and companies; and a Worker-Owned Cooperative Development program helps build businesses that the workers themselves own. Its 2025 figures report serving more than 400 individuals annually, with 74% retention across Training Institute cohorts.
The office sits at 253 West 35th Street, in the middle of the district its graduates are preparing to work in, and Custom Collaborative also operates an online shop and accepts donations, both of which support the programs directly. For anyone looking for a New York organization where supporting sustainable fashion also means supporting the women doing the work, this is a direct way in. Shop the collection, make a donation or get in touch today.
Custom Collaborative