What does Custom Collaborative do?

Custom Collaborative is a nonprofit organization based in New York City, dedicated to entrepreneurship and workforce development in the sustainable fashion industry. Founded in 2014 by Ngozi Okaro, the organization focuses on training, mentoring, and advocating for no/low-income and immigrant women, helping them build skills for economic success in fashion and beyond. The organization operates through three main programs: the Training Institute, which offers a comprehensive 14-15 week program in garment construction and entrepreneurship; the Business Incubator, which supports graduates in executing business plans and provides mentorship; and Fashion That Works, a worker-owned cooperative that offers production services while ensuring fair wages and profit-sharing for its members. Custom Collaborative emphasizes sustainability by using donated and recycled fabrics, promoting ethical manufacturing, and fostering race equity within the industry.