Garment District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Willi Smith

Fashion Walk of Fame

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 16, 2012

1. Willi Smith Marker

Inscription. Willi Smith was inspired, he said, not by Paris but by Sunday church in Harlem. His WilliWear line, founded in 1976, was characterized by loose silhouettes in brightly colored fabrics. Exuberant and witty, his clothes were sophisticated, yet inexpensive. Signature garments, such as violet linen blazers and loose cotton separates, appealed to both men and women. His “street couture” had a significant impact on fashions in the 1980s.

Erected 2002.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 45.196′ N, 73° 59.335′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was in the Garment District. It could be reached from Seventh Avenue. This marker is located in the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue between West 37th Street and West 38th Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 515 7th Avenue, New York NY 10018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in New York City.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. within walking distance of this location: Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Other markers no longer nearby. Lilly Daché (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Perry Ellis (was a few steps

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from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Mainbocher (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Norman Norell (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Claire McCardell (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Halston (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Rudi Gernreich (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Donald Brooks (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Ralph Rucci (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Anne Klein (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Ralph Lauren (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Fashion Walk of Fame (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Bonnie Cashin (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Calvin Klein (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Giorgio Di Sant’Angelo

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 16, 2012

2. Willi Smith Marker

(was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Diane von Furstenberg (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker, and all other markers in the series, are currently (July 2020) missing. A 2019 posting on the Garment District Alliance website says “The Walk of Fame has been removed for redesign”.

Also see . . . Willi Smith. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on April 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional keywords. fashion designer

Photographed by Larry Gertner, unknown

3. Willi Smith

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 711 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on April 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.