Well, that is one of many structural changes that is happening within Detroit's economic transformation. In a recent article in CNNMoney it discusses how the city of Detroit is trying to reinvent itself in the aftermath of the once vibrant Detroit based auto industry. It is pursuing the idea that innovation is within its reach. There is a focused drive to look at how the existing talents can be reinvented to take advantage of a new economy, as opposed to dwelling on the past. City planners are reaching out to the city's "creative minds and craftsmen" to bring about a new and growing field in "fashion", and shifting Detroit's paradigm toward a new prescribed method. Their plan is to tap into the creative expertise of former auto designers. Instead of designing cars why not put that talent to use in another way, so why not in fashion? The article contends that these car designers already have an eye toward fashion, and "understand the principles of design", so why not come up with different ways to re-innovate Detroit.
With the growing public support for "made in the USA" products, this seems like the perfect opportunity for local designers to show off their creations. A laid off auto worker, Jenna Kator, is now designing her own line of handbags. Each of her handbags are named after a Michigan city. She will be showcasing her collection in a Detroit Fashion Week show. Jenna states that as "everyone thinks of Detroit as automotive, we need to be known for more than that".
With Detroit's low overhead costs, the up and coming entrepreneur can help to bring about new industry as there are many new entry level opportunities given the depressed level of Detroit's economic condition. It seems to me that what needs to happen in Detroit, is not just a shift in a economic paradigm, but also a shift in the City's social paradigm; that diversity is an inherent strength that also must be addressed. S0, the good news is that there is more affordable housing available for many of these innovators than ever before, where profits can be in their reach in new business opportunities. This could become the basis of a truly new beginning for what was once our fourth largest and greatest city.
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