Columbus Boosts Fashion Entrepreneurship with New Innovation Hub

Columbus, Ohio, has taken a step to boost its reputation as a national leader in the fashion industry through a strategic partnership between the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) and the Columbus Fashion Alliance (CFA). 

The centerpiece of this collaboration will be The Loom, a 43,000-square-foot fashion innovation hub set to open in a former CCAD building adjacent to the college’s campus in 2026. The new center should provide designers, students, and entrepreneurs with access to professional equipment, mentorship opportunities, and business resources essential for growth and innovation.

According to an announcement by CCAD on their site, this initiative marks a new chapter in enhancing Columbus’s standing as a vibrant fashion destination. “By joining forces with CFA, we’re not only providing our students with greater access to mentorship, resources, and entrepreneurial opportunities, but also making Columbus an even more appealing destination for aspiring designers and young professionals who want to launch their careers”, said CCAD president, Dr. Melanie Corn.

Columbus already hosts a range of fashion-related businesses, including distribution centers, retail headquarters, and production houses. “We are one of the top cities in the nation equipped to grow fashion-based businesses... with The Loom, we’re creating a space that enhances the culture of Columbus and supports emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and brands”, added Yohannan Terrell, founder and director of the Columbus Fashion Alliance. 

The Loom will be more than just a physical working space. The goal is to also offer office and coworking spaces, creative studios, new equipment, event venues, and reportedly a microfactory enabling small-batch production. The intention is to create a comprehensive incubator and cultural hub, providing resources and opportunities to support collaboration among designers, students, and entrepreneurs.

This development aligns with broader investments and initiatives promoting fashion as a key economic sector in the city. Franklin County has invested over $5 million in recent years to boost the fashion industry according to CCAD, which indicates local government commitment to economic growth and innovation through public-private partnerships in that field. The county’s workforce development programs, coupled with initiatives by organizations like CFA, focus on empowering local talent and businesses, ensuring that creative professionals can thrive without relocating. According to their own figures, the CFA has for instance, raised and reinvested $6 million into the community, created over 140 jobs, and served more than 4,700 people through production labs, mentorship, and business development services.

Columbus’s status as a fashion hub is further underscored by annual events such as Columbus Fashion Week, which recently marked its 16th year, drawing over 2,000 attendees. The event showcases both local and national talents, including rising stars like Project Runway alum Joan Madison and major brands who call Columbus home including Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Lane Bryant, and Victoria’s Secret. The opening of The Loom is intended to boost his growing fashion ecosystem, offering year-round resources and collaborative opportunities to expand the city’s influence in the industry.

Beyond fostering economic development, these efforts reflect a cultural commitment by Columbus and Franklin County to support a vibrant, inclusive fashion community. The Columbus Fashion Alliance partners with notable philanthropic and civic organizations - such as the Hannah Wexner Charitable Fund, the Columbus Foundation, and the City of Columbus Department of Development - to champion sustainability and diversity within the sector. Their work recognizes fashion not only as a business but as a form of cultural expression and innovation that contributes to the city’s identity and economy.

The Loom and the ongoing collaborative efforts by CCAD, the Columbus Fashion Alliance, and local government entities may mark a new era for Columbus. They provide a tangible foundation for innovation, cultural development, and economic vitality for the fashion industry in the city, ensuring the city’s place on the national fashion map is both durable and dynamic.