Economy

New York City's Last Fabric Flower Factory Marks 110 Years

Illustration for: New York City's Last Fabric Flower Factory Marks 110 Years
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Nov 27, 2025

THE BARE STORY

A family-owned fabric flower manufacturer in New York City’s Garment District, M&S Schmalberg, is celebrating its 110th anniversary. The company is described as the last remaining factory of its kind in the United States, operating as the broader industry has largely shifted production overseas.

The business is run by fourth-generation co-owner Adam Brand and his father, Warren Brand. In a statement, Adam Brand said that while there were once over 400 feather and flower manufacturers in the U.S., his company is the last one practicing the craft. The factory reportedly produces more than 100,000 floral elements each year by starching fabric, cutting it with vintage dies, and assembling the pieces by hand.

The company's hand-made floral creations have gained high-profile visibility, appearing on runways, red carpets, and in television productions like "Bridgerton" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." One report noted that M&S Schmalberg created flowers for 17 celebrities at the 2022 Met Gala, with its pieces having been worn by figures such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Despite this, the family has stated it is not seeking fame. Warren Brand emphasized that the business operates like a family and that they love what they do. Adam Brand added that personal heirloom projects hold a more lasting impact for the company.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Grok

• The domestic fabric flower industry has almost entirely vanished. The article highlights a dramatic decline in this manufacturing sector, noting that the number of U.S. feather and flower manufacturers has fallen from over 400 to just one. This demonstrates that the industry, as it once existed domestically, has collapsed.

• The dominant production model has shifted away from the United States. M&S Schmalberg is described as the last remaining factory of its kind in the country because the broader industry has "largely shifted production overseas." This indicates that economic trends have made offshore manufacturing the standard, leaving domestic, hands-on production as an exception.

• The factory's success is concentrated in a niche, high-end market. The company's visibility comes from serving luxury and entertainment clients, creating pieces for runways, red carpets, and television productions. This focus on a specialized, high-value market contrasts with the mass-production model that likely characterizes the overseas industry.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The activities of this last remaining U.S. fabric flower factory are unlikely to have a direct, significant impact on the general public or consumer markets.

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