Common Thread Shops on Third, Celebrates One Year Anniversary, and Welcomes Two New Tenants With First Project Runway Pop Up Shop

The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), Columbus Fashion Council (CFC), and IL Moda Brands announced today that they are marking the one-year anniversary of the opening of Common Thread Shops on Third, the first fashion and retail district in Downtown Columbus, with a block party for the Central Ohio community. The One-Year Anniversary Block Party takes place on October 20, 2023 from 5:30 – 8:30pm at the Common Thread Shops, which is located at 257 South Third Street in Columbus, Ohio, and the public is invited.

The One-Year Anniversary Block Party also serves as the grand opening for two new tenants at Common Thread Shops: By Field and Flower by vegan, waterproofed hatmaker Brooke Denune, and Haitian-American Mixed Media Artist Ludie Senatus. They join six original brands at Common Thread Shops including Alex Vinash New York,  Encinas Designs, Xantha Ward, Joan Madison Couture, White Canvas Designs & Holistic Wellness.The Block Party is also the first stop on the nationwide traveling pop up shop series called Prajjé Oscar and Friends, presented by IL Moda Brands. The pop up shop will feature ready-to-wear and couture designs from at least four contestants who starred alongside Prajje Oscar on Project Runway All Stars. Prajjé was the Headline Designer at Fashion Week Columbus last month.

The shops located at Common Thread feature local and national labels that were incubated and launched in Columbus and showcase products that include contemporary men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, homeware, lifestyle, giftables, and more. CDDC and CFC continue their collaboration to bring this one-of-a-kind shopping experience to Downtown Columbus, a key priority from the recent Downtown Strategic planning process.

“A successful downtown includes a strong retail market and when we talked with the community for the 2022 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, bringing additional and diverse retailers was on the top of the wish list,” said Amy Taylor, President of CDDC. “We took this goal to heart and Common Thread Shops on Third is the first step in a strategy to activate our Downtown storefronts. We look forward to celebrating this one-year anniversary!”

One-Year Anniversary Block Party Attendees Will Enjoy:

* Gift with purchase at select stores

* Give-aways in 257 S Third Street throughout the night

* Champagne and soft drinks at 257 S Third Street

* Live DJ

* Food & Dessert Trucks

* Opportunity to meet the designers

* Small bites in each store

* Fashion activation

* Parking in the Commons garage, just behind the stores on Rich Street. Parking validated with  any purchase at Common Thread Shops

“The success and growth of Common Thread Shops in just one year shows that Columbus is ready to support local small fashion designers,” said Lubna Najjar, President of the Columbus Fashion Council and CEO of IL Moda Brands. “It is very rewarding to introduce two new brands to the fashion district, and we look forward to continuing to support their business growth in a variety of ways. We are excited to celebrate all of the shops at Common Thread, the Columbus community who have shopped here over the last year, and to meet newcomers to Columbus’ fashion and retail district at the block party.”

Columbus is third in the nation for the number of resident fashion designers located in the city, behind only New York and Los Angeles. Common Thread Shops on Third allows a number of designers to locate together and complement each other in a mutually beneficial way.

This one-year anniversary comes just a few weeks after Fashion Week Columbus, the flagship program for the Columbus Fashion Council which took place September 24-30.

For more information, please visit https://www.commonthreadshopson3rd.com.

About Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC)

Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) is a private, non-profit development corporation with a mission to lead city-changing projects in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. CDDC served as the Master Developer for the Columbus Commons project, an award-winning, mixed-use development, and redeveloped the 700,000 square-foot Lazarus Office Building. Currently, CDDC is leading the effort on The Peninsula and has selected development partners to execute the vision for an active, mixed-use 18-hour district. In addition, CDDC developed key placemaking spaces such as the Scioto Mile and Dorrian Green, as well as cultural institutions like the first-ever satellite location of the American Museum of National History at COSI and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

About IL Moda Brands

IL Moda Brands is a full service brand development agency that specializes in brand management, product development, manufacturing, and wholesale sales within the fashion industry. Established in 2013, IL Moda has worked with hundreds of brands around the USA to develop lines, open stores and cultivate as well as develop emerging brands by providing resources and guidance.

About Columbus Fashion Council

As a non-profit 501(c)(3) status organization, the Columbus Fashion Council’s mission is to provide scholarships to fashion design students and a platform for local fashion designers. Our vision is to expand the fashion economy in Central Ohio through a combination of industry growth initiatives, community organizations support, funding access opportunities, and creative program development. We strive to nurture and develop the fashion community to keep our fashion talent living and working in Central Ohio.