Fashion entrepreneur Brandon Blackwood has been selected as one of 15 business leaders serving on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly established Business Advisory Council, giving the fashion industry a voice in discussions about the city’s economic future.
A New Role for the Fashion Entrepreneur
Blackwood, founder and CEO of Brandon Blackwood New York, will bring the perspective of an entrepreneur who built a fashion business in the city. His appointment places a prominent fashion and retail figure alongside executives from finance, technology, real estate, health care, sports and other industries.
The council is intended to provide City Hall with practical feedback from business leaders about the conditions companies need to grow, including infrastructure, talent and regulation.
Blackwood’s New York Perspective
For Blackwood, the appointment represents an opportunity to contribute his experience as a founder operating within New York’s competitive business environment.
The designer has built his accessories label into a recognizable contemporary fashion brand, gaining attention for its handbags and distinctive approach to design. His experience gives the council insight into the challenges facing independent entrepreneurs and consumer brands.
Blackwood said building a business in New York has shown him that the city’s greatest resource is its people, emphasizing the ambition and creativity of New Yorkers. He also expressed his desire to help create an environment where innovative ideas can develop into lasting businesses.
Fashion and Retail Get a Seat at the Table
Blackwood is joined by Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal, providing the council with representation from fashion, retail and digital commerce.
The broader group includes Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, RXR Chairman and CEO Scott Rechler, Northwell Health CEO John D’Angelo, New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, among others.
The diverse membership reflects Mamdani’s effort to bring different parts of New York’s economy into conversations about growth and competitiveness.
