NiRo Design Center (NDC), LLC was established by two designers, the creators of NiRo Couture, an established women’s wear line and retail store. Inspired by their personal experiences as teenagers having a wealth of artistic abilities and no forum to express them, they decided to create an entrepreneurship program that would give young adults an outlet to turn their creativity into a profitable career and/or business. NiRo Design Center, creators founded their program with an “outside-of-the-box” approach of mixing entrepreneurship and vocational skills development in a way that no other program has done before.

THE FUTURE OF FASHION
The fashion industry in its broadest definition ranks among the largest industries in our economy both globally and locally. The variety of its occupational activities and career opportunities, and the different types of skills used in design production, merchandising, and maintenance of textile and apparel products, makes for the employment opportunities of an individual that possessing interests’, abilities and educational preparation endless. The increasing interest in fashion, coupled with the impact of technological developments in this industry promises growing occupational opportunities for those who are educationally prepared.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
NDC founders developed a curriculum that is both educational and interactive. Participants will begin each class with a lecture, demonstration, and/or explanation. At this time our participants are challenged to take notes, ask questions, and participate completely. After the participant shows a basic understanding of the days’ theme, they are able to take what they have learned and put it into action. Our curriculum is full of “hands on” activities that will allow students to challenge and expand their skill level. At the close of each class students have the opportunity to share and present what they worked on, critique their work, evaluate the workshop and have a Q/A session with instructors. Students will move through learning modules of core training, specialized skills development, simulated work environment and internships and job development. Through these modules each student will have an opportunity to gain the confidence and learn the skills necessary to enter the workforce and become self-sufficient positive contributors to their respective communities.

SERVICES
• Professional Development
• Fashion / Design/ Vocation/ Trade
• Business & Entrepreneurship
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• Juvenile Programs
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• Rainbow Room
• Birthday Parties

• Respite
• Tutoring
• Behavior Modification Services

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THE CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY
NiRo Design Center is a part of and privy to the support of the Downtown Hartford Business Consortium consisting of downtown retailers, restaurants, hotels and private financial institutions. NiRo collaborates with the Connecticut Community College System and Vocational Schools, area four-year Universities and Colleges, the Greater Hartford Arts and Theatre community, the Hartford Public School System, Hartford Public Library, and the City of Hartford. As a next step for participants enrolled in our programs, positions will be developed in the areas of management, retail, sales, customer service careers, administration, tailoring, fashion merchandising and garment care.

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
• Artist Collective
• Asylum Cafe
• Boys and Girls Club
• Blue Hills Civic Association
• Capitol Region Education Council
• Capital Community College
• Capital Workforce Partners
• Channel 30
• Channel 61
• City of Hartford Youth Services
• Community Partners in Action
• Connecticut Forum/ Connecticut Youth Forum
• Connecticut Youth Services Association
• Connecticut Works (DOL)
• Department for Children & Families
• ESPN
• Hartford Courant
• Hartford Stage Company
• Hartford Symphony
• Greater Hartford Alliance for Black Social Workers
• Greater Hartford Boys and Girls Clubs
• Greater Hartford Arts Council
• Greater Hartford Salvation Army
• Manchester Community College
• Manchester Youth Service Bureau
• Mi Casa
• Montley Beup
• Our Piece of the Pie
• Star Mentoring
• Strive Hartford/ Sand Corporation
• The Russell
• True Colors
• Urban League of Greater Hartford
• Village for Children and Families
• Wadsworth Athenaeum