Screening of Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags

Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags, a HBO documentary, was screened Wednesday evening at the Rayburn Building. The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event, which was hosted by Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.). Watson volunteered to co-chair a Congressional Fashion Caucus along with Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.).

Those who attended the event snacked on chips, soda and candy and watched the documentary about the rise and fall of the U.S. garment industry.

Members of Congress were on hand after the screening for a panel, including Rep.Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). After the Congressmen spoke, there was a panel on job preservation with the director and producer of Schmatta as well as fashion designer Nanette Lepore.

"We are raising levels of awareness in the legislative body about how important this issue is, it's about the values we have as a country," Ryan said.

— Report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

Rep. Dianne Watson (D-Calif.)

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)

Marc Levin, director of "Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags" and Daphne Pinkerson, producer of the documentary

Stan Herman, iconic fashion designer from the '70s and president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Christine Brooks-Cropper, GWFCC president

Allison King, Eric Martins, Alicia Ficalora and Dan Moll

Carolou Goodridge and Maggy Francois of GWFCC

Fashion designer Nanette Lepore

Annie Duffy, Maria Kovar and Carla Mae Chavez

Arthur Lazarus, Jamie Wolf and Gigi Lazarus

Kathleen Beckett of Friends of Fashion in NYC and Steve Kroll

Erick Sanchez and Margot Bolon

Carita Marrow and Maria Shanahan