What should the government be doing about fashion?  A lot, if you ask designer Nanette Lepore.  Recently, she and several other designers, politicians, lobbyists and economists held a meeting in Washington DC to discuss the necessity of a Fashion Caucus in Congress.

In particular, the designers believe that the government should be doing more to protect the intellectual property rights on their designs, a subject that has become increasingly important as knock-offs become more and more realistic, and thus more and more profitable.  Other issues included the need to create “enterprise zones” to foster local talent, and protection of the New York “garment district,” which is apparently in danger of being overtaken by condos.

In introducing the group, Christine Brooks-Cropper, president of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce said,

“This caucus isn’t about the image of fashion, it’s about the business of fashion.”

Lepore is looking for support from other big-name designers like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, who need

“to realize that they’re still there, their design rooms are still there, and they should be helping support this cause.”

The Fashion Caucus hopes to achieve such awareness and support.