Mayor Fenty is getting attention from all sorts of media these days. An alert tipster sent us an interesting article from Friday’s Women’s Wear Daily, the fashion world’s top industry publication, detailing his initiative to lure retail dollars back to the city. Last week Fenty commissioned a $270,000 study to find new ways to boost local businesses. Most of the article is subscription only and we suspect you’re not a regular reader, but it goes on to praise the District’s efforts to become a “world class city” for shopping and dining.

Harriet Tregoning, director of the Office of Planning, says fashion will play an important role in capturing the over $1 billion spent on goods and services in the surrounding suburbs. Tregoning also notes that several subtle initiatives can encourage economic growth, including wider sidewalks, changes in traffic patterns and direct financial incentives for businesses.

D.C.-proper’s selection of clothing stores has long felt limited to what you can find in Georgetown, but U street and Adams Morgan have recently seen an increase in independent shops offering more ecclectic fashions. Places like Nana and Unsung Designers are creating sorely needed variety in the marketplace. Whether the city’s initiatives work or not (we certainly hope they do), here’s hoping that whatever your taste you’ll find a local business ready and willing to serve up style.

Photo by Flickr user Eye Captain.