Look Again: Fashion Students Learn Ethical Business through Upcycled Fashion

 

So earlier today, I learned of a pretty innovative project, Look Again (TM), based in Cazenovia, upstate New York, USofA. Based at the fashion program of small liberal arts college, Cazenovia College, this project teaches fashion students in upstate New York hands on business skills in designing and merchandising a line while also creating a local business that gives back to the community. In partnership with Cazenovia-based thrift shop, The Key, fashion students take consignment/thrift charms from the shop, upcycle them, and then sell them as a means of supporting local business/enterprise while getting a taste of what it would be like to set up a fashion shop in Cazenovia. Not all fashion aficianados from the state want or can come down to NYC to upstart their fashion dreams. Some aspire to be mavericks in their own communities.

What a wonderful program. Some day, I hope to be able to bring reciclaGEM to a school/community  and teach ethical fashion merchandising via the lens of upcycle, artesenal fashion. Put it out their in the Universe- now let the manifestation begin!

Peace, love and artesenal, ethical fashion school,
T*

P.s. even Secretary of State of the USofA was digging the project.

Photo Cred: Cazenovia College

Fashion for Social Justice

So on this Christmas afternoon, I found this very interesting article on fashion for social justice. Google "fashion" and more likely than not, even though the industry employs more people than agriculture and is ripe with worker rights violations, pollution and drama galore, "social justice" is probably not the first search result phrase you see- even in this pre-2012 Occupy-World era.

So in light of all this, I'd like to pick out the following passage (as quoted from Alissa Moore, creator of the Nomi Network, an organization that combats sexual slavery in SE Asia by equipping women with the tools of fair trade supported, fashion entrepreneurship),

"I've come to realize that whether we like it or not, we are all consumers caught in the sticky web of globalization. America in particular is defined by its consumer culture. Fashion is a consumer-friendly platform that allows people to publicly declare their identity -- it can be an attempt to control how others perceive you or an opportunity to visually express personal creativity. It can display status and class by reflecting your environment, employment, income, or the company you keep. And although not everyone is aware of the power or intricacies of the fashion industry, it is without a doubt a large part of our daily existence.

I believe that social justice in action is largely about transforming systems of empire into opportunities to bring relief to the oppressed. Currently, fashion seems to be an industry that promotes an unsustainable empire where the haves keep getting richer and the have-nots continue to get abused in the negotiation for a lower bottom line price. But if this industry was re-routed down a road of creating opportunities for equality instead of oppression, the results could be significant. Transparent supply chains being demanded by educated consumers could create a ripple effect of real change."

So before we explore the meaning of "fair trade," consider consumerism at its root. If we are to defend America against the stigma of consumerism, let's address the activities that continue to make it so.

Prior to this article, reciclaGEM had the pleasure of being introduced to a NYC based cooperative called Wishwas, (which means "faith") that has been created to empower non-USofA born, immigrant women in the five boroughs with skills in entrepreneurship, design, and fashion product development to live economically empowered and sustainable lives.  reciclaGEM is incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with this wonderful organization. And they are looking for more designers to collaborate with and lead workshops. If you have technical skills and a big, fabulous soul, please contact Wishwas directly. (And they even create one-of-a-kind pieces from upcycled saris!!)

Continue to have good holiday cheer, and if this is a season for gifting for your loved ones, consider gifts that support the sustainable world that we all want to see :)

Sunday Brunch Program: New Haven

For more info. on Liberty's Sunday Brunch, see below:

Throughout the winter months our homeless community in New Haven comes to our Safe Haven Sunday Brunch when they leave the shelters or the streets. They share a meal and some companionship for a few hours out of the cold and away from the isolation of the streets. The Brunch also offers an opportunity for our trained staff members to introduce our guests to the services that we provide at Liberty and those that are available in the community. It allows us to refer at least three people each week to needed services and ultimately find them permanent housing.

Liberty began the Brunch in 2009 because Sundays are difficult days for our homeless people in New Haven. Agencies that offer services are not open, public buildings are closed and meal programs are limited. Each Sunday we serve up to 100 people a warm, hearty catered meal, served by caring volunteers from our Day Program and Liberty staff in our community room at Safe Haven.

(Source: http://www.libertycs.org/services.htm#SundayBrunch)

Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday :)

Illness is No Joke

Ironically enough, on the day where I am to participate in a wonderful Holiday Bazaar for Liberty Community Service (the Elm City based housing organization that I've been working with), excited and ready to share some custom made reciclaGEM pieces, tea rings and T*Cup Art tea napkins, I find myself in the Emergency Room of Harlem Hospital.

Ironically enough, the day that I am to participate in an event created to support a new Winter Brunch program for New Haven residents who have to deal with illness, homelessness, and physical and emotional pain on a daily, I find myself coming to terms with the limits of my own threshold.

Background on the event: LSC invited reciclaGEM and a number of New Haven and New York based brands to participate in a lovely evening reception with wine, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and a silent auction held at the New Haven Museum, an institution founded almost 150 years ago by New Haven residents who wanted to preserve elements of their community for fear of their legacy being destroyed during the Civil War. Talk about the integration of the city's colonial history with the city's contemporary social reality. Within the walls of an institution built on the importance of remembrance, Liberty has chosen to remind the city's patrons to keep in mind its client and the cause for which World AIDS Day was created in the first place.

The silent auction took place this evening from 5-7pm, and the rest of the Holiday Bazaar, open to the public, will take place tomorrow from 10am until 3pm. This is your moment for supporting both independent retailers and artists, as well as, more importantly, providing brunches and meals for New Haven residents in need this Winter.

While I am saddened that reciclaGEM was unable to be there this evening, the bright lights of Harlem Hospital's ceiling brought something in perspective. While my illness was and remains very temporary, while I am by no means on my death bed, I could only imagine what it must be like to for someone, without family, friends, or a home, living with HIV and or AIDS, feeling pains too excruciating that it interferes with his/her desire to live, must feel like every day. While there are plenty of women and men who continue to live with HIV and AIDS, especially now and who continue to be inspirations in the way they live such full and beautiful lives, a life with HIV and AIDS is by no means an easy road to live. It also re-awakened a painful vision of my very own aunt, L.P, whom I watched spend her final hours fighting the painful deterioration of her body due from AIDS.

That is why supporting Liberty Community Services and other organizations that are in support of people and activities that affirm and support their livelihood is essential! World AIDS Day is not a day, not a weekend, but a conscious reality that all of us should strive to keep in mind anytime we are feeling not our best. It is a conscious reminder to ourselves to use our talents and our artistry for life affirming activities that support not only our families but our fellow humans.

reciclaGEM will be working on a second VIHDA Means Life collection, to be showcased on June 10, 2012 (save the date and stay tuned for more details). I have a newfound perspective on this collection. And I am thankful for today for reaffirming that awareness.

Events that you can support this weekend:

Project Holiday-Liberty Community's Services' Holiday Bazaar in support of their Winter Brunch Program. Saturday Dec. 3. 10-3pm. New Haven Museum (114 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511)

Many Women, One Voice: African American Women and HIV: Video Premeire and Community Discussion. Sunday Dec. 4, 2-4pm. Abyssinian Baptist Church (132 Odell Clark Place / 138th between Lenox and Adam Clayton Powell BLVD, New York).

Thank you for reading :)

Project Broadway Costumes Week 1: Success!

For this first week, before the official start of MYOwn Image, we were given the challenge of rummaging through a costume closet filled with old Rocky Horror costumes and XXL polka dot dresses from the 80s and creating costumes with nothing but a set of safety pins for 18 fabulous young actors of Playhouse on the Green's program, Project Broadway, for which MYOwn Image will be designing and producing costumes.




Each Project Broadway production is created and conceived by the young actors themselves (ranging K-8th grade), under the guidance of rotating teaching artist professionals. For this first week, the actors of Project Runway created a Bridgeport ode to the Emerald City (i.e. "New York") under the title of Broadway to Broadway.

Here were some of the results!

Youth Program: MYOwn Image: Starting July 14, 2010

In partnership with RYASAP, reciclaGEM will be organizing a Bridgeport based Youth costume design and modeling workshop that explores healthy relationships through healthy images.