Race and the intersection of sustainability: While much of fashion is course correcting and reworking its production praxis and textiles for a more sustainable future, we haven’t as of yet tackled the issue of race and environmentalism. All too often the most vulnerable communities to the fallout of pollution are those of color. Like all of society, the issue of environmentalism is stratified along racial lines and in order to create a brighter future for all, we must expand the dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion with this sphere.
Host:
Marjon Carlos, Guest Editor
Guests:
Abrima Erwiah, Co-Founder and Director of Studio One Eighty Nine, and Founder of Fashion Our Future
Abrima Erwiah (based between Accra and New York), with actress and activist Rosario Dawson, is the co-founder of Studio One Eighty Nine, an artisan produced fashion lifestyle brand and social enterprise that has recently won the prestigious CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability. The brand is made in Africa and produces African and African-inspired content and clothing. Studio 189 works with artisanal communities that specialize in various traditional craftsmanship techniques including natural plant based dye indigo, hand-batik, kente weaving and more. Studio 189 focuses on empowerment, creating jobs and supporting education and skills training.
Erwiah is also the founder of Fashion Our Future. She also teaches an undergraduate BFA course called “Systems & Society” at Parsons School of Design at the New School. She was an advisor to the United Nations International Trade Center Ethical Fashion Initiative and as the Global Associate Communications and Marketing Director and Worldwide Social Media Director at Bottega Veneta (Kering Group).
Race and the intersection of sustainability: While much of fashion is course correcting and reworking its production praxis and textiles for a more sustainable future, we haven’t as of yet tackled the issue of race and environmentalism. All too often the most vulnerable communities to the fallout of pollution are those of color. Like all of society, the issue of environmentalism is stratified along racial lines and in order to create a brighter future for all, we must expand the dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion with this sphere.
Rachael Wang, New York Based Stylist and Creative Consultant
Rachael Wang is a New York based stylist and creative consultant. She previously served as Fashion Market Director of Style.com and Fashion Director of Allure where she collaborated with some of the most influential talents in the industry. Her fashion direction can be seen in collaborations with brands like Bergdorf Goodman, Bottega Veneta, Levi's, Nike, Nordstrom and Saks and in her inspired editorials for Document Journal, Telegraph, Office, ELLE and international editions of Numero and Vogue. Rachael is an advocate for bringing sustainable and responsible practices into the high fashion space and in 2017 she founded Rachael Wang Studio where she continues to focus on bringing ethics and thoughtful representation to creative and fashion direction.
Tracy Reese, Designer and Founder of Hope for Flowers
Tracy Reese is an American designer and design philosophy is rooted in a commitment to bringing out the beauty in women of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tracy Reese launched her namesake fashion brand in 1998 in New York City and over the past twenty plus years, she has expanded to include three sub-brands (Plenty, Frock! And Black Label).
A member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America since 1990, Tracy Reese serves on its Board of Directors. Tracy also serves on the boards of NEST Artisan Guild and College for Creative Studies Fashion Accessories Design Program.
Tracy recently moved her design studio to her hometown, Detroit, actively participating in plans to make Detroit a modern, sustainable garment production hub. Tracy is president of the board of ISAIC, the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, a Detroit based, industry shifting factory and Institute anchored in human-centric manufacturing. Tracy is also working to build an artisan studio in Detroit creating economic opportunities for women in under-served communities. In 2019, Tracy launched Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese, a responsibly designed and produced collection. Part of HFF’s mission is to create positive social impact by empowering women and young people through arts programming in public schools and collaboration with local artisans in Detroit.
Watch the episode on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76sNSRNymWQ
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
