ReFABRICate Designs Debut at FABRIC Tempe
By Lynette Carrington
Local designers showcased zero-waste clothing line ReFABRICate at its debut fashion show last month at FABRIC in Tempe. The line showcased the creative ways that Arizona designers are utilizing cast-off and leftover fabrics to create fun, thoughtful and whimsical fashion pieces that would otherwise wind up in the landfill. The results were stunning.
“A-fashion-ados,” models, designers, make-up and hair artists gathered at Tempe fashion incubator, FABRIC to celebrate ReFABRICate, a clothing line made with scraps donated from the factory cutting floor at Arizona Fashion Source.
Arizona Fashion Source, Labelhorde and Arizona Apparel Foundation supported the project with technical assistance, equipment and tools, and a space to meet and plan. The ReFABRICate fashion show was the culmination event of all the activities during AZ ECO Fashion Week.
“We’re trying to make a zero waste factory, which is unheard of,” said co-founder of F.A.B.R.I.C., Labelhorde, Arizona Fashion Source and the nonprofit, Arizona Apparel Foundation as well as designer Angela Johnson. “We’re manufacturing local and paying people above minimum wage to do that job and it’s a skilled job. Plus, we know what’s happening. It’s not a sweat shop. Why not go to the next level and recycle all the fabrics?”
Arizona Apparel Foundation assists Arizona’s emerging designers and brands with innovative, small batch manufacturing and strategic business resources, so that they can build sustainable fashion businesses locally.
The ReFABRICate designers included:
Astrid Olafsen from RunzWithScissors
Charlotte Wilkins from The COalition for Fashion
Sherry McKenna from Sherry J Designs
Ellen Dayan from Tiger Lily Dress Shop
Mayra Lopez from Mayume Designs
Angelina Martin from Anymystik
Dianna Voisin
Mayume Designs Jewelry
Designers showing their own eco-friendly collections at the ReFABRICate show included:
Christy Fisher
Angela Johnson
Astrid Olafsen of Runzwithscissors
Laura Tanzer
Charlotte Wilkins of ThE COalition for Fashion
Sherry McKenna of Sherry J Designs
Julia Garina
www.azapparelfoundation.org
Photos by Jenny Kaufman
