In response to a rise in U.S. textile waste, egregious labor practices in the garment industry, and an opportunity to make a difference in our local community, the 25th Street Collective (25C) will be launching a “Re-Purpose with Purpose” series of workshops. In conjunction with Oakland’s Art Murmurama, the event will take place Saturday, May 19th, 2012 from 7pm – 10pm at the Collective’s 6,000 sq. ft. vintage warehouse space at 477 25th Street in Oakland’s UPtown Arts District, between Telegraph and Broadway (near the 19th street BART station).
Highlighting the lifecycle of a t-shirt and diverting a portion of the 9 billion pounds of textiles that ends up in the landfills annually, attendees will be given the opportunity of creating to create their own up-cycled or re-fashioned garments. With a suggested donation of $25 or more, guests will be able to pull from second-hand garments donated by Crossroads Trading Co., and, assisted by onsite seamsters, re-design them into something new. As an added bonus, a $50 gift certificate to Crossroads Trading Co. will be awarded to the best re-fashioned design. The “Purpose” part of the event offers workshop participants the opportunity to support the 25C’s goal to partner with local non-profits working with women and children experiencing trauma in their lives and provide a safe and healing place to come and sew.
In addition to the “Re-Purpose With Purpose” portion of the event, 25C will be hosting a sustainable marketplace featuring the slow-fashion designers of the 25C as well as other local artisans and their fashion, food vendors, accessories, and housewares, along with live music and wine tasting by Two Mile Wines.- a slow food company based in Oakland, CA.
YOU CAN RSVP ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/events/311093805632361/
The 25th Street Collective, founded by designer Hiroko Kurihara, is a collaborative of slow-food and slow-fashion artisans practicing local, ethical manufacturing, and innovative resourcefulness. Offering creative studios, a storefront gallery, wine bar, workshops, and edu-tainment events, this Oakland-based incubator is home to fine fashion and food artisans up-and-coming in the Bay area.
The 25th Street Collective website: http://www.25thstreetcollective.com
For more information about the 25th Street Collective, or to be considered for membership, please contact: Hiroko Kurihara– info@25thstreetcollective.com
