PRESS RELEASE: The Future of Fashion is Circular

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

April 25, 2018

Media Contacts: Susanne Harm (512) 974-9087

Austin Resource Recovery Media Line (512) 974-1800

 

The Future of Fashion is Circular

Sustainable fashion events converge April 28 – May 6

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The City of Austin continues to demonstrate its local commitment to promoting a more circular economy by supporting several events dedicated to encouraging the purchase, use, or donation of reusable, reclaimed and remanufactured fashion.

The City of Austin and the BARD MBA Net Impact Chapter bring you The Future is Circular: A Sustainable Fashion Symposium, an educational event with Eileen Fisher RENEW and Miranda Bennett Studio. The event features leading sustainable fashion designers, local small businesses, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and a global non-profit who are working toward reversing the environmental impacts of “fast fashion.” According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the textile industry’s share of the carbon budget is set to increase from 2% to 24% by 2050 if steps are not taken to reverse current trends.

The Future is Circular: A Sustainable Fashion Symposium

Friday, May 4^, 2018   3-5 PM

Location: Austin Tinkering School 1122 Airport Blvd

Free Admission

RSVPs requested at: http://sustainablefashionatx.eventbrite.com

Agenda:

3:00 pm- Event Begins

3:30 PM: Fireside Chat on Circular Design with Miranda Bennett of Miranda Bennett Studio and Lilah Horowitz, the creative lead for Eileen Fisher RENEW and hosted by Cory Skuldt of Bard Sustainability MBA and the Net Impact Wear it Wise campaign

4:00 PM – Circular Innovators Lightning Talks, including:

• Dell’s Circular Collection with Bayou with Love: Computer parts recycled into jewelry designed by Nikki Reed
• Open Arms: Social enterprise for the Multicultural Refugee Coalition employs refugee women in manufacturing sustainable sewn goods, including a line of repurposed home decor for IKEA.
• Classic Childhood: Online European-style children’s clothing boutique upcycling scrap fabric and men’s shirts into baby rompers and accessories
• T-Shirts for Hunger: Travis County program that employs county inmates to sew used T-shirts into reusable bags for Travis County Community Center food pantries
• TREDAGAIN: Local footwear brand using upcycling tires
• KenzerQuest: 80s and 90s clothing upcycled into modern pieces by 15-year-old entrepreneur
• Paleo Denim: Austin manufacturer making selvedge denim jeans on reconditioned sewing machines, offering repair & hemming services
• Textile Exchange: A global non-profit working to reduce the textile industry’s impact on the world’s water, soil and air, and the human population

A networking reception hosted by Net Impact will follow the event.

The Future is Circular symposium is part of Austin’s first Sustainable Fashion Week! The week’s events kick off Saturday, April 28 with Fashion Revolution ATX and conclude with the Remake Runway at the Maker Faire on May 6^th. Austinites can also visit an open studio with Miranda Bennett Studio and a pop-up shop in the 2^nd Street District with Eileen Fisher RENEW, a repaired and repurposed fashion line, during the week. Visit http://sustainablefashionatx.com for more information.

“We’re proud to showcase national leaders and local innovators who are paving the way for a more sustainable fashion industry,” said Natalie Betts, Recycling Economic Development Program Manager with Austin Resource Recovery & the Economic Development Department. “Austin’s fashion sector is an important contributor to our local economic vitality and is critical for moving toward a more circular economy.”

Find more ways to participate and achieve Zero Waste in Austin by visiting Austin Resource Recovery and Like Us on Facebook to share your own reuse ideas!

————————————————————– ###   ———————————————–