Join the NYC FTC Fam for an evening of sharing, snacking, and connecting with liked-minded individuals. We'll start with a short presentation on DfE (Design for the Environment), move on to sharing upcoming opportunities and events, and follow up with short, sweet, and to the point presentations from a few members.
Members attend for free.
Non-members $10.
Students reach out for free tickets.
RSVP
About NYC Fair Trade Coalition:
The NYC Fair Trade Coalition offers a unique educational experience for ethically-aligned businesses, students of sustainability, and advocates by creating space to incubate and activate local communities.
About Kent State:
The NYC Fashion program is a Study Away location for the highly ranked School of Fashion at Kent State University. Our mini-campus in the Garment District offers undergraduate curriculum and programming to approximately 150 fashion students a year. While studying at the NYC Fashion Study Away location for a semester, students are instructed by NYC-based faculty whose extensive professional experience creates a unique learning environment where practical knowledge complements theoretical education and allows the city to be the experiential classroom. Students also have the opportunity to participate in prestigious internships, exclusive guest lectures, industry receptions, and recruiting and networking events with local alumni.
Presentations by:
Made by Mena - high-end recycled fashion brand based in New York. The brand consists of recycled garments that are all deconstructed using a traditional cut & sew method. The mastermind behind the brand is Chris Mena. Mena is a master of destruction and reconstruction. He is the pioneer in the luxury recycling industry. Mena uses patchwork as well as a completely deconstructed look with all his garments. Having made his first debut in New York Fashion Week, he immediately caught attention of many different outlets, including HighSnobiety, and later made an appearance on America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). With support from many different private clientele, Mena has been able to bring his brand to life, by creating custom garments worn by models and influencers around the globe.
Art to Ware - Founded by Lesley Ware in 2021, Art to Ware (A2W) is a woman-of-color-owned and women-run small business at the intersection of art and fashion. Art to Ware
carries small-batch, socially conscious, upcycled, and locally-made and-designed wearables and gifts, with a focus on handmade items and ethical production. A2W curates an environment of creativity, acceptance, and collaboration within a dynamic retail setting: a place where artists designers
, and creative visionaries can showcase their work and where anyone can stop by to visit, shop, and be inspired by the one-of-a-kind pieces in our space.
A. Bernadette - Andrea is an experienced community organizer running the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, a 501(c)3 which grew from 20 business members to 100 business members and over 100 fair trade advocates under her leadership. She is also the founder of A. Bernadette, a consultancy firm which mentors entrepreneurs, small businesses and students on how to include more sustainable practices into their business and lives. She is an adjunct instructor at LIM College teaching sustainability and the future of fashion, global sourcing and is a published author with Bloomsbury Publishing. She runs the Sustainable Fashion Community Center, a swap shop, gift shop, and learning center focused on providing holistic solutions to leading a more sustainable lifestyle.
