Conscious Fashion & Innovation Through Technology and Sustainability. Our NYFW Celebration

Berkeley College NYC student volunteers!

Hello Dear Reader! IFD and media sponsor Raine Magazine came together to host a high-energy and community-building NYFW Conscious Fashion Event. If you are new to Inside Fashion Design, we are all about community and NYFW is the perfect time (and excuse) to bring like-minded humans together! We love hosting events and the energy it brings - providing opportunities for connecting, sharing, enjoyment while learning, and expanding our scope. This event was no different...we brought together industry experts, visionaries, and conscious trendsetters & students to celebrate the fusion of fashion, technology, and sustainability. Held at The Delancey rooftop venue in Manhattan, attendees networked, exchanged thoughts, heard from our featured guests, and acquired meaningful perspectives on the impact of conscious design and technology on the fashion sector.

Red Carpet Moments and Conscious Fashion

The event opened with a "Conscious red carpet walk, where attendees showcased their most stylish, conscious fashion looks. The evening's sustainability and mindful fashion theme was on full display, from couture to vintage and upcycled pieces. There was a wonderful energy as industry peers and "Rainemakers" celebrated the diversity and creativity of conscious style, setting an inspiring tone for the night. One attendee explained how she created her dress from drapes, just that very morning!

Engaging Discussions and Inspiring Conversations

Here at IFD we enjoy bringing together community, in-real-life to bridge the gap between industry pros, young professionals and students, all while having a good time! There was cocktails and Spanish inspired hors d'oeuvres along with our featured industry experts sharing their knowledge and advice for achieving a more sustainable industry. The conversation revolved around how conscious design and technology can work hand-in-hand to shape a more sustainable future for fashion.

Our Featured Guests:

These prominent global Fashion Industry Experts shared their insights on integrating sustainability in both their physical and digital collections.

Special Guest Siamanda Chege of Bebe Ravi

Siamanda Chege, the creator of Bebe Ravi and The Chege Village Foundation, and a former fashion model, who shared her commitment to social enterprise in Africa and her best practices from her brand.  She employs local artisans, 300 women, many of whom are HIV widows in her hometown of Nakuru, Kenya to create fair trade,handmade products that are both high-quality and eco-friendly.  (from Raine Magazine. Written by Karleen Hemrick https://rainemagazine.com/fashion/redefining-fashion-highlights-from-nyc-digital-fashion-week-2024)

Special Guest Nova Lorraine, Author and Founder Raine Magazine

Nova Lorraine, an award-winning futurist and fashion designer, Nova Lorraine, a multidisciplinary creative, futurist and award-winning designer from Jamaica.  Nova captivated our attention, presented a Generative Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven couture runway show under her HOUSE OF  NOVA brand, merging augmented reality and blockchain technology with traditional craftsmanship. Fashionistas were transported to the virtual runway on the streets of Paris.  Nova Lorraine’s avant-garde designs pushed the boundaries of digital fashion, showcasing the union of technology and couture and offered a transformative glimpse into the future of the fashion industry, as more people interact in virtual spaces today.  She fuses culture, technology and fashion in storytelling.  Nova Lorraine was also on hand to introduce and sign her latest book, “The Jockey on the Horse”, informing how creatives and others can thrive in the age of AI. (from Raine Magazine. Written by Karleen Hemrick https://rainemagazine.com/fashion/redefining-fashion-highlights-from-nyc-digital-fashion-week-2024)

Special Guest Ajay Shrivastav of Fempowerment

Ajay Shrivastav; Founder of Fempowerment and Ginger Blu Ajay Shrivastav, highlighted how his brand empowers underprivileged women to attain economic independence by providing them with skills to create eco-friendly products, using indigenous fabrics and traditional techniques. He highlighted the social impact of these efforts,explaining that just “30 dresses” could support an artisan’s entire family for a year in India. (from Raine Magazine. Written by Karleen Hemrick https://rainemagazine.com/fashion/redefining-fashion-highlights-from-nyc-digital-fashion-week-2024)

Catherine Roggero-Lovisi; Board member The World Collective Executive Board Member at Positive Planet US, CEO of Modern Meadows, a biotechnology company merging material science and biology for global wellness. Catherine is originally from France. An industry veteran who has held senior executive leadership positions in various companies like L'Oréal,Revlon and Christian Louboutin. She discussed her innovative approach to creating “green” eco-friendly, sustainable products and textiles, without animals or excessive chemicals, emphasizing minimal environmental impact while maintaining product performance and quality. ( from Raine Magazine. Written by Karleen Hemrick https://rainemagazine.com/fashion/redefining-fashion-highlights-from-nyc-digital-fashion-week-2024)

Surprise Guest: Reverend Paul Sladkus

Reverend Paul surprised us with his uplifting words, sharing The Good News Broadcast and The International Day of Peace activities. It was a pleasure to have him join us and share the good work he is doing.

Swag, Raffle Prizes, and Networking

IFD cant do an event without goodies and give-aways! Throughout the night, guests had the chance to win raffle prizes and receive curated swag bags filled with sustainable goodies. We love providing tokens of appreciation and spreading the love! The networking opportunities were plentiful, as attendees exchanged ideas and formed connections that will continue to propel the movement toward a more sustainable future. I enjoy so much hearing about attendees connecting and arranging coffee and zoom meet ups to continue the connecting and conversations!

Leaving Empowered

Our goal is for every participant to depart feeling empowered and reinvigorated in their motivation and dedication to the concept of conscious design. By acquiring new viewpoints and understanding on utilizing technology, circularity, and ethical methods, attendees will help us move forward in creating a sustainable influence in the fashion sector.

We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated individuals who form the backbone of our events - our valued community members, enthusiastic attendees, eager students, supportive schools, and selfless volunteers. It is their unwavering commitment, passion, and hard work that truly elevate our events and make them a resounding success.

Our community members bring a sense of unity and belonging, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all who participate. The attendees infuse our events with energy and excitement, making each moment memorable and engaging. Students attendees, with their thirst for knowledge and eagerness to learn, inspire us to continually strive for excellence and innovation in the events we offer.

We are so fortunate to collaboration with schools and industry organizations. This not only enriches the educational aspect of our events but also fosters a sense of partnership and cooperation within the broader community. The invaluable contributions of our dedicated collaborators & volunteers, who generously offer their time, skills, and support, are the cornerstone of our success, embodying the true spirit of service and altruism.

These individuals create a diverse, creative, and positive atmosphere at our events. Their teamwork and collaboration show the power of coming together for a shared purpose to achieve extraordinary things. We appreciate you!!!

Thank you from me!

Until Next Time

The NYFW Conscious Fashion Event was a tremendous success, inspiring and motivating everyone to drive positive change in the industry. Thank you to all our guests, panelists, and partners for making this evening unforgettable. Stay tuned for more events as we continue our journey toward a conscious and innovative future in fashion!

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