​​How is the value of a piece of clothing constructed–both materially and conceptually?

​​Presented by the team at Understudy, join us for a conversation with craftspeople, designers, and activists who will share how their work contributes to healing an exploitative and wasteful fashion industry. We will highlight both the innovative and traditional craft practices that creatives in NYC are advancing to create a better future for all participants in the global supply chain.

​​By unpacking the complexities of craft and production, we will foster a deeper understanding of the many steps that go into creating wearable artwork. Our goal is to open up a conversation rooted in hope and collectively imagine a radical fashion world in which labor is valued and respected.

​​Speakers include:

• ​​Tessa Maffucci

• ​​Nathalyn Nunoo

• ​​Liv Ryan

• ​​Moderated by: João Campos

​​What to expect of the evening:

• ​​6pm: Doors - grab a drink and a seat

• ​​6:30pm: Programming starts

• ​​7:15pm: Q+A with audience

• ​​7:30: Post-program conversations & live music

​About the speakers:

​Tessa Maffucci is a teacher, researcher and organizer advocating for ethical fashion economies. She teaches fashion history and theory focusing on the intersections of fashion and labor, with an emphasis on sustainability, technology and material culture. She coordinates the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition (NYFWDC), an advocacy collaborative of New York’s fashion community, including many manufacturers and designers in the Garment District.

​Nathalyn Nunoo is a Brooklyn-based ceramicist, designer, and writer whose work weaves poetry and nature into organic form. She creates ceramic vessels, seating, and jewelry that explore materiality, memory and presence. She also hosts Nest, a writers’ collective; sings jazz; and dreams of beautiful futures for the Black diaspora.

​Liv Ryan is a Brooklyn born multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Redhook, Brooklyn. With a deep knowledge of fine art, fashion, architecture, culinary arts and music, Liv aims to explore the boundaries between mediums. After graduating from Pratt Fashion in 2018, Liv started her studio practice primarily in clothing design. Since then her work has expanded beyond one medium and has become an extension of her lifestyle. Ryan’s multifaceted practice emphasizes sustainability/ eco conscious design with the use of vintage, dead-stock and naturally dyed textiles.

​Moderated by João Campos, a Brooklyn-based, Brazil-born impact strategist with deep connections to the fashion and climate industries. João has spent the last 4 years helping large companies achieve B Corp Certification, measuring and communicating the value of their good practices. Before B Lab, he worked at an innovation consulting firm and in the corporate social responsibility team of India’s largest garment manufacturer. Currently, he works as a model and a freelance consultant, supporting the fashion industry’s transition to more responsible practices.