LAUNCHED open house for sustainability synergy
arper l.a. Showroom event collaboration with Gabriel Fabrics | december 7, 2023
While employed as the showroom manager at Arper, I met with fabric library vendors quarterly. Upon one visit with the sales rep from Gabriel, I was inspired by the collection of sustainable textiles made with recycled textiles then fibers that were acquired from their production floors.
We had just released our inaugural Annual Sustainability Report. Noticing that many lounge chairs in our showroom were made from high-content recycled polypropylene and FSC-certified woods, I envisioned combining these chairs with upholstered seat cushions made from sustainable Gabriel fabrics, creating highly eco-friendly products. We showcased these items at an open house event, where they were prominently displayed and conducted engaging conversations to build brand awareness over our steps to address environmental concerns.
Key firms in attendance: Gensler, Smith Group, HDR, Leo A Daly, SOM
the project of saya
RECYCLED EXCESS CHAIR INVENTORY INTO a CREATIVE DESIGN COMPETITION
I brainstormed with the SoCal Business Development Director and conceptualized a design competition for our A&D clients. “The Project of Saya” recycled 30 discontinued Saya chair models while providing a creative outlet for architects and interior designers and enforced an Arper’s brand tenant for culture and creativity.
The redesigned chairs are to be showcased at the annual Art Swagger event in October 2024, which supports Free Arts, an organization dedicated to volunteer-driven arts programs for children in Los Angeles. Having partnered with Art Swagger for the end-of-year party, the showroom will host over 500+ attendees in a single night.
designed full page sustainability ad
in 2015, highlighted new industry standard denim that Reduced Water and Chemical Usage
While employed at TDMI ( LA based denim textile developer/manufacturer), I was able to work on many sustainable and environmentally minded marketing campaigns. We had introduced new wash chemicals and processes that significantly reduced water usage during denim textile production.
I photographed the test tubes to demonstrate the clear difference in the water quality comparing old to new processes. It was a full page ad that ran in the California Apparel News and garnered new clients and industry awareness.
This recaptured lost business from one of our biggest client’s, Levi’s and we secured accounts with Amazon Fashion.
coordinated Semi-Truck of denim scraps donation
COMPANY WIDE EFFORT THAT BOOSTED PRIDE AND MORALE
After just a month at TDMI, I noticed the accumulation of scrap denim pieces that were regularly discarded into a dumpster. The idea of these scraps ending up in a landfill really bothered me. I took the initiative to research Cotton Inc.'s "Blue Jeans Go Green" program and organized a semi-truck full of denim scraps and garments to be donated to the program. Based in Texas, they recycle denim scraps and old jeans into housing insulation, which is used in Habitat for Humanity homes. It was a great team effort and a fulfilling sense of purpose was fostered company wide.