Up and Coming... In Rome

La Bella Figura: Unlocking Sustainable Fashion in the Eternal City
From september 14th to october 26th
Sala 1, piazza di Porta San Giovanni 10, Roma
This summer, the gallery will open its doors to the public for a sustainable fashion collection featuring designs by stylist Desiree Townley, tailored by The Sewing Cooperative.
This initiative builds on Sala 1’s previous exhibitions Ripensare la materia exploring the cycles of waste, and Pop-Up Lab with Refugee Tailors, while looking more closely at the relationship of Fashion to the environment and the society around us. 
This collection of ethically sourced, handmade, and found object items, highlights the resources for maintaining La Bella Figura while limiting your environmental impact and supporting artisanal craftsmanship.  Each piece, or scene, is inspired by Rome’s hidden narratives, and highlights unexpected details through clothing, accessories, and related objects. During their visit, the public will have the opportunity to discover the stories of artisans working in Rome, to touch and explore fibers and textures, and finally,  to take away tools which they can use to repurpose, reshape, and source greener fashion in Rome. 
 Desiree Townley is an Eco-conscious Stylist and Personal Shopper specializing in vintage and antiques.  She works with clients to streamline their wardrobe, dress for their lifestyle and source from local artisans.
​The Sewing Cooperative is a social business founded in 2016 by Lydia Witt, a young dressmaker/designer from New York. Through artisanal products and made to measure clothing, The Sewing Cooperative seeks to promote the social and labor integration of refugees and immigrants by recognizing the tailoring skills they bring with them, and helping adapt them to their new context and home. 

During this project, Sala 1 will host several interactive workshops and film screenings to accompany the overall theme of the initiative: embracing socially responsible, sustainable, and artisanal alternatives to fast fashion. One of a kind  pieces, handmade clothing and accessories will be available to the public throughout the exhibition.

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