Hello and Goodbye, April
Quick recap what happened during my storm of Earth Month, also known as San Francisco Climate Week.
By the time you read this, dear readers, the month of May might have already started. Yet at this time of writing, I still have less than a couple hours left of April 2025, and I decided to do this quick newsletter to make up for lack of written content this month.
I could’ve sworn that I published a note in April 20th, stating that there’s simply no way for me to write two articles anymore. Not with everything that’s going on with Rethink the Runway, the sustainable fashion initiative I lead. Between April 18th and 25th, we were producing 7 events. Many of these events involve including Fafafoom Studio — as I’m writing event recap posts in the coming weeks, I will cross-post them to this newsletter.
Outside of Rethink the Runway events, I also was involved in other engagements - some already decided months prior, and some was a last-minute invitation.
So for this quickly-assembled newsletter article, let me list the events I got to organize or be a part of during SF Climate Week, in the last full week of April. It really was a storm of a week - nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
April 18th: Half-Day Retreat Exploring Food & Fiber Systems at Fibershed Learning Center
This retreat - planned as Rethink the Runway’s first SF Climate Week event - was months in the making. It was my first time working closely with Fibershed and From Soil to Soul as both Rethink the Runway’s leader and Fafafoom Studio artist, and the result was nothing short of magical. Please look forward to an event recap!
April 18th to 20th: Interwoven by Startup Art Fair
Although it’s impossible for me to physically join Interwoven - fashion installation at Hotel del Sol, I was able to showcase an outfit thanks to Kara Fabella of Remake Bay Area.
Interwoven aims to “broaden the narrative to our diverse audience through a compelling visual installation and immersive VIP experience at startup art fair by providing both the systemic issues we all will inevitably face as well as some tangible solutions. I represented the UPCYCLING solution by showcasing the “Hopeful Tomorrow” outfit.
April 21st to 25th: Threads of Change - A Sustainable Fashion Exhibition
The day after the retreat, I worked to get this exhibition set up for two days in a row, putting at least 8 hours every day to get things set up. Of course, there are Rethink the Runway team members and volunteers — but the physical toll was no joke, and SF Climate Week was just getting started!
The week-long exhibition, featuring 20 outfits from 11 makers, brands, and organizations in San Francisco Bay Area, aims to showcase the diverse practices and innovative solutions in circular fashion. For Fafafoom Studio showcase, I opted to display the Gathered Cloths dress (2024) and Godet Goddess dress (2023).
April 22nd: Speaking engagement at College of San Mateo
I’m really thrilled to be a part CSM’s Ethnic Studies Film Series this year. In front of about 100 students, I shared my practice as a textile upcycling artist, and how I use textile art to connect with the community!
April 23rd: Interview with Shiftmakers for a Climatebase-focused documentary
Shiftmakers is an independent filmmaking start-up that has created short documentaries. As I’m a Climatebase Fellowship alumni who also started Rethink the Runway as a continuation of my capstone project, they’d like me to be part of a Climatebase-focused documentary they’re working on.
During that day, I felt all over the place and opted to rewear my Fibershed Retreat outfit - the 7-square wrap top and 10-square pants. That decision proved to be golden, as I felt centered, confident, and comfortable for the whole day!
April 24th: Threads of Change Reception
The culmination of Rethink the Runway’s first major milestone. An evening filled with activities, from VIP tour of Threads of Change exhibition with all of the designers, screen printing station with sustainable ink, and a panel discussion focused on the importance of policy, innovation, and creativity in progressing circular fashion movement. Once again, look forward for an event recap!
Also on April 24th: #WeCreate408 social campaign on Instagram
I’m happy to be part of SJ Culture’s initiative, focusing on a prompt to encourage people to redesign their own clothes and do their own runway walk! I opted to redesign a kimono - that’s a hint for next month’s AAPI article series!
April 25th: Fashion Drawing Workshop with Zoe Hong
Oh, what a dream come true to collaborate with Bay Area’s fashion illustrator, teacher, designer, and author extraordinaire Zoe Hong! Pinterest hosted this fashion drawing session - it went really smoothly, and I got to showcase two upcycled outfit favorites during the workshop.
Also on April 25th: Circular Culture Hub at Drawing Room Annex
Right after the workshop was done, Anjel, Lindsay, and I raced to Mission district, where we participated in our last SF Climate Week event produced by Clementina Martinez-Masarweh of DNA Threds.
The artful event aimed to encourage people to rethink their relationship with “trashion” was really exuberant! And what a great event to meet local famous photographer Michael Hruska, who have wanted to see my designs in-person.
So there you have it - a very eventful week, indeed!
Thanks for reading; until next time,
Mira Musank