Fashion new charity to support artisans and craftsmen – WWD

In the face of high inflation, rising real estate prices, and the challenge of low-cost manufacturing countries, American atheists and artisans are struggling to make ends meet.

Millions and accessories designer Gigi Burris O’Hara quickly saw what was a “crisis” and decided it was time to take action. On Friday, it launched Crafted —ia 501-3C, a charity that aims to protect American crafts in the fashion industry and to inspire new generations to innovate in these ancient treasures.

The organization already has strong supporters, including board members and special advisers Julie Gilhart, Maxwell Osborne, Marcarian Alexandra O’Neill, Natalie Chanin, George Esquiver and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloni, among others.

A.D. “I was able to start my brand because I was able to find the best stewards of American craftsmanship,” said Burris Ohara, who set up her brand in 2012.

“I work with three-generation hand-held millennial factories – I rely on them. When the epidemic broke out, all of our workflows really dried up as designers – they really squeezed these factories – they lost their jobs and some were closed. Those artisans lost their jobs and some of them retired, which took decades of knowledge. ” Burris Ohara added her desire to step in and start a change.

Crafts, of course, have deep roots in America that go beyond fashion; Mediators, such as woodworking and metalworking, are essential to the beauty of American architecture. This was conceived while working closely with Buris O’Hara. I hope the company takes fashion from other handicrafts-dependent industries and appreciates handmade products and puts them as a tool to pay a premium.

“The domestic industry has always been very good at delivering quality and value of handmade pieces. People expect to pay a fair price for handmade furniture or furniture. I think there is a lot of competition here in the United States. [in fashion] We have lost sight of the cost and value of handicrafts with overseas pieces, ”said Bris Ohara.

Burris O’Hara admires home design consumers for their handicrafts as a built-in audience for Closely Crafted’s mission. “We want to join them,” she said.

The designer has a plan for the next few years. “In the first two years, Craft O’Brien will increase critical awareness of the value and quality of pieces made in the United States and increase productivity for brands,” said Burris Ohara.

“After consumer demand, we will begin to develop economic security through practical programs and manpower training programs to support consumer demand and appreciation for the luxury fashion developed in the US.”

It uses a close-up of its partners’ media access – brands that share unique content to spread awareness about their products.

Designers Christopher John Rogers, Brandon Maxwell, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia are looking for a way to get the message across with Boris O’Hara, including Monse and Oscar de la Renta, Brett Heman, Eddie Parker and Jonathan Cohen.

“We want to have as many faces as possible and we want to change the perspective and create a value-based metric. All of these brands have their own audience to connect with. They have to work in it, ”said Bris Ohara.

To begin with, Burris O’Hara has hired four female-owned retailers to expand its mission. Webster, McMulen, Hampden, and Vermilion organize specialty store displays and advertise insights on their social media channels and e-commerce pages to create awareness on their own consumer base.

This weekend, The Webster will be the first to launch a three-day social media initiative featuring American designers at the store.

Closely Crafted also launched its own website and social media channels on Friday with special content and video series featuring factories and artisans contributing to the American handicraft industry.

Burris O’Hara thinks the time is right. People are starving fragments of history and what better time is there now to support history and support the artisans who are part of that?