The Stitch: F.A.B.R.I.C. (Fashion And Business Resource Innovation Center)
Manifested by fashion designers Angela Johnson and Sherri Barry, F.A.B.R.I.C. is a one-of-a-kind fashion incubator that provides aid to emerging designers. It 
offers resources to help develop, manufacture and market their concepts with the goal of building a sustainable fashion business in Arizona. Working with the City of Tempe, Barry and Johnson give back to the community through their non-profit, AAF (Arizona Apparel Foundation), and in return, are granted use of the three-story space which formerly housed the Tempe Performing Arts Center.
Since opening in 2016, F.A.B.R.I.C. has received loads of accolades by various media outlets and has won numerous awards including the Fashion Humanitarian Award in 2018 and Tempe Mayor’s Disability Award in 2017. On top of this, they do it all with no environmental waste – every single strand of fabric goes to creative use. Check out fabrictempe.com. for upcoming events and learn how you can contribute or let your creative juices flow into fruition!
You’re #SEW Gonna Like the Way You Look…
When Jessica Wenger, a Hollywood costume designer and stylist, and Jay McPhaul, a writer, decided to marry, they were soon shocked by the outrageous cost of lackluster suit styles available at corporate men’s stores. Further pained by the notion that the duds had been worn by numerous other men and had to be returned immediately after their momentous day, the couple delved into their Hollywood backgrounds, and with the help of the F.A.B.R.I.C. Designer in Residence Scholarship program, produced their first stylish, affordable and personally tailored (you can measure yourself using their simple measuring template found on their website!) collection, Heywood and Ringo.
CULTIVATE – The AAF Designer Accelerator Fashion Show, Saturday, July 27 at F.A.B.R.I.C, 132 E. 6th St. Tempe
Featuring the work of these three Arizona Apparel Foundation Designer in Residence Accelerator Program Scholarship recipients of 2019:
1 – Designer and textile artist, Angelina Martin presents avant-garde color, form and textures in her eye-popping collection Anymystik (@anymystik).
2 – Designers Jessica Wenger and Jay McPhaul showcase tailored suits and tuxes with a dash of Hollywood charm with Heywood and Ringo (@heywoodandringo) and unveil unrestrained, natural-hued intimates with Naked Rebellion (@naked.rebellion).
3 – Translating as “selflessness” in Arabic, Ethar Collection (@ethar_collection) by designer Rawa Awad celebrates vibrant and resilient women in her sophisticated evening wear collection.
Purchase tickets at cultivate2019.eventbrite.com.
