Threads of Freedom is a celebration of Black culture, creativity, and history through the lens of fashion and the arts. Curated by The Chayah Movement and in partnership with Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Public Schools, and Community Aunties, this showcase highlights the rich legacy of Black fashion and creative expression in the Pacific Northwest.
This event will feature networking opportunities, interactive workshops, a panel discussion, live performances, and a dynamic artist showcase, bringing together community, artistry, and storytelling to honor the past, inspire the present, and envision the future of Black creativity.
Redefining Luxury – The Black Experience of Sustainable Practices | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Luxury is more than exclusivity—it’s tradition, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Join us at 5 pm for an immersive workshop exploring the deep-rooted sustainable fashion practices within the Black experience, tracing their origins from Africa to Black American fashion today.
Through storytelling, history, and hands-on engagement, attendees will discover:
🔸 Styles, Stealings & Stuck Withs – A journey through Black American fashion, from tribal hand-sewing techniques to Wax Cloth (Ankara) and the empowerment of sewing machines.
🔸 The Styles of Kings & the Enslaved – How embroidery, weaving, and royal garments transformed into reclaimed style and Dandyism.
🔸 What Never Left: Mending is Luxury – A moving procession highlighting alteration specialists in Ghana, featuring insights into modern Ghanaian fashion (Emmanuel Ousu) and Kente cloth weaving (Nicole Turner).
Attendees will:
✨ Receive a piece of Kente cloth as a symbol of tradition lost and reclaimed.
✨ Browse clothing racks to select pieces for your own refashioning journey.
✨ Learn the art of Kente weaving using mini looms, guided by Nicole Turner.
Join us for an interactive, educational, and empowering session that redefines luxury through the lens of sustainability, culture, and resilience.