Ready to Make Modestwear Mainstream

New York, NY (February 11, 2018) — Vivi Zubedi brought her signature modest wear to the mainstream with her Fall/Winter 2018 collection runway show at Industria as a part of NYFW: The Shows. The fashion designer traveled from her home country, Indonesia, to display her embellished, statement RTW and hijab collection to the US fashion industry. 

The venue was packed with a stylish crowd chattering as the designer and her models prepared to make their mark. Guests were wowed as theatrical beats pumped through the room and the first model walked the catwalk impeccably adorned by handcrafted Indonesian elements.  

Zubedi's talent for combining textures, patterns, and embellishments was apparent. The designer mixed traditionally Muslim silhouettes like hijabs and abayas with sportswear elements like printed sneakers and gold embellished baseball caps.  Written across the caps and select velvet jumpers in the collection was "Banua Borneo"-- a region of Indonesia that Vivi Zubedi wishes to bring attention to. 

The FW18 collection, entitled Urang Banua, was originally crafted as a cultural statement for quality of life and economic welfare of weavers and fabric artisans in the area of South Kalimantan: Pagatan and Sasirangan. As an entrepreneur herself, Vivi has made it her mission to support other entrepreneurs especially these women in South Kalimantan.  

Vivi Zubedi's collection utilized the weavers' beautiful original fabrics from South Kalimantan. The difficult techniques used in the process of making these fabrics is what makes them so special. The human resources who created the traditional fabrics are women ranging from teenagers, to adults and elders. Vivi believes these women should be highly praised as they conserve Kalimantan’s traditions. Vivi dreamt to improve the economy of these entrepreneurs by introducing Kalimantan’s traditional fabric to the international fashion industry at NYFW.  

“When I saw the elderly weavers in the village in South Kalimantan, I suddenly wanted to create a collection inspired by the fashion of their time, the 40s through 60s. I want to make chic and stylish masterpieces with their handcrafted materials. I want this fabric to be the new trend in fashion.” -- said Zubedi. 

A rich, yet earthy color palette of velvet and the subtly printed artisan materials was embellished with flashy gold chains, crystals, and pearls. Wrapped coats in black and white polka dot, navy velvet, and ikat printed fabrics were decked out with zippers, beads, girly bows, oversized belts and Victorian collars stole the show along with Zubedi's stylish sneakers and mini handbags.  

The show closed with designer Vivi Zubedi graciously walking down the runway in her own design to a standing ovation from the crowd including her daughter who handed her a bouquet of red roses that she took and held close to her velvet Banua Borneo gold stitched top. As the show ended the room of modest influencers, celebrities, editors, buyers, family, and friends stormed the runway opening hoping to try and grab a selfie with America's next top modest fashion star!  

 Vivi Zubedi's FW18 runway show, Urang Banua, was sponsored by HIJUP.com who will be selling both Vivi's runway and Zubedi by Vivi Zubedi collections.  

 Notable attendees included actress Johanna Braddy of Quantico, Genevieve Gorder of TLC's Trading Spaces, actress Catherine Curtin of Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black, Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss USA Kara McCullough, Love & Hip Hop LA star Masika Kalysha, LeA Robinson of Bravo's First Family of Hip Hop, winner of ABC's Great American Baking Show Vallery Lomas, and Broadway star Ariana Debose of Donna Summer and formerly Hamilton. 

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About Vivi Zubedi Vivi Zubedi is a fashion designer from Jakarta, Indonesia. Before working in fashion, Vivi graduated from Universitas Negeri Sumatra Utara (University of North Sumatera) with a degree in accounting. She soon realized that her passion was in the fashion industry, and started to learn how to sew and make clothing patterns from her tailor. 

In 2011, Vivi launched her first label using her own name “Vivi Zubedi”. Vivi first presented her collection at Indonesia Fashion Week in 2014 and received an incredible response from the fashion society in Indonesia. After that, Vivi continued to present her collection at Jakarta Fashion Week and launched in the U.S market through Indonesia Fashion Gallery in New York. Through her label, Vivi showcases Abaya collections to promote the Muslim women’s wear as a well-known entity in the fashion industry. With Vivi Zubedi’s brand, Abaya has become more renowned not only in Indonesia, but also in other parts of the world like London, South Africa, Germany, Dubai, and Qatar. 

In September 2017, Vivi Zubedi participated in her first fashion show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with IMG. Her collection became a spotlight, not only to the media, but also to the international fashion industry for her “fresh” designs, colors, and the meaningful theme “Makkah, Madinah, Jannah”. 

http://www.vivizubedi.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/vivizubedi/?hl=en   

About Hijup.com 

HIJUP is the world's first Islamic fashion e-commerce established in 2011. With an online mall concept, providing a wide range of the best online products from Indonesian Islamic fashion designers including clothing, hijab/headscarves, accessories, and more. 

Since its establishment, HIJUP.com functions as an agent for designers and their perspective buyers around the world. With HIJUP.com these designers can increase their profits more efficiently while making it easier for buyers to find the products they want.  

HIJUP stands for Hijab Up (just like in make up or dress up) because we believe that we can bring something Up to all Muslim women around the world. And that while wearing a hijab they are inspired to create something wonderful and earn a lot of respect from others. They deserve to be happy and look great in syar'I outfit and fashionable hijab. 

#ACT4AWARDS: Holiday Party Celebrating diversity in arts, media and tech

On December 4th, 2017 CINEMATCHER, STORYSHIFTER AND STYLE & RESILIENCE hosted a HOLIDAY PARTY CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN ARTS, MEDIA AND TECH. At an integral time, coming together to celebrate our differences, while advocating for diversity across respective fields.  Honorees Included Alek Wek, Malik Yoba, Telisa Daughtry, M. Alby Bocanegra, Maya Azucena, & Jennifer Brea.

Hosted by Dena Mekawi ( Style & Resilience ) Lisa Russell(Storyshifter), & Lauren Magura (Cinematcher).

The #ACT4AWARDS Holiday Party hosted by CINEMATCHER, STORYSHIFTER and STYLE&RESILIENCE. As three strong women founders, our mission within our companies all revolve around  encouraging diversity and social change within the arts and media industry.

STYLE & RESILIENCE is a media and lifestyle company founded by Dena Mekawi, working with brands and private sector to create more inclusivity within mainstream media driving cultural trends through style and advocacy. Using the power of media, we implement diversity initiatives through pop culture and the arts.  We are making social good the norm, redefining what it means to be a resilient leader. Founder, Dena Mekawi used her experience of self-discovery as an Arab American to work collectively. 

STORYSHIFTER is a new entertainment and creative platform for the social good powered by machine learning and data analytics.  Founded by Emmy-winning filmmaker, Lisa Russell who produces films and creative projects for UN/NGO agencies, StoryShifter houses social good creative content (films, PSAs, music, poetry) and then evaluates its members demographics, viewing habits and subsequent action steps (ie, donate to a nonprofit, support a conscious brand, sign a petition and more), providing content producers with advanced data-driven tools to promote responsible storytelling and to take social good advocacy to the next level.

CINEMATCHER,  a matchmaking app that enables users to hire and get hired for film, TV and digital projects instantly – globally, founded by Lauren Magura. Their users are calling it the ‘Tinder’ for film and TV jobs, but more importantly they encourage diversity in front of and behind the camera. The founder Lauren Magura,  has experience working in indie film production, media operations supporting numerous networks at NBC, and publicity and promotions of record breaking films at Universal Pictures. Her passion for bringing efficiency and innovation to the industry, and bridging the massive gap of connecting creative productions to local and diverse talent, put Cinematcher into motion. Lauren wants to give anyone, anywhere, with any experience level the ability to connect, collaborate and create instantly, anywhere in the world.

Alek Wek was honored at the #act4awards where diversity & inclusion were highly celebrated. “This really means a lot to me, making choices, where you want to be, I could have been in London right now but tonight meant more to me because that's who I am," declares Alek Wek, the first black model who didn't conform to a Caucasian aesthetic, the first with an uncompromising, sub-Saharan beauty. Her industry saw her as new and exotic – a savage beauty.

Malik Yoba was also alongside the honorees being awarded. In 1994, Mr. Yoba began his role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the popular FOX police drama series New York Undercover, opposite Michael DeLorenzo. Mr. Yoba and DeLorenzo made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles.Mr. Yoba's work on New York Undercover earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama series. “The coolest part is being in the give a damn business, we live in a world now where people who where on the fringes who were disconnected, disinterested perhaps disenchanted disheartened decided now it’s time to be in the middle of the arena and get active.” 

TeLisa Daughtry is the founder of FlyTechnista and was selected as a Finalist for Code/Interactive’s Diversity in Tech Awards. Telisa expresses “There was less resources and less visibility of women and people of color in technology, yet somehow today we have more access to gaining technical and digital skills, yet more barriers, crazy right, I am committed to breaking these barriers daily .” listed Top 50 VisionaryWomen in Tech to Watch in 2017 by Innovative Magazine, and was recognized as Change maker for Innovation & Entrepreneurship by The White House: United State of Women,in 2016.

M. Alby Bocanegra is serving the people of New York Chief of Staff, Strategy & Peformance in the Mayor’Office of the Chief Tecnology Officer (NYC Tech). He specializes in talent architecture, people development, project  management, operational excellence, diversity initiatives, and workplace culture. “I learned that I’m enough,I always share the wealth, whether it’s a smile or opportunity to share. I’m always in a state of serving others, that’s why working with underutilized populations has been part of my DNA.” Alby says.

 Maya Azucena, a multi-award winning recording artist  and magnetically inspirational woman, is known for making music that uplifts the soul. Maya Azucena devoted significant amount of her career to human rights, and uses art as her weapon. Maya provided music for Emmy -Winning UN documentarian Lisa Russell latest film Not Yet Rain, regarding the advancement of Women’s health laws and reproductive rights in Ethiopia. “I believe in each and every single one of you, that you have the power to affect change, ” expresses Maya while receiving her ACT4AWARDS.

Jennifer Brea is a TED Talker, an activist fighting for invisible illness and autoimmune disease, the director of Sundance award-winning Unrest, co-creator of Unrest VR, founder of  Shella Films and co-founder of #MEAtion.Jennifer Brea was not able to be there in person, the ACT4AWARDS was accepted on behalf of her inspiring resilient power in fighting through. 

(Left to right, Lisa Russell, Lauren Magura, Dena Mekawi) Host of the ACT4AWARDS.  Dena Mekawi mentioned “ I knew how it felt not to be reflected in mainstream media, I had self-esteem issues that stemmed from the desire to achieve the ideal standards of beauty. For me this meant that we each are represented properly in the media we consume.” From Miss Arab, to Oprah magazine, Dena has created a path that directly works with those shaping media and culture.

Fashion and the Global Goals. Style & Resilience Co- Organizes the First Sustainable Fashion event at the United Nations.

16 November 2017 - Thursday Briefing 

"Fashion and Sustainability: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good"

Using Fashion as a Vehicle for Change

DPI NGO Briefing followed by a Sustainable Fashion Showcase

Date: 16 November 2017

Time: 11 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Location: Conference Room 4, UNHQ, NY

Women’s National Book Association

Dena Mekawi, Founder of Style & Resilience, and representative of Women’s National Book Association co-organized the Sustainable fashion show at the United Nations, November 16, 2017, along with the DPI NGO sub-committee , United Nations DPI. Taking the passion she had for style, fashion and beauty, into the United Nations 17 Global Goals framework. Dena says “  I wanted to creatively engage millennial into really understanding how they consume fashion. Fashion consumptions affects unpaid labor, forced child labor, especially in developing countries for women and girls, with the access and resources we have, now more than ever people have the tools to shift into a better circular economy.” 

Dena creatively came up with the social media marketing, along with the hashtag  #rolemodel4fashion, as a representation of models beyond runway models. Mirroring models within fashion, being the change makers and shifting how we consume fashion, makes us real role models. 

Did you know, the fashion industry’s CO2 emissions are projected to increase by more than 60% to nearly 2.8 billion tons per year by 2030- the equivalent of emissions produced by nearly 230 million passenger vehicles driven for a year.

#rolemodel4fashion. Also, over 50% of workers are not paid the minimum wage in countries like India or Philippines.

What if someone told you it takes 2,700 liters of water to grow enough cotton for one T-shirt, an amount equal to one person’s drinking water for 900 days? 

This was just one of the statistics about the fashion industry’s social and environmental effects shared at this month’s United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations briefing, “Fashion and Sustainability: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good: Using Fashion as a Vehicle for Change.”

The briefing, moderated by Patrick Duffy, founder of the Global Fashion Exchange, featured panelists from global organizations working to enact change in the industry and was followed by a fashion showcase, the first of its kind at the UN. Five designers presented sustainable clothing collections to an audience comprising designers and companies, students from multiple New York universities, NGOs, UN officials, and ambassadors.

One way Ottoboni wields that power is by avoiding “fast fashion,” a term referring to companies releasing new clothing collections quickly and cheaply, leading to more textile waste and consumption of resources.

While some sustainable purchases cost more, Ottoboni suggests those with limited budgets can consider spending more on a garment that will last longer instead of buying new clothes more often.

She also believes that in the long term, “ethical sourcing and things like that will become a norm and become less expensive as demand increases.”

The enthusiastic audience at the UN briefing and showcase suggests the trajectory is already in motion, and Ottoboni is especially encouraged by this statistic: 65 percent of consumers are now actively seeking sustainable fashion.