Rethink the Runway Weekly Recap 05.05.2025
How we kicked off SF Climate Week with soil, soul, and style under the spring sun
Dear Rethink the Runway Newsletter readers, we’re still buzzing from all the conversations, connections, and creativity that bloomed across the city during the last week of April. Over the weekend, we shared a long recap from the event that kicked off our SF Climate Week 2025 programming: the Half-Day Retreat: Exploring Regenerative Food & Fiber Systems, co-hosted with our friends at From Soil to Soul and Fibershed at Fibershed Learning Center, located on on Black Mountain Ranch 🌿
On Friday, April 18th, More than 30 people joined us to explore the deep connections between what we eat, what we wear, and how it all ties back to the Earth. The afternoon was full of warmth, reflective learning, laughter, and shared purpose.
Beautiful moments from the retreat still lingers in our hearts. Together, we:
Watched two powerful film screenings presented by From Soil to Soul and Black Fiber & Textile Network, followed by a thoughtful Q&A with Jahnavi Mange
Enjoyed a nourishing, locally-sourced lunch from Westbound & Found
Sipped fermented sodas by Wild West Ferments, snacked on local cheese from Point Reyes Creamery, and admired florals arranged by Indigenous Love Design
Took a guided walk through the dye garden with Fibershed’s Rebecca Burgess
Got hands-on with natural dyeing using marigold, led by artist Jasmine Nyende of Black Fiber & Textile Network
We ended the day with a breathtaking runway show led by our own Program Director Mira Musank. Each designer brought their own vision of regenerative fashion to life using Fibershed-grown and climate-beneficial textiles:
Fafafoom Studio, which approaches regenerative textiles through the lens of an upcycling artist who often work with cutoffs and scraps, and often receive a mixed blend of synthetic and natural materials
Seek Collective, which works with artisans worldwide to create compostable modern pieces using traditional techniques and natural fibers.
Herderin, which creates emotional, comfort-first clothing using regenerative fibers and natural dyes.
Kosa Arts, Oakland-based and slow at heart, which masterfully blends eco-printing and plant-based dyes into expressive silhouettes that celebrate craftsmanship and nature.
We’re beyond grateful to everyone who made this retreat possible — especially Lexi Fujii and Jahnavi Mange for coordinating every detail with care, Teju N. Adisa-Farrar for championing Black Fiber Textiles Network’s participation, and Rebecca Burgess for being our guide, supporter, and inspiration throughout the day.
Special thanks as well to Paige Green for capturing the magic on camera!
💫 RTR Team Feature: Lili Muntean
And in case you missed it, we also spotlighted one of the creative forces behind Rethink the Runway: our brilliant Creative Director, Lili Muntean.
For Lili, fashion is more than fabric - it's a movement, a language, and a chance to tell deeper stories from the first fiber to the final thread. Her thoughtful, artful approach is shaping RTR’s vision every step of the way. “Sustainability is more than a trend,” she says. “It’s our path to a greener, more beautiful future.”
As we look ahead to RTR 2025, Lili is excited for what’s next: “I look forward to us reaching our goals together. Bigger, bolder, better - go team!” We’re so lucky to have her creativity, heart, and direction on this journey 💚
Community Partner Spotlight: Oakland School for the Arts
Oakland School for the Arts, which participated in our week-long Threads of Change: A Sustainable Fashion Exhibition will have their annual fashion show happening this week! Titled Rewind: Fashion Revisited, this show will celebrate innovation and creativity as our designers showcase their latest collections.
Pro tip: Friday evening performance will include an exclusive one-night-only post-show reception following Rewind: Fashion Revisited show. Get up close with the collections, meet the designers, and enjoy drinks and light bites — don’t miss it!
📍Get your tickets for OSA’s Fashion Show!
Stay tuned for our next event recaps in the coming days and weeks: from the Threads of Change Exhibition to Reception, and Fashion Drawing Workshop with Zoe Hong, there are so many memories to share and love to spread around!
Warmly,
The Rethink The Runway Team
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Rethink the Runway partners with brands and organizations to co-create public facing events that highlight the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and climate actions. If you’d like to support our work, please consider making a donation today.