Shop 'Slow' in Park Slope this Friday

By Michele De Meglio

A team of Brooklyn designers wants to change the way you shop.

Textile Arts Center on Carroll Street in Park Slope is teaming up with nearly a dozen eco-friendly apparel and jewelry designers to host a Fashion’s Night Out event on Sept. 10. The event is dubbed “Celebrating ‘Slow,’ ” which is a move away from the way major apparel companies, such as H&M and Old Navy, create their clothes.

“These local designers are working in ways that are sustainable,” said Owyn Ruck, cofounder of Textile Arts Center. “It’s called ‘slow fashion’ because it’s all handmade, made locally, and if they have laborers, they’re all getting paid a fair wage. It’s the opposite of fast fashion, where all these companies outsource their work out of the country.”

The designers’ creations, which include bohemian accessories from Odette and cotton and linen clothes from Wiksten, will be sold at the event. Ruck says shoppers will discover garments that are much more exciting than the pieces in department stores.

“Places like H&M bring trends to the average person,” Ruck said. “But these smaller Brooklyn designers are more creative in their designs and quality because they’re doing it all by hand.”

In keeping with the event’s eco-friendly theme, Textile Arts Center will host a sustainable fashion workshop, during which participants will create a personal Fashion Manifesto, promising to forgo big chain stores in favor of “slow fashion” designers.

Following that, fashion industry experts, including Rogan designer Caroline Priebe and Greta Eagan, founder of www.fashionmegreen.com, will host a panel discussion about the importance of eco-friendly pieces.

And stores throughout the city will stay open late on Sept 10. to greet customers and host special events, including panels and live music.

Fashion’s Night Out: Celebrating “Slow” at Textile Arts Center [505 Carroll St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 369-0222], Sept. 10 at 6 pm. Suggested donation is $10. For info, visit www.textileartscenter.com.