Redding Fashion Alliance Incorporated

RFA IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF NORTHER CALIFORNIA CITIZENS BY MOBILIZING SELF SUFFICIENCY AND PROVIDING AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO FASHION DESIGN,SEWING,BUSINESS EDUCATION WHILE FOSTERING A SUSTAINABLE,PROSPEROUS,CUTLURALLY RICH COMMUNITY.

OUR REGALIA PROGRAM, BEGAN IN 2023 AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE REDDING RANCHERIA. IT IS A NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE COLLECTION OF COURRSES PROVIDED BY REDDING FASHION ALLIANCE. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO COMBINE THE SKILL OF PATTERN MAKING AND SEWING WITH THE HISORIC DEIGNS OF NATIVE AMERICAN REGALIA, OFFICIAL AND TRADITIONAL SPECIAL CLOTHING, WORN OR CARRIED IN FORMAL CEREMONIES. THE REDDING RANCHERIA AND ITS RICH CULTURAL COMMUNITY KNOWS THE HISTROY OF THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, WHOS SACRED PRINTS, HAND-BRUNISHED LEATHERWORK, AND BEADED APPLIQUES HAVE BEEN IMITATED BY FASHION HOUSES FOR CENTURIES. THE COLORFUL REGALIA THAT IS PART OF THE RICH CEREMONIAL ARTISTRY EXPERIENCED AT A CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN POW WOW WILL NOT ONLY TEACH VALUABLE TECHNIQUES BUT GIVE CULTURAL LESSONS TO ALL WHO ATTEND. YOUNG DESIGNERS CREATED A MODERN DAY CAPSULE COLLECTION INSPIRED BY CEREMONIAL EVENTS.

2023 1ST ANNUAL THE PARK REDDING FASHION FESTIVAL (RFF). THIS TWO NIGHT FALL EVENT WAS HELD ON A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN OCTOBER FROM 5:30PM TO 10:00PM AT THE LOCAL FOOD TRUCK HUB, DOWNTOWN REDDING. WELCOMING THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE, VIEW AND BE ENTERTAINED BY A FASHION RUNWAY, LIVE MUSIC, IMPROVE, AND DANCING. SPONSORSHIPS FROM THIS EVENT HELP SECURE NEW SEWING MACHINES FOR OUR SEWING CLASSES, SEWING CAMPS AND AFTER SCHOOL SEWING PROGRAMS. PROVIDING BEGINNING TO ADVANCED SEWING SKILLS, APPAREL UP-CYCLING AND COSTUME DESIGN. INSTILLING YOUTH WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE IN PROJECT COMPLETION WHILE DEVELOPING A INVALUABLE LIFE LONG SKILL. WITH SMALL EVENT EXPENSE THE GOAL WAS TO BRING AWARNESS TO OUR NON PROFIT AND PULL IN ON GOING SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH THE REVENUE ON THE TWO NIGHTS WAS $775 WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN COMMUNITY INTEREST AND DONATIONS WERE UP IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS FROM PRIOR YEAR SAME MONTH DONATIONS.

IN 2023, RFA LAUNCHED THE SEWING INTO SCHOOLS PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE SKILLS GAP CAUSED BY THE ABSENCE OF SEWING AND HOME ECONOMICS CLASSES IN THE SCHOOLS. BY COLLABORATING WITH SCHOOLS WE RE-ENVISIONED HOME ECONOMICS THROUGH SUMMER AND SCHOOL YEAR ACTIVITIES. OUR SUMMER SEWING CAMP AT REDDING SCHOOL OF THE ARTS RECHED UP TO 100 STUDENTS AND WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS. PARTNERING WITH THE REDDING PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, LOCAL PUBLICATIONS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS FACILITATED IMMEDIAE ENROLLMENT. THIS SUCCESS LED TO AN INVITATION TO OFFER AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES IN COSTUME DESIGN AND BEGINNER SEWING. OUR PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SPACE TO SEW AND TEACH FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS THAT SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY. REDDING FASHION ALLIANCE SERVES AS AN INCUBATOR OF DESIGN AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, OFFERING EDUCATION, MAKER SPACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE DESIGNS AND INSPIRE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.