Both Fashion Manufacturing and Theater Costuming are facing challenges due to the current pandemic as well as general economic trends. In fashion, there is a shortage of skilled artisans for samples and small batch production. In theater, many employers are closed at least through the end of the year leaving many searching for other options.

As these two fields are very similar, is there a path forward that would be of mutual benefit? What could that look like, and what would need to be in place for it to be both sustainable and ethical in it’s treatment of the workers involved?

Towards this, Artists’ Resource Mobilization and AIBI* are hosting a garment production round table featuring a couple, local industry professionals from both fields.

*Artists Resource Mobilization is community organization dedicated to mobilizing artists across Chicago to respond to crises, at any scale. AIBI/AIFI is a non-profit organization supporting the apparel industry.