H2 Exchange, a program spearheaded by Heron Preston in collaboration with H&M that strives for a more circular fashion ecosystem, has selected three emerging designers to collaborate closely with Preston and H&M to develop one-of-a kind upcycled collections.
These collections will be created from publicly donated clothing collected during a donation drive in March. Customers who donated were rewarded with a token that will give them the opportunity to select clothes from the H2 Exchange upcycled collections.
In an immersive, 13-day experience in a 55 Chrystie Street apartment in downtown Manhattan that started Sunday, token holders and mentees can meet with Preston and attend design workshops.
The mentees are Devante Hicks, a self-taught designer based in New York; Treshara Franklin, a rising fashion designer from Brooklyn, and June Chen, a young fashion designer currently enrolled in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons School of Design.
The Manhattan apartment where the residency takes place.
Marco Thayers Galloway, courtesy of H&M. r
There will be a final review of the mentee’s collections by industry professionals and H&M representatives, with the potential for their designs to be reproduced. Mentees will have the opportunity to expand their design skills through workshops, studio sessions and direct mentorship. The program aims to not only enhance their technical abilities but also to instill a deeper understanding of circular fashion principles.
Heron Preston
Courtesy of H&M
Activations include live screen printing, embroidery, airbrush and jersey workshops, that are open to the public June 8 through June 11, and a final presentation on June 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
In March, H&M unveiled a new partnership with Preston that features seasonal collections and creative advisory. Called H2, the first collection debuted March 14 and was inspired by the street style of New York.