Trailblazers: Skid Row Fashion Week
Photography by Janush Libicki
The most recent annual homeless count in Los Angeles found that for the third year in a row, homelessness has risen. Up almost 15% in the county, tens of thousands of human beings are scattered under freeway bridges and forgotten alleys, left to fend for themselves in the most ignored corners of society.
Despite hundreds of millions of dollars being funneled into this crisis through policy and law of the government, the steady push observed by the homeless count seems to be entirely unaffected by what has proven to be the empty words of politicians. Many Angelenos have begun to share the sentiment that this problem has grown so large that a solution is but a distant memory.
How can those in power fix this issue when they spend more time running away from the problem than confronting it? What is needed to solve an issue as systemic as this? We spoke with an enterprising few at Skid Row Fashion Week (SRFW) who believe that they may have the beginnings of an answer.
Tell us about Skid Row Fashion Week and its mission.
SRFW is a streetwear brand and platform that raises awareness and supplies critical resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our founders (David Sabastian and Rich Marshall) intentionally developed an altruistic brand ethos that centers social impact at the forefront of everything we do and design.
Not only do the founders of SRFW talk about change, but they also push to realize their vision in their own warehouses, located in the center of Skid Row, where Skid Row residents (those most affected by LA’s housing crisis) are provided jobs throughout many parts of SRFW’s business.
Could you explain the process of providing and training Skid Row residents for their jobs at SRFW?
From our vantage point, spiritual alignment, mental health wellness, and economic empowerment are essential in our strategic approach to resolve homelessness. We believe this cultural framework will enable us to restore the hope, reignite the inspiration, and develop the self-efficacy that’s necessary for residents to successfully recover and reacclimate back into society. We’re currently focused on scaling a skill(s) development program that will teach residents how to screen print and manufacture clothing.
On your website, the phrase “conscious capitalism” is used to describe the business model that Skid Row Fashion Week uses, what does that mean to you and how does this phrase affect the way you do business?
As a benefit corporation, we redistribute a percentage of our revenue directly into philanthropic events and communal support initiatives that empower, uplift, and humanize the residents of Skid Row. Our conceptualization of conscious capitalism emblematizes a stakeholder philosophy that prioritizes impact over profit.
The end goal of Skid Row Fashion Week is to eradicate poverty in Skid Row. Some would say that an obstacle such as this is insurmountable. What would you say to the nonbelievers?
Sustainable housing is a human right and our society undeniably possesses the resources to eradicate homelessness and uplift individuals out of poverty. In regards to the nonbelievers, our work will continue to heighten the frequency of mankind until we generate the necessary culture shift that will inspire and transform the world.
What advice would you give to young change-makers looking to innovate for their own communities as SRFW does?
For all the aspiring young change-makers, I’d like to encourage you to think fearlessly, love wholeheartedly, and work endlessly to materialize your vision of the world becoming a better place for all inhabitants. Embrace and leverage your youthful energy to hold leaders accountable in the radical reimagination of our human existence.
Stay up to date with Skid Row Fashion Week’s latest pieces and events by following them on Instagram @skidr0wfashionweek and following founder, @davidsabastiananti.
Sources cited:
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/12/875888864/homelessness-in-los-angeles-county-rises-sharply
