Rebooted Fashion Arts Fund takes the runway with iconic KC founder’s foot on the pedal
February 9, 2023 | Startland News Staff
The Kansas City fashion community is getting a boost thanks to a nationwide fashion initiative and a newly announced relaunch of a local fashion organization — led by an iconic veteran of KC’s fashion community.
The Kansas City Fashion Council announced Thursday its rebranding as Fashion Arts Fund with Jennifer Lapka, longtime Kansas City entrepreneur and fashion leader, driving its fundraising efforts, promoting its programs, and building out its team.
“I am excited to put my passion for the garment industry and entrepreneurial experience to work launching the Fashion Arts Fund and developing its new initiatives,” said Lapka, a consultant for the organization who in 2015 founded Rightfully Sewn, a Kansas City fashion startup creating jobs and opportunity through the business of fashion.
She has been an outspoken advocate for garment workers, sustainable manufacturing practices, and fabric recycling. Rightfully Sewn was acquired by Alphapointe in 2020, with Lapka exiting in summer 2022 and is now focused on her own art practice and providing consultation services to other entrepreneurial, nonprofit, and fashion entities like Fashion Arts Fund.
What is the Fashion Arts Fund?
The Fashion Arts Fund provides catalyzing support to Kansas City fashion designers through scholarships, workshops, and mentorships.
The newly rebooted organization will take advantage of offerings available through its affiliation with CFDA CONNECTS — a New York-based fashion program that provides business support to Kansas City Fashion Week and professional development programming to Kansas City-based fashion designers, the latter of which will now be offered through the new Fashion Arts Fund.
“The FAF’s relationship with CFDA CONNECTS in New York will afford incredible associations and opportunities,” Lapka said. “So I will continue to work to bring national and international attention to our Kansas City fashion and arts community; my passion for this is as strong as ever.”
Kansas City Fashion Council, Inc. was launched as a nonprofit organization in 2014 by Philip Willoughby and Teisha Barber, the producers of Kansas City Fashion Week.
They were passionate about creating a close-knit community where designers, retailers, hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and models interacted year round. Specifically, it offered networking events, fashion design competitions, and professional photo shoot opportunities.
“We paused the operation of Kansas City Fashion Council during the pandemic, which gave us the perfect opportunity to carefully consider its future initiatives,” said Barber. “Our fashion community and its needs are much different now as compared to eight years ago.”
Click here to learn more about how the Fashion Arts Fund aims to address those needs through scholarships, workshops, and mentorships for Kansas City fashion designers.
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
$500K Etsy grant expected to help AltCap offer microloans to artists, creative entrepreneurs
AltCap this week announced a new partnership with the global marketplace Etsy to provide microloans to artists and creative entrepreneurs in America’s Heartland. Etsy has awarded AltCap, an impact-focused small business lender, a $500,000 grant to provide $1,000 to $10,000 loans through the ARTcap Microloan Fund to artists and creative entrepreneurs in Kansas, Missouri and…
Blue Springs farm, retail space invites city diners to the orchard for ‘Alpaca Brunch’
Brunching with a multicolor trio of alpacas is just one of the experiential offerings coming to Colonial Gardens this spring and summer as the rural Blue Springs retail space leans into agritourism and hands-on education, said Grace Ames. Not only can community members buy plants, trees, and flowers for their yards at Colonial Gardens, the…
Equal Minded Cafe serves a wealth of wins as taste buds power Troost bistro’s word-of-mouth appeal
Dontavious Young will happily brew customers at Equal Minded Cafe a chai or latte, but his main goal is to blend ideas, not ingredients. “Our mission is to provide resources, opportunities, and connections to people from all districts of Kansas City,” said Young, the property owner, event coordinator, and cafe manager at Equal Minded Cafe.…
City leader: Newly OK’d limits on Airbnbs will help keep Kansas Citians from being priced out of homes by unchecked rentals
Voter approval of a pair of ballot measures that regulate and tax short-term rentals will boost the city budget and make neighborhoods more affordable as brands like Airbnb and Vrbo continue to operate in Kansas City, said Eric Bunch. “The successful ballot questions are really about making this city whole on our financial expectations and…