The Chayah Movement

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The Chayah Movement The Chayah Movement is now a non-profit focused on workforce and leadership training in the sustainable fashion space!

Mission: Equipping the next generation of fashion professionals to keep sustainability and ethics at the forefront of their work. Vision: Imagining a world where all fashion is sustainable and ethical. Go to Chayah Fashion on FB/IG for the fashion options and event information.

Celebrating our Summer 2026 AITs (Advocate-in-Training).This summer, Nick, Kennedy, and Nithila brought their creativity...
10/05/2026

Celebrating our Summer 2026 AITs (Advocate-in-Training).

This summer, Nick, Kennedy, and Nithila brought their creativity, curiosity, and commitment to sustainable fashion to their placements with Dhivya Bala Studio, Astor & Orion, and Transcend.

Nick is working with Dhivya Bala Studio. Raised in South Seattle, Nick began her fashion career as a makeup artist and stylist and spent more than a decade planning and producing large-scale shows and events. The daughter and granddaughter of community organizers, she believes fashion and beauty are at their best when rooted in culture and community. She hopes to honor her Big Mama’s legacy by serving her community while always serving a look.

Kennedy recently wrapped up her placement with Astor & Orion. A Princeton graduate with a background in African American Studies, Latin American Studies, and Environmental Studies, Kennedy is passionate about environmental justice, biophilic design, textile conservation, and advancing sustainable design and business practices in fashion.

Nithila is wrapping up her placement with Transcend. A Florida State University graduate in Environment and Society, Nithila brings experience in sustainable fashion, including clothing rental, supplier sustainability, and student-led fashion education.

We’re proud of each of you and grateful to Dhivya Bala Studio, Astor & Orion, and Transcend for helping create meaningful opportunities for emerging talent. Thank you for being part of this summer’s AIT journey! 💚

The Chayah Movement is excited to host the clothing swap at the ReFashion Fair in partnership with Pierce County.Join us...
10/03/2026

The Chayah Movement is excited to host the clothing swap at the ReFashion Fair in partnership with Pierce County.

Join us for an afternoon of swapping, mending, and learning about more sustainable ways to care for and enjoy the clothes we already have.

Bring clean, gently used fall and winter clothing, shoes, or accessories to swap. We recommend bringing about 20 items and dropping them off between 12 and 12:45 p.m. Clean, usable sheets and towels are also welcome for donation to NW Furniture Bank.

You can mend a favorite with Remakery, explore hands-on learning labs, and learn more about garment care, fast fashion, and textile waste. Come even if you don’t have items to swap—everyone is welcome!

We’re also looking for volunteers to help make the swap a welcoming, smooth-running experience. Interested in joining us? Volunteer sign-up here:

https://forms.gle/pYARprViz73ZmKLr5

📅 Saturday, November 7

🕛 12–4 p.m.

📍 Parkland Community Center Gymnasium

214 121st Street S., Parkland, WA 98444

🎟️ Free: "Reserve your spot on Eventbrite" (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/refashion-fair-fall-clothing-swap-mending-stations-and-learning-labs-tickets-1998499912035)

We can keep clothing in use, share resources, and make more thoughtful choices together. We hope to see you there!

Looking for sustainable fashion events? We’re making them easier to find.The Chayah Movement’s Sustainable Fashion Calen...
10/01/2026

Looking for sustainable fashion events? We’re making them easier to find.

The Chayah Movement’s Sustainable Fashion Calendar is a growing community resource highlighting sustainable and ethical fashion events happening across communities and beyond our region.

1. Fashion shows + showcases

2. Clothing swaps + circular fashion events

3. Repair, mending + upcycling workshops

4. Educational events + conversations

5. Sustainability + textile-focused programs

6. Community gatherings + more

And we’re continuing to add events!

Our goal is simple: create one place where people can discover opportunities to learn, connect, participate, and support the growing sustainable fashion movement.

Hosting an event? Add yours!

Use the event submission form on our website to share your sustainable fashion-related event with our community. Whether it’s happening in Tacoma, Seattle, New York, Atlanta—or somewhere in between—we want to know about it.

Because sustainability doesn’t happen in isolation. The movement gets stronger when we can find each other, learn from each other, and show up for each other.

🔗 Explore the Sustainable Fashion Calendar + submit your event on our website:

https://forms.gle/pqRQUmCszQja1oNr7

We’re growing our volunteer community! The Chayah Movement is looking for people who want to show up, lend a hand, conne...
09/28/2026

We’re growing our volunteer community!

The Chayah Movement is looking for people who want to show up, lend a hand, connect with community, and help us create more sustainable ways to engage with clothing and textiles.

And this isn’t just for one event.

Throughout the year, our volunteers help us bring clothing swaps, textile collection and reuse, learning opportunities, and community-centered sustainable fashion events to life.

Our next opportunity is November 7 in Parkland, WA

Volunteers can help with:

1. Clothing swap setup, sorting & organization

2. Welcoming and engaging community members

3. Mending and activity support

4. Textile collection and repurposing

5. Learning labs and workshops

6. Event setup and cleanup

7. Something else

November 7 volunteers: Setup begins at 10 AM, with the community event running 12–4 PM.

Whether you can join us November 7 or want to volunteer at a future event, we’d love to have you in the movement.

No special experience required—just a willingness to show up for community, sustainability, and one another.

Interested? Sign up to join our volunteer community - Link in bio or below:

https://forms.gle/nyiFSa8wRDXaP4Cv7

Last night, The Chayah Movement showed up and showed out in support of Nat the brilliant mind behind LA PAISA and the "F...
09/20/2026

Last night, The Chayah Movement showed up and showed out in support of Nat the brilliant mind behind LA PAISA and the "Feelings" Fashion Show!

🔹️Brand Partner/AIT Mentor: Karen H., the genius behind sustainable jewelry brand Astor & Orion
🔹️Summer 2026 AIT: Nick Nicky
🔹️Executive Director/Founder: Zakiya Nicole, wearing LA Wiltbank ATIWO | Handmade Jewelry LA PAISA
🔹️Board member and AIT Mentor: Heidi K., the powerhouse behind Heidi Kaluza

This was so much more than a fashion show. It was an experience. From the VIP experience to the art, various creative activations, and food throughout the space, every detail invited us in. The focus on mental health, and the resources available, felt especially timely.

The PNW keeps reminding us that the upper left has something to say. Our fashion, art, and creativity deserve to be seen. Sustainability and ethics are part of how we show up.

Community, let’s keep showing up for one another, checking in, and cheering each other on. The movement takes all of us and is bigger than any one person.

Thank you, Nat, for sharing your vision with us. Last night was courage, vulnerability, transparency, and betting on yourself personified. 💜

09/12/2026

Congratulations to the winner of the Northwest Sewn Shoddy Not Shoddy Design Challenge hosted at TRANSCEND | Clothing As Unique As You !

It was an honor to serve as a judge and see textile waste reimagined through creativity, innovation and thoughtful design.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to celebrate local designers, strengthen our sustainable fashion community and connect with new supporters who believe in a more circular and ethical future for fashion.

Congratulations to everyone who shared their creativity and brought their vision to life!

As we close out the month of June, we're celebrating more than the successful conclusion of Threads of Freedom—we're cel...
07/01/2026

As we close out the month of June, we're celebrating more than the successful conclusion of Threads of Freedom—we're celebrating momentum.

This month, we welcomed an incredible new cohort of Advocates in Training (AITs), refreshed and strengthened our Board of Directors, and closed a powerful month of programming that showcased the brilliance of Black designers, artists, performers, and creatives throughout our community.

To every volunteer, partner, sponsor, performer, designer, vendor, photographer, model, and attendee—thank you. Your support made each event possible and continues to fuel this movement.

As we step into the second half of the year, we're energized for what's ahead. With new advocates, renewed leadership, and a growing community of changemakers, The Chayah Movement is poised for even greater impact.

Thank you for believing in our mission and walking alongside us as we continue building a more sustainable, equitable, and creative future.

Here's to everything we've accomplished—and everything still to come.

ChayahForChange

Tonight: Threads of Freedom Closing Celebration!Join us as we close out Threads of Freedom with an evening of creativity...
06/25/2026

Tonight: Threads of Freedom Closing Celebration!

Join us as we close out Threads of Freedom with an evening of creativity, culture, and community.

• Artist Talk: Meet the Showcase Creatives

• Fashion Show featuring SWF Seasons Clothing

• Photo Booth Experience by Mehraki

• Live Creative Demonstration by Shalom

• Live Performances Throughout the Evening

• ASL Interpretation Available Throughout the Event

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Thursday, June 25, 2026

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Lumora

724 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA

Come celebrate the talented designers, artists, performers, and creatives who have made Threads of Freedom an unforgettable showcase of heritage, fashion, and freedom.

We look forward to seeing you there!



TODAY AT ROOTS & RADIANCEJoin us for an afternoon of culture, creativity, fashion, and community as we celebrate the bea...
06/20/2026

TODAY AT ROOTS & RADIANCE

Join us for an afternoon of culture, creativity, fashion, and community as we celebrate the beauty, talent, and artistry of the African diaspora.

Performance Lineup
• 12:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction
• 12:30 PM – Natty Dread Illustration Drums
• 1:00 PM – Vision Step Team
• 1:30 PM – Theron
• 2:00 PM – Jonathan Jackson
• 3:00 PM – Ava X
• 3:30 PM – Ava X
• 4:00 PM – Logic Amen
• 4:15 PM – Parade of Queens
• 5:00 PM – Threads of Freedom Fashion Show Finale
• 5:30 PM – Fashion Show Encore Finale

Come experience live performances, cultural expression, fashion, and community connection throughout the day.

• Shop local vendors
• Support Black creatives and entrepreneurs
• Celebrate culture, heritage, and freedom through art and fashion
• Connect with community and discover incredible local talent

SeattleEvents SupportBlackArtists CommunityCulture BlackExcellence FashionForChange JuneteenthCelebration ShopLocalBlackOwned

A THREADS OF FREEDOM FASHION SHOW DURING ROOTS & RADIANCE EVENT!Fashion is more than what we wear—it is storytelling, he...
06/18/2026

A THREADS OF FREEDOM FASHION SHOW DURING ROOTS & RADIANCE EVENT!

Fashion is more than what we wear—it is storytelling, heritage, resistance, creativity, and freedom.

Join us at Roots & Radiance for a special fashion showcase celebrating Black designers, culture, and artistic expression through wearable art and contemporary fashion.

When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Start Time: 5:00 PM
Where: Art Love Salon | Seattle, WA

Featuring collections from:

🖤 SWF.SEASONS.CLOTHING
🖤 Heartwear Collective
🖤 African Print Takeover

Experience bold designs, cultural inspiration, and unique perspectives from creatives who are shaping the future of fashion while honoring their roots.

Come early for our Parade of Queens at 4:15 PM, then enjoy the Fashion Show Finale as we close out an unforgettable day of community, culture, music, and creativity.

Free & Open to the Public!

Where Heritage, Fashion, and Freedom Meet.

Address

Federal Way, WA

Telephone

+18038144868

Website

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