EUGENE, Oregon – The city of Eugene recently played host to the fifth annual Founded Fest, an event rapidly establishing itself as a significant fixture in the region’s calendar for proponents of sustainable living and creative entrepreneurship. Held on June 8th at the bustling Farmers Market Pavilion in Eugene, Oregon, this year’s festival, organized in part by the city of Eugene’s sustainability department, underscored the growing appeal of vintage fashion and the strength of local community.
Conceived as a platform to promote sustainable fashion and celebrate local artistry, Founded Fest showcased a diverse array of offerings. Central to the event were over 35 vintage clothing vendors, who traveled from across Oregon to present curated collections spanning a wide chronological range – from the vibrant aesthetics of the Y2K era to classic pieces predating the 1970s. This broad spectrum ensured that attendees could discover unique items catering to various tastes and styles, reinforcing the concept of circular fashion.
A Hub for Local Creativity
Beyond the extensive vintage selection, approximately a dozen local artists were present, exhibiting and selling their original clothing creations. Their work represented the breadth of the local creative scene, featuring items such as custom bikinis, abstract painted bandanas, and uniquely designed soccer jerseys. Among these vendors was Bell the World, an artist who has carved out a niche specializing in bell-bottom pants meticulously crafted from repurposed vintage material, highlighting an innovative approach to textile reuse.
The festival has experienced substantial growth since its inception. What began with 26 vendors has expanded significantly, featuring 57 vendors at this year’s event, in addition to dedicated food booths. This expansion reflects increasing participation from both vendors and the public, signaling a strong community embrace of the festival’s core values.
Event Highlights and Practical Sustainability
The 2024 iteration of Founded Fest included several key attractions designed to engage attendees. A notable fashion show provided a dynamic showcase for both vintage finds and locally designed apparel, illustrating how these pieces can be styled and integrated into modern wardrobes. Complementing the retail aspect was a free Fix-It Fair, offering practical sustainability solutions.
Attendees of the Fix-It Fair could bring one item for repair, with services available for clothing, leather goods, and jewelry. Operated on a first-come, first-served basis, this component of the festival directly addressed the issue of textile waste by offering alternatives to discarding damaged items. Furthermore, the fair provided a valuable connection point, allowing attendees to interact with the ToolBox Project, an organization facilitating tool loans within the community, thereby extending the principles of repair and resource sharing beyond textiles.
The Vision Behind Founded Fest
The driving force behind Founded Fest is Michaels, the 23-year-old owner of the Founded vintage store, located at 749 Willamette St. in Eugene. Michaels organizes the annual event with a clear mission rooted in promoting sustainable fashion, fostering local artistry, encouraging self-expression, and building community. His vision is to create a space where individuals can not only find unique and environmentally conscious clothing options but also connect with local creators and participate in practices that reduce environmental impact.
Michaels emphasizes that the event is more than just a marketplace; it is a celebration of creativity and a practical demonstration of how fashion can be both personal and planet-friendly. By bringing together vendors offering pre-loved clothes and artists creating new pieces from recycled materials, the festival presents a compelling alternative to fast fashion, aligning with Eugene’s broader sustainability goals.
The fifth annual Founded Fest and its accompanying Fix-It Fair successfully combined commerce, creativity, and community action. The event at the Farmers Market Pavilion served as a vibrant example of how local initiatives can effectively champion sustainability and support the arts, drawing participants from across the state and reinforcing Eugene’s reputation as a hub for environmentally conscious and culturally rich activities.
