EUGENE, OR – Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Founded Fest returned to downtown Eugene on June 8th, drawing residents and visitors to the Farmers Market Pavilion for a vibrant showcase of vintage fashion, local art, and sustainability. Hosted by the popular Founded vintage store and co-sponsored by the city of Eugene’s sustainability department, the annual event has solidified its place as a key community gathering focused on circular economy principles and creative expression.
A Growing Platform for Vintage and Art
The festival featured a robust lineup of 57 vendors, alongside various food booths, offering attendees a wide range of goods and experiences. This represents significant growth for the event, which debuted with just 26 vendors in its first year. The expansion underscores the increasing interest in vintage clothing, locally produced art, and sustainable practices within the Eugene-Springfield area and beyond.
Vintage clothing enthusiasts had ample opportunity to explore offerings from over 35 vendors who traveled from across Oregon. These vendors presented a diverse collection of pieces spanning various eras, reflecting the enduring appeal and environmental benefits of pre-owned apparel. Complementing the vintage market, approximately a dozen local artists displayed and sold original clothing creations, highlighting regional talent and innovative design.
Runway Showcases Sustainable Design
A central highlight of the Founded Fest was a fashion show, which captivated attendees by presenting the work of six local designers. Each designer featured collections crafted using sustainable and reused fabrics, demonstrating creative approaches to reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of textiles. The runway presentation served not only as an artistic display but also as an educational component, emphasizing the potential for style to intersect with environmental responsibility.
The Fix-It Fair: Empowering Repair and Reuse
Integral to the festival’s sustainability theme was the free Fix-It Fair, an initiative designed to empower individuals to repair and extend the life of their belongings rather than discarding them. From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, volunteers offered their skills to mend clothing, repair leather goods, and fix jewelry.
Participation in the Fix-It Fair was managed on a first-come, first-served basis, with attendees limited to bringing one item for repair to ensure as many people as possible could benefit from the service within the allocated time. This practical component directly aligns with the city’s sustainability goals by promoting resource conservation and reducing landfill waste.
Beyond the repair services, the Fix-It Fair also provided a valuable connection point between attendees and the ToolBox Project, a local organization that offers tool loans. This link further encourages a culture of self-sufficiency and shared resources within the community.
Community and Sustainability Synergy
The synergy between the vintage market, the local art showcase, the sustainable fashion show, and the practical repair services of the Fix-It Fair created a holistic event focused on conscious consumption and community engagement. By bringing together vendors, artists, volunteers, and residents, the festival fostered an environment where shared values of creativity, environmental stewardship, and mutual support were celebrated.
The continued growth of Founded Fest, from its modest beginnings to its current scale, reflects a broader trend towards valuing second-hand items, supporting local craftsmanship, and embracing sustainable lifestyles. The collaboration between a local business like Founded vintage store and the city’s sustainability department provides a model for public-private partnerships aimed at promoting environmental awareness and action at the community level. The event serves as a reminder that fashion and personal style can be intertwined with principles of sustainability, reuse, and the strengthening of local community bonds.
