EUGENE, Oregon – The intersection of vintage fashion, artistic expression, and community-focused sustainability initiatives took center stage in Eugene on June 8, 2025, as the fifth annual Founded Fest convened at the Farmers Market Pavilion. Celebrating the vibrant world of vintage and upcycled fashion, this year’s event underscored a growing local commitment to sustainable practices and community repair.
Hosted by the Founded vintage store, with partial co-hosting support from the City of Eugene’s sustainability department, the festival served as a significant platform for designers, curators, and craftspeople. It drew a substantial crowd eager to explore unique sartorial offerings and engage with local sustainability efforts.
Expanding Scope and Offerings
The 2025 iteration marked a notable expansion for the Founded Fest. Growing significantly from its inaugural year, which featured 26 vendors, this year’s event boasted 57 vendors, showcasing a wide array of vintage clothing and original creations. This included more than 35 vintage clothing vendors who traveled from across Oregon to participate. Complementing the vintage marketplace, about a dozen local artists presented their original clothing designs, highlighting regional talent and innovative approaches to textiles and apparel.
The diversity of fashion on display spanned several decades and styles, offering pieces ranging from Y2K aesthetics to apparel predating the pre-1970s era. Attendees had the opportunity to discover unique finds, including custom items that demonstrated the creative potential of vintage materials. A specific example cited was vendor Bell the World, known for crafting distinctive bell-bottom pants made from vintage fabric, illustrating the transformative power of upcycling.
Beyond the extensive shopping opportunities, the festival curated a dynamic experience that included food booths providing local fare and a fashion show that allowed vendors and artists to showcase their collections on a dynamic runway, drawing enthusiastic onlookers.
A Focus on Community and Sustainability
A cornerstone of the 2025 Founded Fest was its integral focus on community engagement and practical sustainability. A significant element was the free Fix-It Fair, an initiative designed to extend the life cycle of textiles and goods. At this popular station, skilled volunteers offered free repair services for attendees’ personal items, including clothing, leather goods, and jewelry. This hands-on approach directly addressed textile waste and promoted a culture of repair over disposal.
Further enhancing the event’s community and sustainability mission was the presence of The ToolBox Project. This organization participated by offering tool loans, providing access to resources that empower individuals to undertake their own repair and creative projects, thereby fostering self-sufficiency and reducing the need for new purchases.
The partnership with the City of Eugene’s sustainability department underscored the municipal support for such community-led initiatives that align with broader environmental goals. This collaboration highlights how local government can effectively support and promote events that encourage eco-conscious behaviors and circular economy principles.
Significance in the Local Landscape
The Found Fest, in its fifth year, has solidified its position as a key annual event in Eugene’s cultural calendar. It successfully blends commercial activity with educational and community-service components. The celebration of vintage and upcycled fashion not only promotes a unique aesthetic but also champions environmentally friendly consumption patterns in an industry often criticized for its environmental impact. The inclusion of repair services and tool access further embeds the principles of sustainability and resourcefulness within the event’s core identity.
The bustling atmosphere at the Farmers Market Pavilion on June 8, 2025, reflected the community’s enthusiastic embrace of this multifaceted event. It serves as a tangible example of how cities and local businesses can collaborate to create platforms that celebrate creativity, support local economies, and foster a collective commitment to a more sustainable future.
The success of the fifth annual Founded Fest suggests a growing appreciation within the Eugene-Springfield area for events that offer more than just commerce, providing valuable community services and promoting sustainable living through engaging and accessible means.
