NYFW Fall Mixer: The Future of Fashion is Community
The Future of Fashion is Community
Fall NYFW 2025 | REFIND x TAFF
📍 Arete Studios, 149 Grand St, NYC
📅 Thursday, September 11, 2025
This NYFW, join REFIND Collective and The Art of Fashion & Food for Future of Fashion is Community—an immersive evening celebrating the intersection of style, technology, and culture.
From 4–7 PM, explore interactive demos, pop-ups, and a fireside chat highlighting how community and innovation are shaping fashion’s next era.
Then, transition into an intimate soirée from 7:30–9:30 PM, featuring cocktails, passed canapés by Chef George Castillo and a panel on the evolving role of community in fashion.
About the Hosts
REFIND Collective | Host: Loriza Ibarra
REFIND Collective is a community platform for fashion and creative entrepreneurs, built on the belief that the future of fashion lies in collaboration, shared knowledge, and meaningful connection. Through curated events, panels, and tech-enabled matchmaking, REFIND empowers founders, creatives, and innovators to grow together.
Founder Loriza Ibarra is an entrepreneur and creative strategist who has curated experiences at SXSW, NYFW, and beyond. Her work bridges fashion, community, and technology to create spaces where collaboration becomes opportunity.
The Art of Fashion and Food (TAFF)
Allison Mendoza, daughter of Peruvian immigrants and former AVP of Design at Victoria’s Secret, and Laura Garcia, a former tech sales consultant turned global nomad and advocate for Latina entrepreneurship, co-founded The Art of Fashion and Food to celebrate the vibrant intersection of style, cuisine, and culture. Together, they curate gatherings that bring people together through sensory storytelling and shared identity.
🍴Soiree: About the Chef
Chef George Castillo
Chef George Castillo’s culinary journey is rooted in both innovation and intention. Having honed his craft at acclaimed kitchens like Atoboy, Momofuku, Le Coucou, and Manhatta, he now leads as Executive Chef at Oases New York. His menus weave global inspiration with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, creating dishes designed to nourish the body, delight the senses, and restore balance.
Beyond the plate, George’s vision is community: crafting mindful dining experiences that celebrate ingredients, honor the seasons, and bring people closer through the shared language of food. Recognized by The New York Times and Forbes, he continues to redefine what it means to cook with both purpose and passion.
Sponsors: REFIND Collective, The Art of Fashion & Food, Tblscape
4:00 – 4:30 PM | Guest Arrival & Welcome
Check-in + wristbands
Welcome drinks/light bites – light snacks provided
4–5:30 PM | Demo showcase + networking
Demos:
Demo: Virtual Try On | ThredX
Demo: 3D Printed Bras | &Her
Demo: AI-Powered Vintage Shopping Assistant | Retrofit
Demo: Second-Hand Swap | BeReworn
Demo: Peer-To-Peer Fashion Rental | TryBaro
Vendors:
Vendor: Second-Hand Swap | BeReworn
Vendor: Sustainable Luxury RTW | Cindy Castro
6:00–6:45 PM | PANEL & NETWORKING
Intros from both before panel
Panel Theme: Fashion’s New Era: Community, Tech & Access
Panel Moderated by: Loriza Ibarra | REFIND
Panelist: Sam Cerwin | BeReworn
Panelist: McCall Capozzi | Hermana Agency
Panelist: Mary Korlin-Downs | Beni & All Things Fashion Tech
Panelist: Sarah Beachler | Motley Data