The Glossy Podcast

Fashion Month Edition: Studio 189's Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah on using fashion as an agent for social change

Sep 10, 2023

Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, founders of Studio 189, discuss the social impact of their sustainable fashion brand. They talk about their collaboration with the Lower East Side Girls Club, using fashion for social change, the importance of collaborations, and the legacy they want to leave in the fashion industry.

27:32

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Episode guests

Rosario Dawson

Abrima Erwiah

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Studio 189 focuses on creating fashion that goes beyond clothes by building a community and promoting education and opportunities for creative talents.

Studio 189 embraces slow fashion, prioritizing quality, longevity, and ethical practices, while encouraging a conversation about the impact of fashion on the planet and its people.

Deep dives

The Purpose of Studio 189: Empowering Communities Through Fashion

Studio 189, co-founded by Avriela Irvia and Rosario Dawson, is focused on creating fashion that goes beyond just the clothes. They aim to build a community, promote education, and provide opportunities for creative talents. The brand's collaboration with the Lower East Side Girls Club, for example, showcases their commitment to supporting organizations aligned with their values. Studio 189 is dedicated to telling a wider story of Africa, highlighting its beauty, craftsmanship, and talent, while also addressing the social issues faced by its artisans.

Introduction

2min

Building a Meaningful Partnership with the Lower East Side Girls Club

6min

Fashion as a Vehicle for Social Change

13min

Collaborating with Other Brands and Building Trust

2min

The High-Level Goal and Legacy of the Show

3min

It’s a new era for fashion month, where designer collections are just one piece of the pie. As brands across price points and specialties aim to compete in the increasingly competitive retail landscape, more are taking advantage of the opportunity and approaching it strategically. They’re cutting through the noise with innovative marketing tactics, introducing new commerce plays and leveraging advanced digital capabilities to best showcase their products. In this podcast series, running throughout Fashion Month Spring 2024, Glossy and influential leaders are breaking down the evolution of the experiential event.

In this episode, we sit down with Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, founders of Studio 189, the 10-year-old fashion brand and social enterprise that hosted a runway show on Sunday. CFDA award-winning Studio 189 sustainably produces its clothing in Africa, plus it supports education, skills training and community-led projects. Dawson and Erwiah discuss how they’ve built and grown a company with purpose, and how a consistent presence at New York Fashion Week has served the brand well. This episode was recorded amid bustling NYFW, in Showfields’ NoHo location.