Take note, budding clothing designers eager to enter the world of independent design: There is no need to go it alone when others are there to share their experiences.

Jason Calderon, designer of West Daily’s modern men’s and women’s wear, shares his wealth of experience in a free class on Thursday, December 29. Calderon has worked on basketball apparel for Adidas, has taught at the Portland Fashion Institute and in the Apparel Department at the Art Institute, and presented lauded West Daily collections at shows like Fade to Light while also picking up a PFSA award for Best Emerging Designer. Whew. It’s a lot.

All the more reasons to to the Cleaners at the Ace in the dead week between Christmas and New Year’s to hear Calderon run through the ins and outs of starting a local line on a small budget.

“I will share my experience of running my line, working with show producers, buyers, stylists, models, etc.” he promises. “And I will provide the attendees with a free shirt pattern and a free booklet I am writing with answers to typical apparel business questions. I will also have some beer provided by Coalition Brewing.” 

While the program is free to the public, Calderon is soliciting donations for the ACLU, with 100 percent of the money left in the donation jar at the end of the evening going straight to the civil liberties organization. If you can’t donate, don’t. If you can, do. Either way, take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn from a working designer.

How to Start a Clothing Brand
6–8 p.m. Thursday, December 29
The Cleaners at the Ace