Join your community for the third annual Fashion Performance Sewn Seeds and help support the operation of Oakland Women’s Center!
WHEN: Sat., Mar. 25 – Doors open at 6:30pm Show starts at 7pm
Photo/Ewan Duarte Productions 2016
WHAT: Sewn Seeds ~ Growing Strong ~ A Unique Oakland Fashion Performance
- Showcasing local designers, vendors and performers.
- Appetizers and desserts provided
- Two full bars at the event venue where guests can purchase drinks
- Exciting new designers each year
- Clothes, jewelry and other innovative fare for sale by local vendors
- Honoring Community Warrior – three nominees in the running who have championed service to women
- Veronica Dangerfield, financial educator, award-winning speaker, published poet and professional comedienne, is the emcee
WHERE: Oakland Metro Operahouse, 522 2nd St in Oakland
ADMISSION: Support those who are helping others! Buy tickets!
HISTORY: Sewn Seeds – Cycles of Fruition premiered in Sept. 2014. Ten local designers, performers, artists and vendors came together to stage an amazing event at the California Ballroom. With the money raised, and the support of Womens Centers International, Oakland Women’s Center opened in May 2015 at 2811 Adeline in West Oakland.
2017 is the event’s THIRD year. Take a look at fun highlights from the 2016 Sewn Seeds~Blossoms of Spring event ~ which attracted 200 attendees to the Uptown Nightclub. With the proceeds, Oakland Women’s Center hosted a variety of workshops to enhance the skills of members. Learn more about the mission and services of Oakland Women’s Center, supported by Women’s Centers International.
Photo/Ewan Duarte Productions 2016
“Sewn Seeds is our premier fundraising event,” says Alison Mata, program director and event producer. “And it’s tons of fun! Each year there are great performances and unique new designers. People are always happy. The energy is great and changes from eclectic to inspiring – all dependent on the different designers and host of performers each year. It’s very Oakland!”
DESIGNERS (partial list):
Fantabela is an ethnic fashion line. Founder Esther Fame’s vision is to share the African culture in its beauty and complexity through her designs. “Most of my designs and products are inspired by my African themed paintings.I also have a passion to help improve the lives of Third world countries’ artisans. As I, work with local seamstresses and tailors from Cameroon to help me manufacture my designs.”
Elena Zlokazova is a Russian fashion designer (now local), artist, author and founder of the ideological line of clothing Elena Zlokazova.
Field Day emerged from the desire to make timeless, impeccably crafted clothing from completely conscious materials that transcend trendy and were made to make history. Made in Oakland at 329 19th st.
UGRW is based in Oakland and inspired by U. The Craft is the first collection of made-to-order designs designed by Tiffany Stewart -apparel for people ever-changing and evolving. Unique craftsmanship and quality apparel.
Designer and founder is fashion artist Tiffany Stewart. “UGRW’s first collection Craft was inspired by being an individual and expressing that through fashion,” says Tiffany. “As a designer I really wanted to focus on clothing that resonates with people. Representing that through fashion reflecting the inner person, thus, generating their own unique style. UGRW is an Oakland based brand made and crafted in the Bay Area. Oakland plays a major role in the inspiration as well as foundation of the clothing brand. UGRW represents clothing for the people ever-changing and evolving. Matching comfort and style while enhancing craftsmanship and quality.
Photo/Ewan Duarte Productions 2016
“As a member,” continues Tiffany, “Sewn Seeds is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the community in a positive way as well as artistic. This event is a perfect way to connect, support and strengthen the community. The Women’s Center plays an important role in advocating for women and generating the community support. It’s my pleasure and duty to support those who help others!”
Photo/Ewan Duarte Productions 2016
WOMEN’S CENTER INTERNATIONAL:
WCI invests in the power of women, opening centers in low-income neighborhoods around the world. According to executive director and founder Susan Burgess-Lent, “Women and girls are key to building a sustainable prosperous future for humanity and yet, that vast potential languishes. Worldwide. women still have no choice about bearing children. Domestic and sexual violence are epidemic. The gender pay gap has not narrowed in a generation. Education and healthcare remain out of reach for many. WCI plans to establish 70 women’s centers globally over the next six years. These centers provide a safe environment where women can access the knowledge training and ongoing support they need to survive.” WCI launched the Oakland Women’s Center in 2015.
OAKLAND WOMEN’S CENTER:
In three to four years, the OWC hopes to become self-sustaining and able to continue to serve its community of women in Oakland. “People come to us for a variety of reasons,” explains Alison Mata. “We help them with housing and jobs and offer counseling and a safe place to go as they are transitioning from homelessness to transitional housing. Some just need an advocate to navigate the system. It’s not easy to sign up for services.”
(Besides being program director for OWC, Alison Mata was a co-lead of the Women’s March that drew 100,000 members to march in Oakland on Jan. 21, 2017. When interviewed on KPIX5 that morning, she said she was expecting maybe 30,000!)
Saturday & Sunday, June 24/25 vibrant colors, serene landscapes, fine animal drawings, exquisite jewelry and beautiful Japanese inspired vases plus more fill the sidewalks of Montclair in the Oakland hills. It’s such a fun event and going into its 42nd year! 
65 artists will display their wares along Mountain Blvd. and La Salle Ave. in Montclair Village. The Pacific Fine Arts show is a free two-day event from 10am-6pm on Sat. and 10am – 5pm on Sun. On Sunday you can also shop for fresh produce as the Farmers Market is from 9am – 1pm on La Salle Ave.
Walking through the tall doors of Ratto’s, you may journey back to the time years ago when you first discovered this hidden gem in its beautiful Victorian storefront in Old Oakland. Giovanni Battista Ratto opened his shop in 1897 as one of the first groceries offering Mediterranean spices, bulk rice, beans and pasta, Italian Olive Oils and more. Besides serving the Bay Area, people would travel from the valley for two hours just to come here and buy the ingredients they needed to prepare their family recipes in the small towns where they lived. G.B. was Elena Durante’s great grandfather. Her grandfather and father, both named Martin Durante, carried on the tradition until Elena took over the business in 2001.
were one of the few specialty grocery stores here and helped people continue their culinary traditions.” 
It has that hint of Old World Market with influences from France, Italy and Spain. There’s also Orange and Rose Flower Water, Pomegranate Molasses, Dolmas and some Turkish products, a great tahini and Lemon Infused Olive Oil from Italy. “Another thing people love about us is that we have a great selection of chocolate bars – good for that afternoon snack,” adds Elena.
“Fridays are a great day to visit Ratto’s,” adds Elena. “There’s gorgeous local produce in the Friday Farmers Market outside our doors. You can buy basil and tomatoes and come inside to buy the olive oil and pasta.”
