The ReThread Project
Keeping costume heritage alive one stitch at a time.
The ReThread Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports and promotes sustainable costume and garment production and preservation through education, scholarships, and apprenticeships for the film, theater, fashion and performing arts communities.
Our Mission
The ReThread Project was born from a deep love of craft—of designing, making, procuring, and storytelling. It grew from the shared passion of artists, costumers, and visionaries who understand that every garment carries a history, every stitch holds meaning, and every creation tells a story worth preserving. Rooted in this belief, The ReThread Project works to honor the artistry and labor behind costume and garment making, ensuring that the traditions, skills, and narratives of this vibrant craft continue to inspire generations to come..
The garment district houses many of these legacy small businesses that have catered to our industry along the fashion industry. Working in tandem with the two creative sectors an opportunity presented itself through the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX) plan to help secure the future of our collective industries that cater to almost every piece of clothing that you see, from the stage, screen, runway or on the very streets of the city we call home.
Endorsed and Supported
The ReThread Project is officially endorsed by Tony Award Winning Costume Designer Susan Hilferty, and has received a generous start up grant from Don Freas of The Freas Foundation Inc.
​
The Costume Industry Coalition (CIC), which was formed during the pandemic, passed the baton to The ReThread Project after the coalition sunsetted, granting us its remaining funds.
​
The ReThread Project is also supported by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, the representative voice of designers and artists for the entertainment industry.​​
“As a person, as a woman, as an actress, I know that the clothes we wear—on the street or the runway, on a stage or on a film set—tell stories about who we are and where we come from and where we dream of going. That’s why this project needs to happen, and why New York’s garment district needs to stay alive and thriving.”
​
- Greta Lee, Actor & Filmmaker
Did You Know?
85% of discarded clothing pieces end up in landfills. Most productions use pieces only once.
Source: earth.org
