January Town Hall: Fashion

For our first Town Hall of the year, A4 is focused on fashion. Designers and leaders in fashion are invited to share their projects, resources, and opportunities with the AAPI creative community, as well as make new connections.

Featured presenters include designer Rujuta Sheth, who will share the ins and outs of running her namesake collection that is expressed through organic, handwoven textiles and traditional techniques. We’ll also hear from Tsui Pappas, a consultant in sustainable sourcing practices, who will share about her work spanning design, development, and production partnering with prominent brands like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen, and Herve Leger, as well as organizations like CFDA.

Additionally, the evening will feature a line-up of brief pitches from the community. After the presentations, we’ll host a potluck meal, so please bring something to share; homemade or store bought items are welcome. A4 will provide drinks.

Thank you to our event partner Prime Produce, a grassroots collective of friends, family, and neighbors committed to better serving our communities.

This event is FREE and open to the public. RSVP is required to attend and/or pitch, but you do not have to pitch to attend.

For pitching guidelines and other information about A4 Town Halls, please visit our FAQ. If you have additional questions, please email programs@aaartsalliance.org.

Accessibility: Prime Produce is wheelchair accessible and has gendered restrooms.

If you need CART Transcription, ASL interpretation, large print, or any other accommodations for this event, please email programs@aaartsalliance.org at least one week before this event.

About Rujuta Sheth

Rujuta Sheth is a New York-based designer creating vibrant, effortless clothing that blends modern style with artisanal craftsmanship. Inspired by travel, color, and culture, her pieces celebrate individuality and comfort while supporting artisans and sustainable practices, making everyday wear expressive and beautifully crafted.

She travels often, and draws inspiration from the cultures and landscapes she experiences. Born in India, she grew up surrounded by artisans, weavers, beaders, and embroiderers. When she launched her namesake line in 2015, she naturally returned to tap into the creativity and craftsmanship she knew so well. Her collection juxtaposes traditional technique with modern silhouette, expressed through organic and handwoven textiles. Rujuta is committed to sustainability and longevity in all facets of design, production, and wearability.

About Tsui Pappas

Tsui Pappas is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. She is a creative executive with over 25 years in the fashion industry. Her career started in design and has expanded to become an expert in sustainable sourcing and practices.

She held roles as the VP of Development and Production for global brands
such as Theory, Alexander Wang, and 31. Phillip Lim. Tsui is a fellow with the nonprofit Bulid-a-Nest that supports artisan businesses worldwide. Tsui is a frequent lecturer at Parsons School of Design, FIT, and Columbia University. She serves on the board of Fashion Arts Xchange, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for POC in the fashion industry through education and internships.

Tsui currently runs a creative consultancy pioneering in sustainable sourcing and practices. With a deep understanding of supply chain worldwide Pappas Creative LLC assists in business development with the ability to pivot between design, development, and production. Clients include Zac Posen; Herve Leger (Centric Brands) Breakers Hotel Palm Beach, CFDA, SEMS Footwear, Ground Up Intl - footwear, Consifex Portugal, and Les Fearns. Tsui is also a partner in the tech startup TheFitted.com, a new technology that combines measurements and images for a virtual try-on delivering the desired fit and product for consumers.

About A4’s Town Hall

Town Hall is A4’s bi-monthly community gathering event that features presentations, pitches, and power networking over a potluck meal. We welcome artists of all disciplines, as well as arts organizations, to share upcoming projects, find collaborators, or discover new opportunities in a lively space.