SUSTAINABLE FASHION TAKES SHAPE AT INDUSTRY CITY
Vania Santos radiates sunshine. Maybe it’s the light-drenched studio, the color kaleidoscope of upcycled garments, or her cheerful yet authentic disposition. Either way, good vibes emulate from the artist and dressmaker known for sewing handcrafted products for the home and wardrobe.
Before moving to New York City, Santos lived in her hometown of San Paulo, Brazil, where she learned to sew doll clothes at just four years old. Her mother was one of 17 siblings, and sewing was the family business. In 2007, Santos brought her craft to NYC.
“When I moved here, I was in Williamsburg, and I saw all the people wearing vintage clothes. I started to get into it and I wanted to figure out where to buy it,” said Santos. She was skillful but short on cash when she chanced on the excess clothing and fabric inventory brimming in Brooklyn’s thrift stores. She began giving a second life to once-used clothing, selling her creations at local markets like Brooklyn Flea.
Santos now runs her business from her studio space at Industry City. A curated creator’s haven, her workshop is a collection of books, sewing machines, and fabrics, all of which Santos uses to transform thrifted fabrics into one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces.
Santos is just one of 34 sustainability-centered businesses creating at Industry City. From Equinor, an energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future to Tailored Industry, an on-demand knitwear manufacturer producing zero-waste garments, Industry City is proud to foster an ever-growing ecosystem focused on sustainability.
Are you a maker, creator, or entrepreneur in the sustainability space? Visit our leasing page to learn more about moving your business to Industry City.
RELATED STORIES
Onwards and Upwards: Staged to Sell Home
"The year has flown by, and the holidays are fast approaching. This week, we asked 10 designers—Alyssa Alon, Margaret Donaldson,...
ARTIST D’ANA NUNEZ UNVEILS MAKERS GUILD MURAL
We’re thrilled to announce that multidisciplinary artist and creator D'ana Nunez, known as COVL, has completed a vibrant new mural...
Brian Polen gives sake a Brooklyn twist in Industry City
Brooklyn Daily Eagle August 8, 2024 Alice Gilbert Brian Polen. Photo courtesy of Ward 8 Studios Brooklyn might not be...
Equinor Breaks Ground on Marine Terminal Key to Supporting Offshore Empire Wind 1
"Today Equinor broke ground on construction at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), kicking off the revitalization of the venerable...
Gizmo Maker Adafruit Leaves Manhattan for 42K SF at Brooklyn’s Industry City
"Open-source electronics manufacturer Adafruit Industries is breaking up with Manhattan to join a growing hub of tinkerers at Brooklyn’s Industry City. Adafruit signed...
How Athena Calderone Managed to Make a Bare Industrial Warehouse Feel Homey
"Plus more design tricks from her Brooklyn office. Athena Calderone practices what she podcasts. Back in 2020, the EyeSwoon founder offered up a...
Celebrate Asian American Heritage Month With Brooklyn Night Market
"The first Asian American Heritage Month Celebration and Night Market is on May 23 at Industry City. On Thursday, May...
9 Craft Distilleries to Visit in New York City
"When Alex Clark started Fort Hamilton Distillery in 2016, he was among just a handful of craft producers making spirits in New...
Skanska USA Opening 15K-SF Brooklyn Office for Offshore Wind Project
"The U.S. arm of construction giant Skanska will breeze into a new Brooklyn outpost to serve as a center of operations for...
BK Magazine Names Industry City’s HiFi Provisions Among Brooklyn’s Best Record Shops
HiFi Provisions237 36th Street, Industry City "After years of selling records and stereo equipment at the annual Carroll Park flea...
Social Media Company Puff Media Expands to 15K SF at Industry City
"A company that specializes in going viral online needed more space in the material world — and found it in...
Creating an Artistic Buzz, One Real Estate Development at a Time
By Dave Montgomery Sept. 3, 2024Artwork has been part of urban projects for decades, but a new push from developers looking...
