6397 x Creative Growth Fashion Show & Pop-Up Shop

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, New York will experience a runway event unlike anything else this season. Stella Ishii, founder of the label 6397 and owner of NEWS showroom, joins forces with Creative Growth Art Center, the pioneering Oakland-based nonprofit for artists with developmental disabilities, to present a runway fundraiser co-hosted by Paper magazine cofounder Kim Hastreiter.

This one-night-only event is both a celebration of Creative Growth’s fashion program and a continuation of the partnership between NEWS and Creative Growth that has redefined the intersection of art and fashion for more than two decades.

Event Details

📅 Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025

⏰ Time: VIP Preview 5:00 PM | General Admission 6:00 PM | Runway Show 6:30 PM

📍 Location: NEWS, 495 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY

About the Collection

Runway pieces begin as prêt-à-porter 6397 garments, sent to Oakland for Creative Growth artists to transform. Through painting, stitching, appliqué, and hand-crafted embellishments, each garment emerges as a one-of-a-kind wearable artwork. The collection is a fusion of downtown New York style and Creative Growth’s unparalleled originality.

Each year, collectors and fashion lovers flock to this intimate runway show and seek out each year’s runway pieces for their singular vision and rarity. This is the second runway fashion show of this kind in NYC.

Accompanying the show is a pop-up shop, featuring additional pieces from the collection as well as original Creative Growth artwork. Each purchase directly supports Creative Growth’s free studio program.

A Legacy of Collaboration

The evening celebrates a more than two decade long relationship, rooted in a shared belief that art and fashion are at their most powerful when they champion individuality. Two of the earliest champions to recognize Creative Growth's talents were Kim Hastreiter and Stella Ishii

In 2001, Ishii hosted the first New York solo exhibition of the late fiber artist Judith Scott, whose intricate yarn and textile sculptures have since been exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, Venice Bianale, MoMA, SFMOMA, and Centre Pompidou.

At the same time, Kim became one of Creative Growth’s most vocal advocates and helped establish a lasting bridge between Creative Growth and the fashion community, one that continues to flourish today. Kim and Stella brought Creative Growth into conversation with influential figures across the art and fashion worlds, including Cheryl Dunn, David Byrne, Marc Jacobs, Levi’s, and many others.

Why It Matters

For five decades, Creative Growth has empowered artists with developmental disabilities, advancing the disability arts movement and shaping the contemporary art world. All proceeds from this evening directly support our free studio program, ensuring that artists continue to create, exhibit, and thrive.

Art collectors and donors are a critical part of the Creative Growth community. Art sales and individual donations comprise the majority of Creative Growth’s funding, sustaining the high-level quality of support in our studio while continuing to exhibit the artists’ work in the U.S and throughout the world.

2025 Host Committee

Stella Ishii — Founder of 6397 and owner of NEWS showroom

Kim Hastreiter — Co-founder of Paper magazine and cultural visionary

Mickey Boardman — Editorial Director of Paper magazine

Clare Vivier — Founder of Clare V.

Kristen Naiman — Chief Brand Officer of The Real Real

Nicole Phelps — Global Director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business

Lisa Smilor — Vice President of the CFDA

Julie Gilhart — Founder and president of GILHART & Co

Cheryl Dunn — Acclaimed photographer and filmmaker

Michael Breland — Co-founder of Breland-Harper and President of the Creative Growth Art Center Board of Directors

Karla Arria-Devoe — Arts patron and advocate for inclusive creativity

KAWS — Artist and Designer

James Spindler — Creative director and branding leader

Andrew Edlin — Owner, Andrew Edlin Gallery and Outsider Art Fair

Steff Yotka — Global Editorial Director of iD

Lynette Nylander — Executive Digital Director Harpers Bazaar

José Criales-Unzueta — Fashion News Editor at Vogue Runway

Alex Tieghi-Walker — Owner and gallerist of Tiwa Select

Bobbi Menuez — Editor at Large for Purple Magazine

Nick Haramis — Editor at Large for T, The New York Times Style Magazine

Colleen Allen — Creative Director and Founder of Colleen Allen

Stephanie Suberville — Creative Director and Founder of Heirlome

Julian Louie — Creative Director and Founder of Aubero

Joanna Nikas — Style Editor at New York Magazine: The Cut

Beverly Nguyen — Founder of Beverly 1975, Livings Editor at Family Style, and Stylist

Allia Alliata Di Montereale — Style Director of W Magazine

Mara Veitch — Executive Editor of Cultured Magazine

Marcelo Gutierrez — Internationally Recognized and Award-Winning Makeup Artist

Clare Byrne — Fashion Director and Consultant

Ashlynn Park — Creative Director and Founder of Ashlyn

Jason Rider — Stylist and Creative Director of Fantastic Man China

Whitney Mallett — Founding Editor of The Whitney Review of New Writing

Thomas Barger — Artist

About Creative Growth

Creative Growth is a non-profit organization based in Oakland, California that advances the inclusion of artists with developmental disabilities in contemporary art and strengthens community by providing a supportive studio environment and gallery representation.

Founded in 1974, Creative Growth has been a pioneering force in the arts and disabilities sector, establishing a model for creative communities where art is an essential form of communication accessible to all. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, Creative Growth has partnered with SFMOMA to present a landmark exhibition showcasing half a century of artistic achievement and innovation.

From the first day Creative Growth started in the East Bay home of Elias Katz and Florence Ludins-Katz, the vision was clear. Art would be the path forward for people with disabilities to express themselves, and a professional gallery would exhibit their work.

The Creative Growth Studio is home to over 140 artists who work in a variety of media. Facilitated by professional artists, the studio provides artistic support, high-quality materials, and space for painting, drawing, ceramics, woodwork, fiber arts, printmaking, and digital media. The studio is an open space, converted 12,000 square foot former auto repair shop.

The Creative Growth Gallery exhibits and promotes Creative Growth artists by placing their work in major collections and institutions worldwide. It presents public exhibitions in the Oakland gallery and represents Creative Growth artists at national and international art fairs every year.

As a non-profit gallery, all artwork sales directly support the artists and Creative Growth, which uses the proceeds to purchase materials and keep the program running. Our artists have been acquired by prominent collections worldwide, including MoMA, SFMOMA, Centre Pompidou, the Smithsonian, the Studio Museum of Harlem, Collection de L’Art Brut, Treger St. Silvestre Collection, ICA Miami, and the American Folk Art Museum.

Creative Growth x 6397 Fashion Show and Pop-Up Shop

An unforgettable runway experience uniting art, fashion, and community.