Fashion Addict

ISABEL VARELA:
When it comes to sustainability, Isabel Varela is an expert in her work, but in a very intriguing way. From a shopaholic with $100,000 debt in clothing to a successful debt-free entrepreneur, Isabel Varela continues to inspire the hearts of many. She educates and empowers individuals to build a better relationship with themselves and the clothing they wear for our planet. Her work includes hosting and producing zero waste events and sustainable workshops, including a mend and repair station and swap shop.

Isabel was awarded "Changemaker of the Year" through the New York City Fair Trade Coalition for her award- winning documentary called "Fashion Addict." She also partners up with well-known non-profits in New York City to engage and educate the
community through her sustainable art activations, including DonateNYC, Sanitation Foundation, New York City Fair Trade Coalition, and the Horticultural Society of New York.

You can view her story on NY1 for her work as a life coach, sustainable artist, and motivational speaker. Her most recent works of art include using fabric scraps, deadstock fabric, and clothing saved from going into the landfill, signifying the astounding amount of textile and plastic waste. The artwork will be at the West Harlem Arts and the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park through July 2022.

Feel free to visit her website at isabelvarela.com and follow her on Instagram. For any inquiries contact her at isabel@isabelvarela.com

JOHNATHAN VARGAS :
Do you remember telling your parents you wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer growing up? Johnathan Vargas does not because his dream was to become a film director and to win an Oscar for one of his many feature-length films. Johnathan is a self-taught filmmaker born and raised in New York City. His passion led him to build his own production company called JV Productions. He has produced several short films, commercials, stop-motion films, and much more for his clients in New York. His well-versed client list includes well-known actors, sustainable fashion designers, New York Fashion Week, and National Geographic artist and explorer. He pulls his inspiration from nature, history, and novels including 1984. He graduated from St. Johns University with a degree in Accounting and works full-time as a store manager at the infamous sportswear store, Jimmy Jazz.

His strength is found through his story-telling and captivating the audience with meticulous attention to details when editing. His most recent short film “Fashion Addict” has been screened globally at colleges including New York University, Columbia University, Baruch, LIM, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Louisiana State University, and Washington State University. He has partnered up with companies such as GoodWill NYNJ, New York Fair Trade Organization, Chicago Fair Trade Organization, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, National Geographic, and United Nation to showcase his film. His goal with each film is to make an impact emotionally and creatively through storytelling.