Previous Speaking Engagements
US
COLLEGES/HIGH SCHOOLS Berkeley College CSU Long Beach (California State University) - the Duncan Anderson Design Lecture Series Environmental Charter High School - Career Day FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) Los Angeles Innovative Materials & Textile Conference" FIDM San Francisco FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) LIM (Laboratory Institute of Merchandising) Loyola Law - The Fashion Law Project / Green is the New Black MUSE School (Mentor) NYU (New York University) Pepperdine University San Francisco State College Santa Monica College The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles University of Michigan Westwood College |
US (continued)
EVENTS/ORGANIZATIONS Anakazi Beyond the Label Series Beyond the Label - A Sustainable Fashion Show / The City of Santa Monica / Sustainable Works / SMC Burbank Alliance The Children's Nature Institute Digital LA - Green Goes Digital Digital LA @ Green Festival Digital LA @ Smart Car Lounge Efactor FBI (Fashion Business Inc.) FGI (Fashion Group International) Film & Fashion Field Trip SF & Ojai - Teens Turning Green, Patagonia... Green Festival Los Angeles '11 - ECHS R'ashion DIY Green Festival Los Angeles '13- Kids Zone Green Festival Los Angeles '16 - Beyond the Label T-shirt Exchange Green Festival San Francisco '16 H&M - I:CO - EcoDivas "2 DIY 4" The HUB NYC The New Mart Net Impact PETA Phoenix Fashion Meet Up Salvation Army SFSFWI SIMA (Social Media Impact Awards) Skirball Cultural Center Sourcing at MAGIC Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Sustainatopia Sundance Film Festival Take Back Your Health TEDxLA *Tomorrowear - Wearable Tech UN Women Los Angeles - Safe Cities Women of the Green Generation World Fest |
INTERNATIONAL
ECO FASHION TEACHING TOUR AFRICA CeLIM - Italian NGO - Mongu, Zambia Namanunga School - Lusaka, Zambia We Have Faith - Johannesburg, South Africa YMCA - Lusaka, Zambia Youth Environmental Network Zambia - Kafue, Lusaka, and Siavonga ZNBC "Sustainable Celeb Lecture" - Lusaka, Zambia TV & RADIO AFRICA Smooth Talk (Zambia's #1 Talk show) Q FM (Top Zambian Pop Station) ECO FASHION SHOWS RUSSIA L'Armitage Garden - Moscow Ah Bar - Moscow Red Square - Moscow ECO FASHION SWEDEN (in LA) Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce - A Swedish Fashion Delegation Visit in LA |
INSTRUCTOR
FIDM / Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising – “Sustainability & the Fashion Industry” (7 years+) Environmental Charter High School (Youth Policy Institute) - "R'ashion" / Recycled Fashion Environmental Charter Middle School – “Handworks” - Eco Art related to Ancient Civilization Hollywood Arts (Saving Young Lives Through Art) – “Recycled Fashion”
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Honors
- 2007 - Warner Bros. - Carrot Award
- 2008 - Warner Bros. - Emerging Professionals plaque
- 2009 - Hollywood Media Arts - Teacher of the Month
- 2011 - Namununga School Sports Day, Zambia - Guest of Honor
- 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015 - Los Angeles Business Journal - Women Making a Difference Award Nominee
- 2013 & 2014 - Dress for Success - In-kind Lead for Eco pop-up shop inside the Shop for Success Pop-up Shop
- 2013 - Dress for Success - Certificate of Appreciation for Commitment to the Betterment of Women's Lives
- 2013 & 2014 - UN Women Los Angeles - Arts Chair
- 2014 - LA 4 UN Women "Safe Cities LA" (United Nations) - Certificate of Appreciation for Valuable Contribution - Creative Expression & Emotional Well Being
- 2015 - eduPOWERED Media Group and Champions Against Bullying - eduPOWERED Fashions Against Bullying Award
- 2015 - eduPOWERED Media Network - Green Hero Award
- 2016 - Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles - Best Public Advocate for Sustainability Award Finalist (Nominated alongside winner Mayor Eric Garcetti)
- 2016 - Best Green Thought Leader of 2016 Award - Green Living Guy
- 2016 - 2018 - UN Women Los Angeles - Fashion Chair
- 2016 & 2017- Santa Monica College Fashion Department - Advisory Board Member & La MODE Fashion Show Judge
- 2017 - Gratitude International Visions and Dreams Fulfilled - The Eco Gratitude Award
- 2017 - Infinite Flow - Advisory Board member
- 2018 - Fashion Revolution USA - Advisory Board Member
Testimonials
"Taryn is the real thing when it comes to using humor to get a very powerful message across."
~ Rachelle Carson-Begley
Environmental Activist and star of Living With Ed
"I love her, love her...I love her. Taryn Hipwell. Love. Mwa!"
~ Nick Verreos
Red carpet fashion expert and correspondent
Project Runway & E! Entertainment
"Taryn has been a featured speaker at the Environmental Charter High School Career Day as well as created an incredible (R'ashion) program on our campuses. It's exciting to have Taryn working to engage our students' creative passion for fashion all while using sustainable repurposed resources. What our kids are creating is inspiring!"
~ Alison Suffet-Diaz
Founder and Executive Director
Environmental Charter Schools
"I take this opportunity to thank Taryn, because she has been our Guest of Honor. I take this pledge that Namanunga will carry on. We will always be focused on how to keep green."
~ Puni Hamir
Head of Namununga School
Plot 10431 Los Angeles Road, Lusaka, Zambia
"It was such an honor working with you Taryn! I’m glad that I joined the R'ashion (Recycled Fashion) class and had you to show us awesome programs and companies through the field trips. You really opened my eyes! I hope other schools can have awesome R’ashion programs & teachers just like you!"
~ Patricia Green
Environmental Charter High School Graduate
"Taryn's consciousness about planet pollution, low wage workers, recycling, etc. are very important today and I was impressed how she tackles those issues in her company (while making money to live)!"
~ M.K.
Student at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC
"Working with Taryn and the BTL crew…
From the first moment I heard Taryn speak at the Loyola Law Fashion Project’s “Green is the
New Black” seminar, and realizing she was the EcoDiva who I have talked of in my fashion
classes, I immediately approached her to speak at Santa Monica College! SMC’s mission is to
include sustainability in all educational arenas. My Fashion Department really takes it to heart.
Taryn’s sincere message, coupled with her multi-disciplinary background (styling, design,
producing, writing) gave gravitas to her cause. As educators, we are always careful to select
speakers who ethically operate, know their subject, and are not out solely for personal gain.
Taryn exemplifies the best of selfless motivation to educate all, in word and deed.
This proved to be infectious at SMC, where she captivated students with her research,
personal conviction, and ability to make her audience really think about sustainability - not as
some condition too far-reaching to be involved with – but as a daily way of living.
Taryn’s first interaction with SMC created such an interest that several design students
immediately got involved with BtL and are now solely designing sustainable! One designer said
she always had a passion for fashion, but because of Taryn, she has passion of purpose.
That alone is the reason why educators teach – to share their passion and engage students to
do so, as well. I, as an educator and author, thank Taryn for tangibly bringing classroom
content into action, and spearheading such amazing projects that go well beyond the
classroom… as hers goes “Beyond the Label.”
I knew I had to connect our energetic, forward-thinking SMC sustainable leader, Ferris Kawar,
with Taryn, as well as with Sustainable Works.org on our campus. Our ideas flowed, and with
Sustainable Works team members Gina and Kaya, a screening of “The True Cost” was
planned, as well as a following panel discussion.
I had developed a “Chop Shop” competition where students could use old, damaged, or dead
stock garments, remnants, findings, or trim and recreate styles by deconstructing / upcycling
recycling. SMC’s talented merchandisers and designers answered the call, creating garments
that were definitely fashion forward and runway-worthy. Thanks to Taryn, these garments
were indeed showcased on the runway, along with other green fashion resources – resale,
thrift, vintage, and new -- - because of Beyond the Label and Sustainable Works.
I was happy to connect Taryn with interview host and art world’s luminary patron, Joan
Agajanian Quinn, whose personal mission has always been to bring culture, creativity, and
education to the public. These two had to meet, and a wonderful television interview on
Beverly Hills View spread Taryn’s sincerity of purpose and message of style with
consciousness.
Education is about clearly stating facts, sourcing background research, and raising curiosity.
Taryn manages to do all three with sincerity of purpose.
As I said, Taryn acts. And when she does, students benefit in every way. She leads by
example. And for that, I am eternally grateful."
~ Lorrie Ivas
Associate Professor - Business/Retail/Fashion at Santa Monica College
~ Rachelle Carson-Begley
Environmental Activist and star of Living With Ed
"I love her, love her...I love her. Taryn Hipwell. Love. Mwa!"
~ Nick Verreos
Red carpet fashion expert and correspondent
Project Runway & E! Entertainment
"Taryn has been a featured speaker at the Environmental Charter High School Career Day as well as created an incredible (R'ashion) program on our campuses. It's exciting to have Taryn working to engage our students' creative passion for fashion all while using sustainable repurposed resources. What our kids are creating is inspiring!"
~ Alison Suffet-Diaz
Founder and Executive Director
Environmental Charter Schools
"I take this opportunity to thank Taryn, because she has been our Guest of Honor. I take this pledge that Namanunga will carry on. We will always be focused on how to keep green."
~ Puni Hamir
Head of Namununga School
Plot 10431 Los Angeles Road, Lusaka, Zambia
"It was such an honor working with you Taryn! I’m glad that I joined the R'ashion (Recycled Fashion) class and had you to show us awesome programs and companies through the field trips. You really opened my eyes! I hope other schools can have awesome R’ashion programs & teachers just like you!"
~ Patricia Green
Environmental Charter High School Graduate
"Taryn's consciousness about planet pollution, low wage workers, recycling, etc. are very important today and I was impressed how she tackles those issues in her company (while making money to live)!"
~ M.K.
Student at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC
"Working with Taryn and the BTL crew…
From the first moment I heard Taryn speak at the Loyola Law Fashion Project’s “Green is the
New Black” seminar, and realizing she was the EcoDiva who I have talked of in my fashion
classes, I immediately approached her to speak at Santa Monica College! SMC’s mission is to
include sustainability in all educational arenas. My Fashion Department really takes it to heart.
Taryn’s sincere message, coupled with her multi-disciplinary background (styling, design,
producing, writing) gave gravitas to her cause. As educators, we are always careful to select
speakers who ethically operate, know their subject, and are not out solely for personal gain.
Taryn exemplifies the best of selfless motivation to educate all, in word and deed.
This proved to be infectious at SMC, where she captivated students with her research,
personal conviction, and ability to make her audience really think about sustainability - not as
some condition too far-reaching to be involved with – but as a daily way of living.
Taryn’s first interaction with SMC created such an interest that several design students
immediately got involved with BtL and are now solely designing sustainable! One designer said
she always had a passion for fashion, but because of Taryn, she has passion of purpose.
That alone is the reason why educators teach – to share their passion and engage students to
do so, as well. I, as an educator and author, thank Taryn for tangibly bringing classroom
content into action, and spearheading such amazing projects that go well beyond the
classroom… as hers goes “Beyond the Label.”
I knew I had to connect our energetic, forward-thinking SMC sustainable leader, Ferris Kawar,
with Taryn, as well as with Sustainable Works.org on our campus. Our ideas flowed, and with
Sustainable Works team members Gina and Kaya, a screening of “The True Cost” was
planned, as well as a following panel discussion.
I had developed a “Chop Shop” competition where students could use old, damaged, or dead
stock garments, remnants, findings, or trim and recreate styles by deconstructing / upcycling
recycling. SMC’s talented merchandisers and designers answered the call, creating garments
that were definitely fashion forward and runway-worthy. Thanks to Taryn, these garments
were indeed showcased on the runway, along with other green fashion resources – resale,
thrift, vintage, and new -- - because of Beyond the Label and Sustainable Works.
I was happy to connect Taryn with interview host and art world’s luminary patron, Joan
Agajanian Quinn, whose personal mission has always been to bring culture, creativity, and
education to the public. These two had to meet, and a wonderful television interview on
Beverly Hills View spread Taryn’s sincerity of purpose and message of style with
consciousness.
Education is about clearly stating facts, sourcing background research, and raising curiosity.
Taryn manages to do all three with sincerity of purpose.
As I said, Taryn acts. And when she does, students benefit in every way. She leads by
example. And for that, I am eternally grateful."
~ Lorrie Ivas
Associate Professor - Business/Retail/Fashion at Santa Monica College