Preface, Re/Assembly and Here|After to host fashion event in LA with Denim Dudes

Three organizations looking to explore the future of circular fashion - Preface, Re/Assembly, and Here|After - have joined forces with Denim Dudes to host a two-day event in Los Angeles.

Set to take place from January 28 to 29, 2026, at 356 S. Mission Road in Los Angeles, the event aims to bring together leading brands, innovators, and students to examine the potential future of circular fashion.

The event will integrate three core components: a curated textile exhibition by Preface, an upcycling design competition organized by Re/Assembly, and forward-looking programming from Here|After. Together, these components aim to deliver a unique experience for brands and designers, with a focus on sustainability, creativity, and collaborative innovation.

Under the theme “Unraveling Circularity,” the event will bring together industry leaders, educators, and suppliers to present tools and insights on circular design principles. The program is set to target designers and brands seeking textile solutions and resources that serve as superior alternatives to traditional materials. Participants will be able to access practical resources for implementing circularity and upcycling in their design and production workflows through a curated group of exhibitors, hands-on sessions, expert panel discussions, and networking events.

“This season marks a new chapter for Preface as we take a fully collaborative approach for the first time. By uniting with these innovative partners who add depth through education and trend programming, we’re shaping our largest and most inspiring event to date,” said Betsy Franjola, founder of Preface, a boutique textile trend show that focuses on more sustainable materials and design innovation, in a statement.

The Preface exhibition space will feature an expanded section dedicated to denim supply chain participants, curated by Denim Dudes. Attendees will also have access to Denim Dudes’ international denim industry analysis and educational programming covering cultural trends, creative innovation, and developments shaping the denim sector.

“We’ve hosted some amazing, intimate, and elevated community experiences featuring our market insights alongside non-traditional programming and unexpected speakers. So I’m thrilled to spread our wings a bit and bring that same focus and energy to a wider audience,” said Amy Leverton from Denim Dudes.

During the event, Re/Assembly will host an Upcycling Fashion Design Competition, which challenges conventional design approaches through real-time creation. Following expert-led education, selected emerging designers will complete a 6-hour on-site challenge, transforming post-consumer clothing, textile waste, and recycled materials into runway-ready garments before a live audience. An accelerated process, the competition is set to demonstrate circularity as a driver of innovative design. The competition will conclude the following day with a presentation and awards ceremony, along with additional external showcases to increase the visibility of winners.

“Our Upcycling Design Competition is the ultimate proof of concept, demonstrating that circularity is not a restriction—it is the catalyst for the most creative, original, and interesting design in fashion today,” said Stina Randestad, award-winning fashion designer and creative director of Re/Assembly, in a statement.

Preface and Here|After draw in leading Los Angeles brands, including AG Jeans, FRAME, Reformation, Good American, Paige, True Religion, Staud, Buck Mason, Rails, Doen, and L’Agence, as well as emerging designers, sourcing teams, and sustainability professionals. Participants at the event will span the entire fashion supply chain, from founders and creative directors to production and sourcing managers, forming a highly engaged, solutions-focused audience. A complete exhibitor list and programming schedule will be available soon.