Fil Doux Textiles turns fabric into hope

NEW YORK—Empowerment you can use and even wear. That’s the idea behind hotel fabric producer Fil Doux Textiles’ new program, Fil Doux for the Arts (FDFA), which supports young artists by providing excess fabric materials to individual creators and nonprofit organizations.  Its “reuse with a purpose” initiative aims to reduce waste and convert fabrics. FDFA prides itself on similar initiatives like using wind energy to power its mills, transforming extra fabric into packaging and recycling dye water.

In collaboration with Time In—which serves
New York City public
schools—Fil Doux Creative Director Audrey Pincus assisted in leading a workshop to turn fabrics into costumes for a high school opera. Working with buildOn—an organization that empowers urban youth to transform their neighborhoods through intensive community service—FDFA helped children turn its excess fabric into blankets, mats and pillows for the homeless.

Fil Doux Textiles President Leo Novik is confident that the hotel industry can contribute significantly to not only those less fortunate, but also those who aspire to create. “We hope Fil Doux for the Arts will inspire others in the hospitality industry to support their communities and local charitable organizations. Even if it isn’t on a regular basis, help is always appreciated as it takes a village to make these programs happen,” Novik said. In addition to repurposing materials and reducing waste, Novik said the program advocates on behalf of the arts and artists, whose publicly funded resources are diminishing.

The company plans to continue working with nonprofit organizations along with inspiring artists and advocating arts education as an avenue for inspiring youth. “Helping the community can be as simple as donating materials or time to programs like these, funding campaigns or even getting involved in local boards,” Novik said. “The launch of FDFA was centered around young artists and children in underserved communities. Going forward, we hope our materials can benefit a range of makers and creatives.” HB