hirokokurihara.com

hiroko kurihara designs…

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:10:36 +0000

WHAT an honor to be recognized by the New York TIMES! Thank you Mr. Tim McKeough for the writing and thank you Mr. Brad Ford (Interior Designer extraordinaire in NYC) for recommending me!!

Now, more than ever, I’m inspired to continue bringing people good design and good connections with each other.

mio: made in oakland

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:57:48 +0000

After 4 years of operating my business I had the fortunate problem of needing to expand and get help sewing. I started to form a collective of artists who could share space and start an employment training program with people that we could hire.

Then with bamboo sword strapped to my bike and dress in the backpack I went to a tea party.

I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in 10 years. She asked me what I was up to and then for a woman (an executive vice president of a major local non-profit), who doesn’t get “flabbergasted”…did. She had a grant for economic development through a social venture enterprise related to sewing.

mio: made in oakland was born!

So now, as a perfect complement, that the stars devised for me, I was given the opportunity to implement our VISION to establish Oakland as a hub for sustainable and socially responsible manufacturing that will deliver new sources of work and wealth to people with low-incomes and develop a supportive fashion industry network.

mio’s GOAL: Create 70 ascending and living wage job opportunities to residents of Oakland

mio’s SERVICES: a sewing manufacturing employment training business that provides sample development and production offering: high quality, quick turn around, eco-certified, and locally manufactured products. MIO will also develop an independent label of upcycled products for the direct and underserved retail markets.

mio’s OUTCOME: one year to the day of launch, the non-profit parent company, The Unity Council, closed the program. :( A combination of the economic times, undercapitalization, and outside consultant production expertise resulted in laying off 25 people. The project never realized it’s full potential to be a center for sustainable, local fashion.

ULTRA: Urbanists for a Livable Temescal Rockridge Area

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:30:13 +0000

Urban development and urban change happens from the inside out and from the ground or grass roots up. Mostly the response that residents have to development projects is one of fear and mistrust, understandable with all the bad architecture and thoughtless urban planning out there.

In 2006, in the wake of many development proposals for our North Oakalnd community, a group of neighbors, including myself, started an organization to counter a very vocal “Not-In-My-Backyard” (NIMBY) group opposing any increase in height or density of the buildings in our neighborhood

here is our mission:

ULTRA: Urbanists for a Livable Temescal Rockridge Area

ULTRA is dedicated to creating a livable, authentic community in North Oakland by promoting urban growth that is environmentally sustainable and equitable.

Through education and active, positive participation our community can achieve socially responsible higher density development along main commercial and transportation corridors that will support:

Economic and cultural diversity
Affordable housing and community-based commercial properties
Local public schools
Community services
Neighborhood-oriented businesses
Alternative transportation use
Pedestrian and bike safety
More open green spaces
Cultural venues
Honoring history; and
Healthy community interaction

We encourage all community stakeholders, local and regional leaders, and developers to work collaboratively in realizing this vision.

In 2 years, we’ve garnered support from many local and regional transit and sustainable development organizations and agencies and gained political traction in our advocacy. We’ve also created and alternative place for residents who support sustainable living practices to come together and help shape a neighborhood effectively and fairly.

please visit and build your city!