Latest Posts

jesus 1

They Thought It Was Jesus… But Was It Something Else?

gaming 1

Borderlands® 4 Coming to Nintendo Switch™ 2 on October 3

gaming 2

NBA® 2K26 Debuts New Gen 9 Gameplay Improvements Including an All-New Dynamic Motion Engine Powered by ProPLAY™

Disco Nights and Design Delights at Closely Crafted’s Move the Needle Gala

event

SHARE

Closely Crafted’s Move the Needle Gala returned with a sparkling twist—an evening of disco glamour and artisanal reverence held at Manhattan’s Petite Disco. Aptly themed “After Dark,” the event combined vintage allure with a celebration of skilled craftsmanship, spotlighting the nonprofit’s dedication to sustaining the future of American fashion through local production and heritage techniques.

Image: Photo by Deonté Lee

The nonprofit Closely Crafted, founded in 2022 by renowned milliner Gigi Burris O’Hara, is committed to sustaining domestic craft through education, apprenticeships, and hands-on support for local artisans. “Passing down these skills is a profound honor,” Burris O’Hara said, reflecting on how homegrown craftsmanship helped her own brand grow sustainably. “I want the next generation to have that same opportunity.”

Image: Photo by Kevin Czopek

This year’s gala brought together some of the brightest names in American fashion. Designers like Christopher John Rogers, Presley Oldham, Hillary Taymour, and Batsheva Hay mingled under glittering lights, enjoying signature Woodford Reserve cocktails and curated bites sourced from local purveyors. The atmosphere was lively yet intentional—a beautiful balance between celebration and cause.

Image: Photo from IG of closelycrafted

Visual creativity played a starring role as well. The venue was transformed by Mark Stephen Experiential using upcycled décor that nodded to both sustainability and studio innovation. 

One of the evening’s standout moments came from a live performance by International Pleating and MELKE, interpreting the life cycle of a garment with flowing pleated muslin. It was fashion as art, and art as storytelling—precise, tactile, and unforgettable.

Image: Photo from IG of closelycrafted

While the energy was unmistakably upbeat, the message behind the movement was clear: keeping production local is not just a nostalgic ideal—it’s a sustainable, smart path forward. “Working with domestic artisans helps reduce our footprint and gives us the flexibility to make better choices,” said designer Hillary Taymour. Presley Oldham echoed the sentiment: “We’re building thoughtfully, one piece at a time, without compromising quality or tradition.”

Image: Photo from IG of closelycrafted

What sets the Move the Needle Gala apart is its ability to seamlessly blend fun and function. It’s a space where sequins twirl alongside serious ideas—where craft is honored not just in the clothes worn, but in the hands that made them. Attendees didn’t just come to dance; they came to support a growing movement that champions slow fashion, transparency, and skill preservation.

Image: Photo by Deonté Lee

As the mirrorballs turned and the night wore on, the message was woven into every pleat and stitch: American fashion thrives when it stays close to its roots. And Closely Crafted is ensuring those roots are not only preserved but celebrated, one gala—and one generation—at a time.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo Taken by Deonté Lee

RELATED ARTICLES

jesus 1

They Thought It Was Jesus… But Was It Something Else?

It began with light—bright, overwhelming, and cascading through the skies of Alabama one night. A group of onlookers, filled with awe and emotion, stood beneath...
gaming 1

Borderlands® 4 Coming to Nintendo Switch™ 2 on October 3

2K and Gearbox Software announced that the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version of Borderlands® 4 is available for pre-order. The game will launch on October 3, 2025. Borderlands 4 is...
gaming 2

NBA® 2K26 Debuts New Gen 9 Gameplay Improvements Including an All-New Dynamic Motion Engine Powered by ProPLAY™

2K announced new NBA 2K26 gameplay improvements and features underscoring a giant leap forward on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch™ 2. Witness Smoother,...
Screen Shot 2025-07-30 at 5.15.41 PM

Angara backs PBBM’s call to address classroom shortage through Public-Private Partnerships

Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday backed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s renewed call to address the country’s chronic classroom shortage, saying the solution lies...
Screen Shot 2025-07-31 at 11.57.42 AM

Madeline Brewer and Nicholas Christopher Head to LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS!

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the man-eating, award-winning musical, now celebrating six succulent years at the Westside Theatre! Beginning Aug. 12, this smash-hit production welcomes two...
HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR Camera

HUAWEI Remains at the Forefront of Mobile Imaging with the Industry’s First Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera on the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, Coming Soon to the Philippines

HUAWEI ushers in the dawn of a new era of smartphone photography excellence as it introduces groundbreaking mobile imaging technology and the industry’s first Switchable...
jesus 1

They Thought It Was Jesus… But Was It Something Else?

It began with light—bright, overwhelming, and cascading through the skies of Alabama one night. A group of onlookers, filled with awe and emotion, stood beneath...
gaming 1

Borderlands® 4 Coming to Nintendo Switch™ 2 on October 3

2K and Gearbox Software announced that the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version of Borderlands® 4 is available for pre-order. The game will launch on October 3, 2025. Borderlands 4 is...
gaming 2

NBA® 2K26 Debuts New Gen 9 Gameplay Improvements Including an All-New Dynamic Motion Engine Powered by ProPLAY™

2K announced new NBA 2K26 gameplay improvements and features underscoring a giant leap forward on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch™ 2. Witness Smoother,...

Don't Miss

Screenshot

Support Israel: Key Contact Numbers and Websites

Screenshot

As Iran Strikes, Israelis Turn to Prayer in Bomb Shelters

israel final

God’s Promise of Protection Over Israel in the Bible

Screenshot

End Times Prophecy: Which Nations Will Come Against Israel?