[he/him] Dylan is a 20-year-old tailor based in the Boston area who has been sewing for nearly three years. First drawn in by the technical precision of garment construction, what made him stay is the discovery of using his skillset as an avenue for personal expression. Still exploring where this path may lead, Dylan remains certain of one thing: he loves making clothes.

Instagram: @bydylanbraun

[any] Ally is a mixed media designer, filmmaker, and puppeteer based in Portsmouth, NH. Her work explores unconventional combinations, with a focus on forms in motion. She brings wearables to life through techniques including pixilation, collage, 2D animation, stop motion, and live action. Grounded in sustainability, versatility, and a sense of play, her practice blurs the line between object and performance.

Instagram: @minotaurmilk

[any] Michelle is a multimedia artist focused on sustainable fashion and sketchbooking. They believe sustainability can be embedded in any garment, regardless of concept. Based in Boston, MA, and West Point, GA, Michelle is currently pursuing a BFA in Fashion Design at MassArt.

Instagram: @sketchbookby_michellechen

[she/her] Eleanor is a 27-year-old designer based in Portland, ME, creating contemporary work from deadstock, vintage, and recycled materials. Inspired by the rugged coastline of Maine and the rhythms of the natural world, her practice centers on transformation through material reuse. By pairing unexpected textures and contrasting elements, she produces pieces that feel both grounded and experimental, celebrating craftsmanship, sustainability, and the stories embedded in each material.

Instagram: @_pritlove_

[she/her] Lillian is the founder of Princess Chicken, where she creates sustainably minded, one-of-a-kind handmade garments. Drawing from her upbringing as a sailor, she transforms secondhand and recycled materials like reclaimed sails into expressive, wearable pieces. Her practice focuses on thoughtful pattern drafting, material reuse, and lifecycle-conscious design. Through voluminous silhouettes and fluid forms, her work reflects the movement of sails and the deep connection between sailors and the ocean.

Instagram: @princess__.chicken // @princess_chicken_fashion

[she/her] Chloe is a fashion design student at Kent State University with a focus on sustainability. Driven by a passion for both environmental responsibility and creative expression, she embraces upcycling as a way to unite the two by transforming discarded materials into new, meaningful work. Chloe creates with intention while contributing to waste reduction in her community. She is honored to be selected for this opportunity and looks forward to the experience.

Instagram: @chlospins32

[she/her] is the designer behind Audrey Apparel, creating one-of-a-kind wearable pieces from secondhand and natural materials. She learned to crochet as a child and has been freehanding her designs ever since. Her work often plays with scale, incorporates sculptural elements, and draws inspiration from overlooked everyday objects.

Instagram: @audreyapparel

[he/him] is a designer whose work draws from workwear and utility. Influenced by his upbringing in Detroit, he looks to the city’s industrial legacy and history of making as a foundation for his practice. With emphasis on craftsmanship and material, he creates garments that balance durability with thoughtful design, exploring the enduring relationship between clothing and the people who wear it.

Instagram: @1.derful

[she/her]  Elaine Apatang grew up on the tiny island of Saipan, has lived in big cities, and proudly calls the Seacoast and Portsmouth home for more than 23 years. Her multicultural roots and career spanning media to global operations to real estate have shaped a deep appreciation for diversity, creativity, connection, and community. She is energized by the world around her and by showing up for the people, places, and communities that are close to her heart. Elaine is excited to walk the runway alongside fellow community role models in support of 3S Artspace and the talented designers whose passion for sustainable fashion makes Project Upcycle so special.

[he/him]  

[he/him]  Erik Dodier is a Seacoast entrepreneur and Professional EOS Implementer who helps leadership teams build stronger, more successful businesses. He co-founded Portsmouth-based PixelMEDIA in 1994 and spent 30 years growing and leading the company through its evolution into RafterOne before retiring from the business in 2024. Erik has been a longtime supporter of 3S Artspace and other organizations in the Seacoast community. These days, when he’s not working with entrepreneurial leadership teams, you’ll likely find him playing pickleball, working out, at local coffee shops, and spending time with his family.

[he/him]  Jason grew up in Portsmouth and spent over 20 years in New York City as an advertising executive. He now serves on several nonprofit boards and works as a residential real estate agent, servicing the New Hampshire coastline and southern Maine. He resides in Portsmouth with his two sons, age is 10 and 13.

[she/her] Katie co-founded PMAC alongside Russ Grazier and Wendell Purrington in 2002 after a varied background working in corporate and non-profit sectors. Her nonprofit experience started by working with the administrative team at SPARC – School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community alongside her mentor, Jeri Cutler-Voltz. The highlight of Katie’s corporate background included working for Franklin Covey – a leader in time management solutions. At Franklin Covey, she received awards for management and customer service excellence.

Katie currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for PMAC and enjoys her ‘behind the scenes’ role in making sure that PMAC runs smoothly. As a student at PMAC, she studies drumset with Mike Walsh (15 years and counting!) and continues to play in a variety of ensembles.

Katie serves as a mentor with GoodWork and is part of the Administrative Team at New England Adult Music Camp in Sidney, ME. Outside of PMAC, you can see Katie attending live music and art shows (3S Artspace is the BEST!), walking on the beach, playing drums and spending time with her grown sons and their families, including her two granddaughters, Hope & Aurora! 

[he/him] Edso has dedicated his entire professional career to Harding Metals, Inc. its continued commitment to recycling and sustainability.

He is passionate about supporting the arts and giving back to the local community. He has donated many tons of recycled material to area artists for creative projects, including the Garrison Hill Tower in Dover and the new Reaching Across Arch for the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens in Dover.

Under his leadership, Harding Metals, Inc. sells more than 120 million pounds of recyclable materials each year. He takes pride in being part of a company that contributes to the circular economy while supporting local artists, community projects, and the communities it serves.

[she/her]  Karina is a longtime supporter of the arts in New Hampshire including previously owning an art gallery, Kelley Stelling Contemporary in Manchester, serving on multiple gala committees at the Currier Museum of Art, and as a docent Museum's Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Over the years she has supported and volunteered with the NH Potters Guild, 3S Artspace, Kimball Jenkins, NH Dance Collaborative and other regional arts organizations. While not involved in the arts she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time outside with her great dane and french bulldog. 

Karina is now exploring a new chapter in interior design, working through a design program based in Charleston where she spends the winters. 

[she/her]  Hope moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, after earning her degree from UNH. Growing up in Central Massachusetts, she knew from her very first visit that Portsmouth was where she wanted to call home. Today, Hope enjoys being an active member of the community, supporting local businesses, listening to live music, dining out with her husband, and escaping to New Hampshire's Lakes Region whenever she can. 

Karina is now exploring a new chapter in interior design, working through a design program based in Charleston where she spends the winters. 

[she/her] Ashley Cushon is a designer and founder of CORE OF US, a conscious fashion initiative creating thoughtfully designed clothing from repurposed and responsibly sourced materials. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and brings over 13 years of experience, including teaching pattern drafting at her alma mater and over a decade designing for the U.S. Army. Her expertise spans design innovation, product development, and technical execution.

People, places, culture, and travel are the heartbeat of Ashley’s unique design perspective. A two-time Project Upcycle champion, she combines apparel engineering, sustainability, and storytelling to create pieces that are both purposeful and wearable.

Following her second Project Upcycle win, Ashley turned her focus to growing CORE OF US as a vehicle to advance circular design, reimagine existing materials, and build a connected fashion community. Through her work, she aims to challenge conventional clothing creation and encourage a more intentional future for the industry.

[he/him]  Christian Hernán De Restrepo Zúñiga Velázquez Betancourt, is a Boston-based, first generation Colombian American maker who explores the intersection of opposing worlds and the Self, by joining unusual and mundane materials to create a cohesive whole from disparate parts.

Through a votive, ritualistic process, De Restrepo weaves hand-worked textiles, primarily expanding the possibilities of his signature stapled fabric, la tela engradapa. By transforming the textiles into objects that border sculpture and fabric, he echoes the beliefs and technical artistry of his ancestors’ metalwork and their respect for materials and process

[she/her]  Alison Tranter is a materials and product innovation leader whose career is shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to responsible design. She has lived and worked around the world, partnering with mills, factories, designers, and cross-functional teams to develop innovative materials, processes, and commercially viable products across footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Her experience spans yarn and fabric development, garment manufacturing, global sourcing, and retail. She is most energized by the conversations, experimentation, and collective problem-solving that turn ideas into products with purpose.

Sustainability is central to Alison’s work. She believes thoughtful material choices and responsible design open new creative possibilities, and she continues to be inspired by suppliers pioneering new technologies and designers challenging long-held assumptions.

Passionate about teaching and mentoring, Alison thrives on helping teams grow, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives to the future of fashion.

[he/him]  A Malaysian native, Aqeel has called the NH Seacoast home for eight years. His passion for creativity and design naturally drew him to the local sustainable fashion scene — from covering thrifting and second-hand businesses as a former Seacoastonline journalist to volunteering at community events. A 2022 Project Upcycle Community Role Model and ongoing volunteer, he also serves on the PortSwap Planning Committee to help organize the annual clothing swap. Professionally, Aqeel manages photo studio workflows for the creative operations team at Cole Haan.

[he/him]  Lionel Loveless, also known as Mr. Bowtie Daily, is a business owner on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. He and his husband own Route 1 Antiques, and Lionel is the owner and designer of Officially Knotted Bow Ties. He is one of the founders of the Business Alliance for People of Color and currently serves as the Vice Chair of that organization. Additionally, he is a board member for Black Lives Matter New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. A graduate of the Leadership Seacoast Class of 2024, Lionel was named to the 2025 New Hampshire 200 list. He is also an alum of Project Upcycle, where winning designer Mo Pepin created an out-of-this-world jumpsuit that wowed the Project Upcycle crowd.