Fashion meets the field: Oakland Roots’ Upcycled Fashion Project
CCA alumni and students collaborated with the Oakland Roots SC and ThredUp for a halftime runway fashion show
The Oakland Roots Sports Club teamed up with emerging designers from California College of the Arts (CCA), Oakland Technical High School, and Oakland School for the Arts to be part of the Upcycled Fashion Project presented by ThredUp, an online consignment and thrift store. Over the past several months, they transformed old Roots jerseys and thrifted items provided by ThredUp into bold, head-to-toe original looks that were debuted at a fashion runway show at the soccer club’s final home game of the season. The event, held on October 25, also marked the first time a fashion show had been held at the historic Oakland Coliseum.
Guided by professional designers from the Roots’ Artist Residency program — Jasko Begovic (aka Sko Habibi), Asaad Bruno, and Project Runway alum Emily Payne — students gained hands-on experience in everything from garment construction to creative concept development.
Environmental responsibility is a cornerstone of CCA’s curriculum, and this project embodied that mission. By giving new life to old materials, students had an incredible opportunity to showcase their design talents to new audiences, partner with a major retailer and professional sports team, while exploring the real-world impact of circularity and waste diversion.
Featured CCA alumni and students
Fabian Rojas (BFA Fashion Design 2024), Veronica St. Jane (BFA Industrial Design 2024), Myrranda Morra (BFA Individualized Studies 2024), Ma Lee Xiong (BFA Fashion Design 2025), Maya Coleman (BFA Fashion Design 2023), Walter Baldridge (BFA Fashion Design 2027), Connor Moore (BFA Fashion Design 2027), Eleanor Horn (BFA Fashion Design 2027), Meixi (Roseanna) Qu (BFA Fashion Design 2027).
CCA partners with companies and organizations that make a positive impact on culture and society. With fresh perspectives and specialized skills, students experience real-world engagements that encourage research, experimentation, and innovative thinking.
Special thanks to Industrial Design faculty member Caroline de Baere for her leadership and project management, as well as for collaborating closely with the designers and serving as the liaison to Oakland Roots, Oakland Style Lab, Oakland School for the Arts, and Oakland Technical High School.
See how CCA students work with leading companies