Meet the Team!

Three women standing together at an indoor event, dressed in eclectic fashion styles, smiling at the camera. 
Photo by Madison Dee

Reza Cristián, Leah Bury, and Mikaela Friedman are the team behind the scenes.

Organizational Structure & Approach

Slow Fashion Festival operates as a shared-leadership, volunteer-led organization guided by consensus-based decision making. Our three co-founders and volunteer team collaborate across programming, operations, and community engagement to ensure the festival remains grounded in accessibility, transparency, and community care.

Since our inception, no profits have been taken by founders or organizers. All revenue is reinvested directly into festival programming, artist support, and community initiatives. This reinvestment model allows us to prioritize mission over margins and maintain an environment where creativity, equity, and sustainability shape every decision.

Our structure reflects our belief that cultural change grows through collective effort—through shared leadership, resource stewardship, and a commitment to building community spaces where everyone is valued.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

  • A woman sitting outdoors near a creek, wearing a yellow headband, a green ribbed sweater, and floral pants, with trees and water in the background.

    REZA CRISTIÁN

    Reza (She/Her) is the founder and editor-in-chief of SUSTAIN the mag, an online media platform where eco-conscious warriors cultivate a healthy, planet-friendly lifestyle. At SUSTAIN, it's our focus to create a diverse and inclusive space for people who are making a change for the planet and the people. SUSTAIN has hosted multiple virtual and IRL community-driven events such as her Susty Bus Tours, as well as holding space in the “Slow Media” movement.

    She currently resides between Austin & Minneapolis, where she loves to hike, bike around, and enjoy lots of coffee.

  • A woman with wavy hair wearing a yellow jacket, sitting indoors with her hand resting on her head, looking at the camera.

    LEAH BURY

    Leah Bury / @leah.creative is a multi-form creative and curator based in Austin, Texas. Since beginning in 2020, she has curated several art galleries and zines with hundreds of local artists. She also loves digital art, photography, and writing.

    Slow fashion has grown majorly as one of Leah’s passions over the years, and she is deeply interested in finding unique and exciting ways to cultivate community and connection around the slow fashion movement - which is why the Slow Fashion Festival was created!

  • A young woman with wavy brown hair, wearing glasses and a green sleeveless top, stands in front of a bush with white hydrangea flowers.

    MIKAELA FRIEDMAN

    Mikaela Friedman is a multidisciplinary artist blending reclaimed materials, community storytelling, and participatory design to reimagine what sustainable fashion can be.

    She has served as a creative producer with Psychic Outlaw, collaborating with founder Rebecca Wright on custom clothing and inclusive, artist-centered retail. Together, they later co-founded Shop Slow, a community boutique focused on sustainable fashion education.

    At SFF Mikaela aids creative direction and community experience, shaping spaces that center belonging, co-creation, and sustainability as a shared cultural practice.