Notre x VAA: The "Alaska" Weekend Experience

To celebrate the highly anticipated release of the VAA x Jordan 1 "Alaska," Notre and VAA curated a dynamic and community-focused weekend of programming. The events were designed to engage the local community, foster creativity, and provide insightful conversations.

The weekend was officially kicked off with an art supply donation raffle benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC). The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with an amazing turnout of participants bringing bags full of essential art supplies. This donation effort set a generous and collaborative tone for the rest of the weekend's activities.

Following the successful raffle, the evening transitioned into an intimate and hands-on creative experience: a collage workshop led by the talented artist Adeshola. This session offered attendees more than just a crafting opportunity; they were introduced to the deep history, theoretical underpinnings, and technical nuances of the collage craft. Under Adeshola’s expert guidance, each participant had the unique opportunity to explore their own artistic voice and successfully create their very own personalized piece of art, leaving with both a creation and a deeper appreciation for the medium.

The weekend culminated with a highly anticipated "Notre Talk" featuring Ron Louis and Benjamin Edgar. This closing event provided a thoughtful and in-depth look behind the curtains of the design and creative industries. The conversation covered a wide range of compelling topics, including a detailed exploration of their respective design processes, their personal and professional relationship with the late, visionary Virgil Abloh, and an honest discussion about navigating the inherent highs and inevitable lows of working within the contemporary creative and fashion landscapes. The talk offered invaluable perspective to all in attendance, serving as a powerful and reflective conclusion to the collaborative weekend.