In person/ Talk / Multiple Techniques
7 WORDS OF HOPE: Love Joy Peace Courage Empathy Compassion Happiness
Panel Discussion: The Future of Handmade
Join us for an afternoon of conversation with cultural luminaries and artists as we discuss the relevance of handmade work, textiles, craft, couture and luxury, resilience, and the 7 Words of Hope in our modern world.
Moderated by Mary Jaeger, featuring special guest panelists:
Debra Rapoport @debrarapoport
Raylene Marasco dyenamix.com@dyenamixinc
Robert Danes The Danes NYC @thedanesnyc
The program at Mary Jaeger Atelier:
Opening Reception: Sunday, September 6
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Gallery Open
Artist Talks at 2:00 PM Learn more here
Panel Discussion: Sunday, September 13
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Gallery Open
Panel Discussion at 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Closing Reception: Thursday, September 17
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Gallery Open
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Closing Reception
Artist Talks at 6:00 PM
Exhibition: Sunday, September 6 - Thursday, September 17
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Daily, other times by appointment: email mary@maryjaeger.com
No registration required!
Debra Rapoport
“Where there’s CREATIVITY there are no RULES; where thereare no RULES, there is NO FEAR.”
NYC-based Textile Artist l Creative & Educator
Debra Rapoport is a mixed-media artist celebrating the transformative power of creativity. Utilizing found materials—fiber, cloth, paper, metal—she constructs intricate body embellishments and sculptural hat forms that promote "HATITUDE." A fixture in the Advanced Style movement, Rapoport’s work reflects her philosophy that "style is healing." Her acclaimed pieces have been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Met, the Hermitage, and the National Gallery of Victoria. An accomplished educator with degrees from Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley, she has taught at UC Davis and major NYC institutions like MoMA, dedicated to the belief that life is better with age.
Raylene Marasco, Dyenamix, Inc
“I approach each project with creativity, passion, integrity and artistic sensibility.”
Dyenamix Inc l Founder & Creative Director
Raylene Marasco founder of Dyenamix, Inc., is a sculptor turned surface designer known for experimental, high-profile textile projects. Since 1991, she has collaborated with top designers across fashion, film, theater, and fine art to create innovative, bespoke fabrics. Her work graces runways from Ralph Lauren to Oscar de la Renta, Broadway stages like The Lion King and Wicked, and collections at MoMA and the Met. Whether for film, costumes, or residential interiors, Raylene approaches every project with artistic sensibility and technical precision. Her innovative textile solutions help define the aesthetic of iconic projects worldwide.
Robert Danes, The Danes NYC
“There was no ignoring my passion for making clothes and designing, and I started a career that continues to this day.”
The Danes NYC l Custom & Made-to-Measure Designer
Robert Danes has been making clothes since his grandmother taught him to sew in high school. After graduating from Yale with a degree in architecture and working on Wall Street, he pivoted to his true vocation, establishing himself as a fixture in the American retail landscape. Over a career spanning 30 years, most notably at Barney’s and now Bergdorf Goodman, Danes has evolved into a premier evening wear designer, celebrated for his intricate custom and made-to-measure collections that combine traditional rigor with modern, thoughtful elegance.
Mary Jaeger
“The core of my textile work is inspired by my passion for handmade and handcrafted details, twisting colors, textiles and patterns in unorthodox ways” –Mary Jaeger
NYC-based Contemporary Textile Accessory Designer I Artist & Innovator
Mary Jaeger’s work explores the intersection of modern elegance and rich tradition. Her aesthetic is defined by uncluttered textiles and accessories that seamlessly meld ancient Eastern sensibilities with contemporary Western design. Drawing on years of study and work across Japan and other areas of Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe, Jaeger creates timeless collections for fashion and interiors that transition effortlessly between seasons, settings, and occasions. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally, and can be experienced firsthand at her atelier in Brooklyn, NY.
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Mary Jaeger Atelier is a creative studio and retail space where innovative textile designs move from conception to production. Focused on sustainability and circularity, the atelier produces one-of-a-kind and limited-edition clothing, accessories, and interior objects. Mary’s collections utilize natural fibers, shaped-resist dyeing (shibori), and three-dimensional fabric manipulation, often reimagining vintage and post-production materials. Beyond production, the atelier serves as a vibrant community hub for the textile arts, hosting hands-on workshops, international exhibitions, and panel discussions that teach new skills, explore the value of handmade work, and foster camaraderie among makers and clients.