Dress With Purpose

Join us at TAP for a unique blend of sustainability and cultural storytelling in fashion. Discover our innovative designs.

About Us

UPCOMING EVENT

About

TAP is a youth-led initiative blending sustainable fashion with South Asian culture to combat overconsumption. We create upcycled designs, promote climate action through creativity, and collaborate with arts organizations like Madhuban Performing Arts and Fashion Week Calgary.

Learn more about how our journey began and where we’re headed next.

About TAP

Our Organization

Creation

TAP began as a one-time community initiative showcasing South Asian–inspired outfits crafted from recycled fabrics and materials donated by Goodwill. What started as a creative experiment to raise awareness about overconsumption in the fashion industry and promote slow fashion soon evolved into an organization with a lasting purpose. Today, we combine sustainability, artistry, and advocacy by hosting shoreline cleanups, participating in local events, and utilizing design as a tool to spark environmental and social change.

Events

Over the past two years, our major collaborations include Trash2Treasure, Katha in partnership with Madhuban Performing Arts, and Fashion Week Calgary. Across all our initiatives, we highlight sustainability and cultural identity through design. Instead of focusing on consumption, our events celebrate reuse, circularity, and mindful making, creating space for dialogue around fashion’s environmental footprint and the cultures and people behind what we wear.

→ Explore our past and upcoming events

At the heart of everything we do is a clear purpose and the values that guide it.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our mission and values ground the work we do. They guide how we design, collaborate, and show up in community spaces.

Mission & Vision

Mission:

Promote slow fashion, push the boundaries of wearable art while preserving South Asian influences.

Vision:

A world where fast fashion becomes a rarity and consumers resonate deeply with the process of creating fashion.

Core Values

Sustainability

Building Opportunities

Fashion should create beauty without harm. Every TAP design is upcycled from waste fabric, reducing environmental impact and advocating for conscious creation.

TAP is built on the passion of its volunteers. Our work centres on empowering young professionals and local artisans by giving them space to lead, create, and grow.

Blending South Asian Culture

We honour South Asian heritage while embracing contemporary design. Cultural aesthetics and storytelling guide every collection, bridging tradition and innovation.

People & Collaborations

TAP is built by a passionate team and an ever-growing network of collaborators who care deeply about environmental and social change. From designers and models to volunteers and community partners, every person involved shapes our story and strengthens our impact. Together, we’re working toward a fashion system that honours both people and planet.

Meet the Team

Nidhi Kotikalapudi

Chesster Danglapen

Gaby Eliscupides

Founder & Artistic Director

Designer & Vice Artistic Director

Media Production Director

Volunteers

TAP wouldn’t exist without the incredible people who choose to create with us. From interns, designers, and tailors to models, photographers, videographers, hair and makeup artists, and general volunteers. Every person who lends their time and talent helps push the future of slow fashion forward. Their creativity and dedication fuels every garment made, every story told, and every impact created.

Our Partners

TAP has been made possible thanks to the support of our incredible partners and contributors: Volunteer Alberta (ACSEL), University of Calgary (Experience Ventures Program), Canada Service Corps, and Ocean Wise. We’re deeply grateful to them and their support that makes it possible for us to keep growing, collaborating, and dreaming bigger together.

Volunteer Alberta (ACSEL Program)

The Alberta Civil Society Emerging Leaders (ACSEL) Microgrant Program, delivered by Volunteer Alberta with support from Canada Service Corps, provides funding and leadership development to youth (16–30) to design, implement, and scale community-focused service projects. TAP received funding and mentorship through the 2025 ACSEL program for Threads of Winter, supporting both project implementation and growth.

Canada Service Corps

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) is a Government of Canada-led initiative that empowers young people aged 15–30 to engage in meaningful volunteer and service opportunities to benefit their communities, develop skills, and build leadership experience. Through funding and support for youth-led civic and environmental projects, CSC helps organizations like TAP deliver impactful community service work.

Learn more

Ocean Wise

Ocean Wise is a conservation organization that runs youth programs and microgrant funding opportunities to support environmental service and ocean health initiatives across Canada. TAP has received funding through Ocean Wise’s youth programs, including Eco-Action Accelerator, Ocean Bridge and the Ocean Action Microgrant, that help young leaders scale environmental projects and build lasting civic engagement. TAP originally began as an Ocean Wise–affiliated student initiative and continues to be supported by their network and resources.

Learn more about:

Oceanwise

Oceanwise Youth

University of Calgary (Experience Ventures Program)

Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and supported by the Government of Canada, enables post-secondary students to gain real-world experience through entrepreneurial thinking placements with organizations and innovators. TAP is proud to partner with this program to provide training, mentorship, and professional experience opportunities to students as they apply academic skills to practical projects