Comfort a Child.
Create Artisans.
Repurpose Couture Fabrics.
Our mission is to comfort children facing serious illnesses and create artisans by repurposing couture fabrics.
Our mission is to preserve and revitalize the timeless artistry of couture fashion craftsmanship by bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. Recognizing the dwindling practice of apprenticeships in this esteemed craft, we are committed to safeguarding the invaluable knowledge passed down through generations. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on training, we empower aspiring artisans to master the intricate techniques and exquisite details that define couture fashion. By preserving this legacy, we not only honor the rich heritage of our craft but also inspire creativity, sustainability, and excellence in the fashion industry for generations to come.
Our mission is to preserve and revitalize the timeless artistry of couture fashion craftsmanship by bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. Recognizing the dwindling practice of apprenticeships in this esteemed craft, we are committed to safeguarding the invaluable knowledge passed down through generations. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on training, we empower aspiring artisans to master the intricate techniques and exquisite details that define couture fashion. By preserving this legacy, we not only honor the rich heritage of our craft but also inspire creativity, sustainability, and excellence in the fashion industry for generations to come.
Giving high-quality teddy bears to children with terminal illnesses is more than just a kind gesture—it’s a way to provide emotional support, a coping mechanism, and even therapeutic benefits that can significantly improve the child’s quality of life. Our Golden Bears offer comfort and security, helping children navigate their illness with greater resilience. They also provide solace to families, fostering moments of connection and support during a challenging time.
The power of a teddy bear is not to be underestimated. In the hands of a child facing the unimaginable, a Golden Bear becomes a beacon of hope, a source of strength, and a symbol of love.
Empowering Future Generations
We will preserve and revitalize the timeless artistry of couture fashion craftsmanship by offering apprenticeships through which participants will learn time-honored skills through the production of Golden Bears to give to sick children.
Recognizing the dwindling practice of apprenticeships in this esteemed craft, we are committed to safeguarding the invaluable knowledge passed down through generations. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on training, we empower aspiring artisans to master the intricate techniques and exquisite details that define couture fashion. By preserving this legacy, we not only honor the rich heritage of our craft but also inspire creativity, sustainability, and excellence in the fashion industry for generations to come.
We are revolutionizing the preservation of craftsmanship by modernizing the apprenticeship model. Unlike short-term internships, which offer limited time for skill acquisition, our approach emphasizes long-term mentorship and hands-on learning.
Through extended apprenticeships, spanning years rather than mere months, we provide ample supervision and guidance for individuals to truly master their craft. This extended duration fosters not only the transfer of technical skills but also the cultivation of personal style and artistic expression.
By bridging tradition with innovation, we ensure that the invaluable knowledge of our craft is passed on effectively to future generations, empowering them to make their mark in the world of fashion.
Our strategy focuses on providing hands-on experience and practical learning opportunities for budding artisans, starting with the fundamental skill of cutting. Here’s how we plan to execute this strategy:
By implementing this strategy, we aim to provide a comprehensive learning experience that not only prepares budding artisans for success in the couture fashion industry but also addresses the urgent need to preserve and pass on these invaluable skills to future generations. Through hands-on practice, immersion in a factory environment, and opportunities for real client work, we empower them to safeguard the legacy of couture craftsmanship and ensure its continuity in the face of impending challenges.
Material waste is a leading issue that we urgently need to solve in the fashion industry. All our Golden Bears are crafted from 100% fabric scraps. Our goal is to minimize fabric waste and approach zero waste by utilizing all the scraps created by Tom’s Sons International Pleating. As a delightful added benefit, each Golden Bear showcases a unique assortment of colors and textures, reflecting the season’s fashion trends. We hope that this model will be adopted by other manufacturers to create products that benefit the environment from their fabric remnants.
We recognize the importance of raising awareness about the value of slow fashion brands. Through a targeted awareness campaign, we will educate consumers about the significance of supporting brands that prioritize craftsmanship and sustainability. Specifically, we will encourage consumers to look for products labeled “Made in NYC,” highlighting the rich heritage and expertise of the garment center in New York City. By promoting the purchase of locally-made, high-quality garments, we aim to preserve the ecosystem of knowledge within the garment center, which is at risk of disappearing. This initiative not only benefits our program but also contributes to the preservation of New York City’s cultural and economic fabric.
Tamar A. Ekizian is a partner specializing in estate planning including the preparation of living trusts, wills, special needs trusts, powers of attorney and advance health care directives. Her practice includes preparation of individual tax returns, fiduciary tax returns, as well as entity returns. Tamar received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from California State University, Northridge. She volunteered for 4 years at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) where she prepared numerous tax returns for the elderly and the poor.
Mrs. Ekizian received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of La Verne Law School with special recognition in the topics of Wills and Trusts.
Mrs. Ekizian is a proud mother of two boys. She started her practice in 2002 to be able to spend more time with her family. As her kids grew, her practice grew. She later formed a firm with her husband as a partner of the firm. She is active in the legal community and is admitted to practice before California state courts and the United States Supreme Court as well as the United States Tax Court.
George Kalajian comes from a storied lineage of artisans, with his family’s involvement in the garment industry spanning over 150 years. As the owner and operator of Tom’s Sons International Pleating, based in New York City’s Garment District, George stands as one of the last true master craftsmen in an industry that has weathered the storms of industrialisation and outsourcing.
George has the ability to turn the most dramatic ideas and stunning visions into reality, a skill honed through five generations of master craftsmen. His expertise has earned him the trust of iconic fashion brands like Coach, Calvin Klein, Thom Browne, Oscar de la Renta, and Ralph Lauren, and his work has graced runways worldwide. He has also contributed to the restoration and reproduction of historical pieces for institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dior, and taken major roles in production for the MET Gala, motion pictures, television, and Broadway shows, including Gods of Egypt, Moulin Rouge, The Gilded Age, and Fallout.
Despite his many achievements, George remains grounded, overseeing every inch of production at Tom’s Sons, ensuring that the art and tradition of pleating continues to thrive in the modern world
Since all our teddy bears are crafted from 100% fabric scraps, each bear showcases a unique assortment of colors and textures, reflecting the season’s fashion trends. Our goal is to minimize fabric waste and approach zero waste by utilizing all the scraps created by Toms Sons International Pleating. We hope that this model will be adopted by other manufacturers to create products that benefit the environment from their fabric remnants.
Your gift comforts a child with a serious illness and creates artisans by repurposing couture fabrics.
There are many ways to give! Here are our Donor Tiers:
$175: Get one PGB T-Shirt for you + Support the PGB Artisan Program
$500: CUB SUPPORTER: Get one PGB T-Shirt for you + Sustain an artisan
$2,500: HONEY BEAR HERO: Get one Golden Bear for you, Give one Golden Bear for a child facing a serious illness, + Sustain an artisan
$10,000: GRIZZLY GUARDIAN: Get one Golden Bear for you + Train and sustain an artisan for the manufacture of 10 Golden Bears for children facing serious illnesses
For a T-SHIRT or to become a CUB SUPPORTER, HONEY BEAR HERO, or GRIZZLY GUARDIAN, donate on Zeffy!
To learn about our legendary SOVEREIGN OF THE DEN or PLATINUM KODIAK levels, please reach out to us at in**@***************ar.org!
Since 1931, Tom’s Sons International Pleating has been a family owned fabric and textile pleating business. Our full service facility is located in the heart of New York City’s Garment District and offers all aspects of pleating services: from sample development to production. Quality is our legacy and a heritage that we work tirelessly to uphold. Full attention is always paid to even the finest detail. Our family master craftspeople posses the level of artistry and unsurpassed technical design skill, that has been acquired and passed down through five generations of expertise in this industry.
Since 1931, Tom’s Sons International Pleating has been a family owned fabric and textile pleating business. Our full service facility is located in the heart of New York City’s Garment District and offers all aspects of pleating services: from sample development to production. Quality is our legacy and a heritage that we work tirelessly to uphold. Full attention is always paid to even the finest detail. Our family master craftspeople posses the level of artistry and unsurpassed technical design skill, that has been acquired and passed down through five generations of expertise in this industry.
This charity is dedicated to the memory of my father, Leon Kalajian, whose unwavering passion for the fashion industry and selfless spirit continues to inspire me every day. Alongside my mother Sera, he taught me everything I know about the art and intricacies of fashion, instilling in me a love for the craft and a commitment to excellence.
My father was a brilliant technician and innovator, making major breakthroughs in the art of pleating. His creations and prolific career are a testament to his expertise. Despite being an unsung hero, he chose to stay behind the scenes, never seeking the limelight but always making significant contributions that shaped the industry.
My mother, with her discerning eye, taught me the importance of aesthetics and the power in the smallest details. Her lessons in the subtleties of fashion design have been invaluable and continue to influence my work today.
Through this charity, I aim to honor my father’s legacy and share with the world the greatness of a man who shaped not only my career but also my values and purpose. It is my mission to ensure that his remarkable influence and dedication to fashion are never forgotten.
With love and gratitude, I continue his work, driven by the lessons he imparted and the profound impact both my parents had on my life.
George Kalajian
