A fierce blaze that recently swept through an Oakland sewing factory has resulted in a significant setback for a beloved San Francisco fashion brand. Nooworks, a label cherished for its quirky prints and ethical production, called it "a devastating moment" as the fire ravaged their production site, destroying years of their innovative work. The company disclosed in an Instagram post, which did not specify the exact date or location of the fire, that the inferno devoured all of its current inventory and a vast archive of patterns highly prized by fans and collectors.
As per SFGate, Nooworks acknowledged the loss with a somber tone, "We lost all of our current production to the fire, as well as our archive of physical patterns and countless remnants from seasons past." The company expects a disruption in production for at least the next 30 to 90 days. Formed by designer Jennifer D’Angelo, Nooworks has been a fixture in the Bay Area's sartorial scene since 2004, championing vibrant prints and inclusive sizing, with a focus on local manufacturing. The fire consumed tangible items and a piece of historical infrastructure, their tight-knit relationship with the family-run factory.
Despite the loss, Nooworks remains resolute. In an optimistic tone, the company shared through Nooworks' Instagram post, "Our commitment to delivering amazing artist made prints, made locally, right here in our community has never been stronger." They urged the community to support them by shopping online, visiting their stores, or spreading the word about their plight. There is still plenty of inventory available at their warehouse, and the brand appears hopeful about its future. "We really couldn’t continue to do this without you, thank you for making such an incredibly difficult situation that much brighter," the post added.
In a related incident, stellar efforts by Oakland Fire Crews helped contain a three-alarm warehouse fire reported by Hoodline. The fire on the 600 block of 9th Street was reported at 8:39 AM and was under control shortly after, by 9:03 AM, averting injuries and additional damage. Battalion Chief Frank Tijiboy collaborated with fire investigators immediately following the incident, with adjacent residences and a house of worship in the line of potential damage saved due to the swift action of the firefighters.
