It is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the U.S. disposes approximately 12.8 million tons of textiles annually. This number has increased largely due to the rise of ‘fast fashion’, in which clothing is essentially so inexpensive that it is practically seen as disposable to the typical consumer. Although many retail companies and nonprofit organizations have been making efforts to collect old clothing, much of it still ends up in the landfills. Since many companies outsource their clothing, much of the most severe impacts are seen abroad. Fueled by these alarming facts, we believe it is incredibly important that the student body is informed of these negative impacts in a visual, yet creative way, which is why we organized an eco-fashion show. Our goal is to promote sustainable fashion choices and values in the Hunter and NYC community. We want to open people’s eyes to the great possibilities that “trash” can become, encouraging reuse and repurposing. Our 9 designers will be repurposing old materials (clothes, curtains, bags, etc.) Why waste when you can create?

Schedule

5:30pm – 6:00pm: Open Doors (GreeNYC reusable gear, food, and refreshments!)

6:00pm (Sharp!): Show begins

6:00pm – 6:25pm: Introduction / 3 Designers’ work modeledreus

6:25pm – 6:50pm: Tara St. James (Founder of Study NY and Production Coordinator + Research Fellow at Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator)

6:50pm -7:10pm: 3 Designers’ work modeled

7:10pm – 7:30pm: Intermission (survey, food, and refreshments!)

7:30pm – 7:50pm: 3 Designers’ work modeled

7:50pm – 8:00pm: Closing Remarks

Thank you to TGIF (Hunter’s Green Initiative Fund) for funding our project. Our food is catered by Market Crates. Thank you Macaulay Honors College for the Bio Blitz Shirts and The Sustainability Project for never ending support! Thank you also to Chipotle, Insomnia Cookies, Salvation Army, and GreeNYC for sponsoring our event!