Students Light the Way to Sustainable Fashion Future

Throughout the history of the so-called United States, college students have used their voices to bring attention to some of the biggest issues of their time. In the 1960s, students organized lunch counter sit-ins to support the civil rights movement. In the 1970s, students marched and protested against the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, students stood in solidarity with the anti-apartheid movement. In the 1990s, students called for faculty diversity, racial equity, and lower tuition. These were not only life-altering moments for many of the students involved, but also changed the trajectory of national and global politics.

Today is no different. In the 2020s, the topic of sustainability has become a major focus in classrooms—specifically regarding fast fashion, prompting many students to face the fact that their shopping habits or favorite retailers may be harming people and the planet. In recent years, fashion has gained a reputation for being one of the most extractive and exploitative industries. Student organizations play an important role in creating collective change by holding space for education and action, both with their members and their greater campus and local community.

MESH is one example; it’s a student organization at the University of Washington that aims to cultivate creativity and style. Since 2021, MESH as been hosting fashion shows, panel discussions, and sewing workshops to raise awareness about the connection between sustainability and fashion. These events address industry challenges such as cultural preservation, human rights, and textile waste by offering a platform for fashion advocates, designers, and enthusiasts to gain new skills and share invaluable insights.

On February 22, MESH held their annual educational expo that took place at the Husky Union Building. It featured presentations and resources from fashion designers and organizations from across the Pacific Northwest to help students and community members embrace their creative side and celebrate local fashion. When asked why the expo specifically was created, Amy Sun, the student organization’s president, mentioned that the former MESH president aimed “to focus on DIY space and education.” Rasheed Al Hejailan, the collaboration lead, added, “it’s about art in its essence” and “reinforcing the presence of like-minded people.” After two years in action, the presence is still felt as the rooms were filled with rich conversations and unique styles.

(L to R) Zakiya Cita, founder of The Chayah Movement; Larissa Goodwine; Janelle Abbott, founder of JRAT; Katy Flynn, founder of KFLY; Dhivya Balasubramanian, founder of DHIVYA BALA; Natalia Montalvo, founder of La Paisa.

The Evergreen Echo

The event opened up with a panel discussion hosted by the non-profit The Chayah Movement, which highlighted the benefits and challenges of sustainable design from the perspective of five fashion designers: DHIVYA BALA, La Paisa, Larissa Goodwine, KFLY, and JRAT. The founder and moderator, Zakiya Cita, wanted to help students connect to “brands that are doing [sustainability]” by providing transparency into their business models. They covered everything from the need to clearly define ethics to not being afraid to implement AI.

The common theme? Educate yourself on ways to be a better designer or shopper to combat fast fashion, and give yourself grace in the process. Or, as Janelle Abbott, founder of JRAT said, take a stance of “radical acceptance.” Designing or shopping sustainably is not for the faint of heart. It is a long-term commitment that will constantly challenge your aesthetics and values, but it is possible.

Following the panel discussion, there were several workshops available to activate attendees. The first was led by Eyelet Creative to teach students and community members how to design a collection. The second was led by Modality to support making a zine. The third was led by Redesign Collective to provide lessons and materials for upcycling. The fourth was led by GZ Radio to help community members practice their videography skills. The agenda also included a K-Pop performance by The Kompany, a presentation on the Politics of Adornment by Xiao Quilt, a traditional Chinese dance ensemble, a panel discussion with MESH alumni, and a fashion show highlighting traditional cultural dress. 

Overall, the expo was an opportunity for community members to engage with each other and better understand how their clothing choices impact themselves and their surroundings. Approximately 40,000 tons of clothes, shoes, and textiles are thrown away each year in King County where the University of Washington is situated. Although the expo was more about quality over quantity, it addressed this local issue all the same by encouraging communities to express their inner artists and look toward their culture to find ways to give clothes and textiles another life. This is the power of students taking collective action.

All across the country, student organizations like MESH are rising up against fast fashion through their activism. Farther along the West Coast, for example, there is Unravel at the University of California, Los Angeles, that promotes hands-on activities like upcycling and sewing. In the Midwest, there’s the Phoenix Sustainability Initiative at the University of Chicago that formed reSTORE to make thrift shopping more accessible. Down South, the Campus Environmental Center at the University of Texas, Austin, started the Trash to Treasure initiative to recycle unwanted dorm materials. Over on the East Coast, EcoHusky at the University of Connecticut hosts open discussions to guide students toward a more sustainable lifestyle. These are just to name a few.

This goes to show that it’s imperative to include student organizations for their ideas and perspectives when considering how to push sustainability efforts forward in this day and age, whether in fashion or another industry. They are actively paving the way for a future that centers community engagement, environmental stewardship, and ethical practices.

If the world pays attention and collectively follows suit, then maybe this time we can get it right.