Hudson Valley Hosts its First Sustainable Fashion Show
Sustainable designs were on full display at the Hudson Valley's first fashion show of its kind. Credit: Mike Sofokles
On a late fall afternoon, Rose Hill Farm was the place to be in the Hudson Valley, transforming from orchard to runway. The 114-acre property, located in Red Hook, N.Y., hosted the area’s first sustainable fashion show on Sept. 22.
As the sun set on the hill, models graced the organic runway for the show, which displayed a total of eight different collections — and five Marist College students were able to be a part of the showcase hosted by Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Week.
The featured designs incorporated patch wear, children's attire, lingerie and men's and women's wear, creating a range from professional attire to casual looks to edgy statement pieces.
Overall, the show embodied sustainability in its entirety. Blankets and flowers replaced chairs and tickets, while natural lighting supplied the spotlight. The event staff paid great attention to detail, and it showed in all the guests’ thrilled expressions.
Marist student and volunteer Sophia Hamilton ‘26 loved the use of the apple orchard as a runway. “It’s very natural and sustainable, just a grass runway. I think it's really cool,” said Hamilton.
“The process was seamless. It was amazing for the first time, and I hope they do more of it,” said Cece Hinds ‘23, a Marist alumna and featured designer in the show.
The mission of HVSFW is to push back on climate change and redirect the fashion industry in a more sustainable manner to reduce its impact on the planet. Director, Designer and Brand Owner Kaitlyn Murray plans for change in the near future. She wishes to grow the initiative beyond fashion shows but hopes all shows in the surrounding area can serve as a platform for elevation.
This year alone, Murray organized a kickoff sustainable fashion event in February, a clothing swap in April and a children's clothing swap in June. “The goal and point around this is helping to bring awareness to how much waste happens in the fashion industry but also providing tangible solutions for people,” said Murray.
According to Alexandra Kunkel ‘24, Murray’s fashion intern, many of her creations are upcycled, where Murray purchases items of clothing from thrift stores and makes them her own. “A lot of what makes her stuff great is she takes things that aren't usually loved, and she gives them new life,” said Kunkel.
The fashion show reflected its sustainable messaging clearly, especially amidst the movement to slow down mass consumerism of clothing. Fashion is the third-highest polluting industry in the world, but thrifting, upcycling and clothing swaps have been on the rise for the past few years. These trends signal a viable way forward for the future.
Jennifer Finn, senior professional lecturer of fashion merchandising and entrepreneurial studies at Marist, stressed that crucial societal and environmental issues need solutions in the fashion industry. And HVSFW is well on the way to making its mark.
“Overall, I think we are going to see the fashion industry embark on a journey that addresses not only what needs to change but how this will be achieved,” said Finn. “Innovative, transparent and inclusive solutions will take on a global approach to circularity.”