The United States Environemntal Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that almost 17 million tons of textiles from fashion ended up in landfills in 2018. That same year, the recycling rate for all textiles was only 14.7 percent, according to the article. 

To bring awareness to the environmental impacts that fashion can have, Fashion Week Columbus (FWC) hosted a “Recycled Runway” Wednesday evening, which highlighted six designers who each curated one piece made from materials considered to be trash. 

The event brought awareness to the large amounts of clothing and accessories that end up in landfills every year and combated it with a show featuring upcycled and recycled pieces, proving that fashion can and should be sustainable. 

The show, sponsored by Nurtur Salon, included unique hair and makeup looks created by employees of the salon, whose mission is to create holistic beauty and wellness while simultaneously caring for the planet. 

To begin, the first model walked the runway wearing an orange, off-shoulder, floor-length gown and a white fishnet high-low skirt adorned with black bows trailing along behind the model.

Following behind was a red and blue corset-style dress made out of water bottles and newspaper. The dress was asymmetrical and featured a boasted off-shoulder, yet sleek look. 

Next was a purple and green dress, juxtaposing a high-leg slit and a low-cut v-neck. This piece also had a matching headband and was composed of vinyl from Columbus Coated Fabrics, a factory that produced fabrics in the Columbus area before its demolition in the early 2000s.

Following along was a crocheted and rose-adorned dress made entirely of plastic bags. The bags were cut into thin yarn-like strips which were used to weave together the piece. 

“I have never worn placstic bags as an outfit before,” said Kadar. “The experience actually felt quite normal.” 

Model Paige Kadar strutted down the runway while boasting plastic bags from commonly shopped stores, including Target and Marshall’s. 

“I have never worn plastic bags as an outfit before,” said Kadar. “The experience actually felt quite normal. It felt like I was wearing just a normal corset-style top which makes me think that we could possibly see more fashion made from repurposed materials since I felt that my garment was very wearable.” 

Kadar’s hair was tied back using plastic bags and she had a short train of plastic following her down the runway. 

Kadar said that she had volunteered at the Finale Runway show in 2022 but that this was her first time getting the opportunity to be in one of the shows. 

“The designer I modeled for, Alex Trembay, is a part of the Fashion Production Association here at Ohio State and that is where we first met,” said Kadar. “Alex asked me to model and I was so excited to be a part of a professional runway show, which is something I have never done before.”

The next model who took to the stage, walked the runway displaying a two-piece set created from masks and gloves, which filled landfills during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to an article in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Technology, during the peak of the pandemic, around 129 billion masks were being used globally each month and many of them ended up discarded on sidewalks and the sides of the roads. 

This look, meant to draw attention to the amount of waste that came from mask litter throughout the pandemic, was topped off with a mini handbag designed from an old Stella Artois case. 

The final designer of the night used newspaper to create an extravagant Cruella de Vil-inspired piece. 

Motifs of leather were incorporated throughout the look, from the gloves to the skirt underneath, giving a sense of luxury to something as simple as a newspaper. 

The piece also included a large bow made from newspaper in the front, and a newspaper train running behind the model, proving that recycled fashion can be just as elegant. 

FWC continues until Saturday, with upcoming shows including the Philanthropy Meets Fashion event held at the Columbus College of Art and Design, FWC’s Mixer and the 14th annual Finale Runway, which highlights headline designer, Prajjé O. Jean Baptiste. 

For Scarlette’s full gallery of photos from this year’s Recycled Runway show click here.

PHOTOGRAPHY Yasmine Skalli 

Lollapalooza 2023, held in the heart of Chicago, not only delivered an unforgettable music experience, but also provided a platform for artists and attendees alike to showcase their unique fashion sense. 

Among the standout artists at the festival were Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey and J.I.D, each bringing their distinct style to the stage and inspiring the fashion scene. 

Kendrick Lamar, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic performances, sported a bright blue ensemble during his set. He was seen wearing an oversized, vibrant blue zip-up with matching pants. He finished off the look with a matching blue Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap and blue Nike shoes. 

His outfit exuded a mix of urban streetwear and high-fashion elements, embodying his status as a trendsetter in both the world of music and fashion.

Billie Eilish, the reigning queen of alternative pop, brought her iconic style to Lollapalooza. She performed wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey, paying tribute to Chicago’s basketball team, layered over a skeleton long sleeve and matching basketball shorts.

Accessory-wise, she adorned herself with chunky silver chains, black rimmed sunglasses, and a collection of rings, adding an edgy touch to her look.

Lana Del Rey, the ethereal pop songstress, graced the Lollapalooza stage with her signature vintage-inspired style. She embraced a timeless elegance, wearing a high-low wedding dress. Lana Del Rey’s outfit choice transported the audience to a different era, as she combined classic beauty with a touch of modern bohemian chic. She finished off the look with a simple white headband, further enhancing her enchanting presence on stage. 

J.I.D, the rising hip-hop sensation, paid tribute to Mac Miller during his set. He sported an oversized black Mac Miller tee shirt paired with a chunky gold chain, bringing together a fusion of old-school and contemporary elements that resonated with his fans.

Beyond the artists, festival-goers themselves contributed to the fashion spectacle at Lollapalooza 2023. 

Attendees embraced diversity and self-expression, sporting an array of styles that ranged from bohemian to futuristic, from sustainable fashion choices to athletic-wear. 

Lollapalooza provided an opportunity for performers along with the festival attendees to showcase their unique and expressive sense of style, adding an extra layer of excitement and creativity to the already vibrant atmosphere of the event. The festival proved that music and fashion are inseparable forms of artistic expression, with artists and fans alike using their attire to convey their personalities, messages, and passions.

On April 22nd, 2023, Ohio State’s Fashion Production Association put on their long-anticipated fashion show. This year’s theme was Rebirth, and featured 15 designers as well as their perception of new beginnings and the transformative power of fashion.

The show began with Michelle Kerr’s collection, the Roaring 20s. In her collection, she chose to highlight the 1920s style with a strong motif of pearls and fringed fabric. This piece embodied the theme of rebirth as she took something from a century ago and modified it to fit today’s day and age. 

Following up was Ouroboros, named after a dragon that eats its own tail, stuck in a constant cycle of rebirth. The designer, Jiana Trizzino, used shimmery garnet fabric and even designed a piece that mimics dragon scales. 

Lena Wu, Levana Wu, and Sophia Kortan showcased their collection, the Rose That Grew From The Concrete. Their collection intertwined reds and golds, with roses adorning the pieces. Their collection highlighted the beauty of growing through difficult times, hence the name. Their piece was influenced by a poem by Tupac.

Models next showcased Mushrooms, designed by Molly Gurik. Molly wanted to display her perception of rebirth through decomposition and decay, and did so with her enchanting and pixie-esque looks. Three models displayed her collection beautifully.

Tamia Duke’s collection, OvHERlooked, was next to come down the runway. Her collection was inspired by Black Culture in the 90s and hip-hop era. Tamia also worked to highlight the feminine silhouette which was often times not highlighted during this time period.

Butterfly is the next collection, designed by Liz Slywka. Butterflies are oftentimes a symbol of rebirth, and Liz wanted to display what the theme meant to her. Patchwork pieces of electric blues, fuchsias, and black took the audience by storm as the models walked the runway.

Following this piece was Noor Abukaram and Elyssa Jones’s collection, titled Harlem Renaissance. Their take on the rebirth theme was to take a time period from decades ago and combine the styles with modern-day street style. Lots of layered pieces could be seen in their collection.

Models modeling Theresa Le Pham’s and Matthew Turnquest’s collection, titled Lunares, came down the runway next. This three-part collection embodied the moon, highlighting the colors of the moon (white, black, and gray), and featured the motifs of curves that are also present in the moon.

Next, Brianna Roemmele’s piece entitled Resilience came down the runway. Her piece wanted to capture how it feels to grow up. She began with a piece that was more naïve, working her way up to a piece that was more of an embodiment of the teenage spirit. To Brianna, rebirth is the process of maturing and going through life’s ups and downs.

Following was Aviva, a collection designed by both Cing San Huai and Alejandra Zaldivar. Their piece had elements of spring, highlighting cherry blossoms blooming and a nature-y look. Their collection symbolizes rebirth through the idea that spring brings hope and new beginnings.

Keona Sakai took elements of her Japanese culture and the lotus flower, in her collection which she titled Lotus Flower. The audience could see the opening and closing of the flower through her pieces as they came down the runway.

Following Keona’s collection was Ajah Rowell’s collection, entitled Rebirth of the Day. Her 3-piece collection highlighted the different colors of the day, from the lovely oranges and yellows of the morning, to the beautiful navies and purples of the nights.

Following up was Alex Trimbley’s collection, called Anthozoa. Alex wanted to capture their childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist. They intertwined their pieces with crocheted pieces that symbolized coral. Their collection was versatile; model Paige Kadar demonstrated how her crocheted piece could be adjusted as she moved down the runway.

Carolyn Ready presented her collection: Cross Culture. Her collection took inspiration from Indian fashion, with stunning textiles from India. The models sparkled in the light as they walked the runway in the beautiful pieces.

The show ended with a grand finale of Venus, by Ella Kalis. Her piece was inspired by the Renaissance painting “The Birth of Venus” and the Little Mermaid. Her collection highlighted the female form with stunningly beautiful form-fitting pieces and ended with a beautiful cobalt ball gown, symbolizing the rebirth of Venus from sea foam.

The Fashion Production Association at Ohio State did a wonderful job hosting their first in-person fashion show since the pandemic, and the hard work of all the participants was so incredibly evident. I am so excited to see what the future holds for OSU’s Fashion Production Association!