Models strutted through the Current donning shirts from thrift stores, pants that they painted, and hand-me-down shoes at Rethink Waste’s Second Hand Fashion Show. The only rule? No new clothing.
About a dozen students volunteered to design or model items as part of Rethink Waste’s initiative to draw attention to the environmental impact of fast fashion on March 21. People gathered to watch students model their favorite thrifted and upcycled clothing items down the runway.
“We want to prove to you that secondhand clothing and shopping can look good,” said Jacob Sequeira, a Rethink Waste representative.
Sequeira said that secondhand clothing is cool and unique and that, more importantly, it is the most sustainable way to consume clothing.
“Fast fashion is no good,” he said. “A lot of textile waste comes from fast fashion, and I think most of it ends up in the landfill.”
According to the environmental activist group Earth.org, the fast fashion industry generates 10% of total global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water globally.
“I would say the goal of this fashion show is to create a message around sustainable fashion,” said junior Holden Sparrow, a designer and model. Sparrow got most of his outfits from friends and family as well as secondhand shops. For his final outfit, he wore a colorful sweater, a leather jacket, and cargo pants.
“We should pass clothes down and we should thrift,” he said. “We should not waste so much and buy from Shein.” In fact, some Members of Rethink Waste consider Shein to be the worst offender in the fast fashion world.
“Does anyone know what the biggest fast-fashion brand in the US is?” Sequeira asked during a trivia contest in between rounds of outfits. An audience member answered Shein and won a potted plant as a prize.
The billion-dollar Chinese company has been accused of labor violations, including child workers, abusive conditions, and minuscule wages.
As an alternative to fast fashion companies such as Shein, Rethink Waste runs a clothing swap store that practices environmental consciousness.
“Come to the spider exchange because we have lots of secondhand things and thriftware for students,” said first-year Olivia Fears. “It’s all free.”
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Fears worked behind the scenes to coordinate with other student groups, publish information on the outfits, design clothing, and run the event.
The models showed off three different outfits each to an enthusiastic audience. Other student groups came out to show their support: WDCE 90.1: UR Radio played music throughout the event. Seniors Jacob Eisele and Maddie Hitching performed an acoustic guitar cover of “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Social justice publication Caught In The Web Zines provided informational pamphlets about garment waste.
Sequeira hopes to expand the fashion show in the coming years. Rethink Waste aspires to expand and increase involvement with more models, attendees, and an even bigger venue to continue the mission of highlighting the possibilities of a slower fashion cycle and intentional shopping, or something to that effect.
Contact city and state editor Maria Byrnes at maria.byrnes@richmond.edu
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