This year marked the second annual Sustainable Fashion Show, put on by Students for Sustainable Fashion at The Ohio State University.
The organization was created in 2023 by Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability (EEDS) major Molly Hoskin and is dedicated to providing OSU students with a space where environmental initiatives and fashion intersect.
This year, on Feb. 28, the show was held at the Wexner Center for the Arts and was celestial-themed. Throughout the presentation, the audience saw speakers from Goodwill Columbus, Circular Thrift and OSU, with Dr. Tasha Lewis lecturing on the importance of sustainability within the fashion industry.
In between demonstrations, models walked the runway in deep hues of blue and black, as well as blinding sparkles and sequins. The showcase wasn’t just brilliant; it was environmentally conscious, too.
Hoskin, SFSF President, said that the inspiration this year came from the first annual show in 2024: “Last year, our organization did the four elements. So we did four collections with earth, wind, fire and air.”
Hoskin said the leadership team was inspired by past Met Gala themes, and that they wanted to create something “ethereal.” She also said that it was important to improve upon their venue, number of models and their emphasis on do-it-yourself (DIY) methods of fashion design.
Model Hannah Bernstein — wearing a crocheted, star-inspired top and miniskirt — and designer Scott Lime were perfect examples of this push for upcycling and sustainability: “Admittedly, my first thought was not a star,” Lime said. “It was biblically-accurate angel.”
Lime said that the star look ended up being more doable, while still matching the celestial theme and looking “unique.” Bernstein took this sentiment to heart, walking through the crowd with a powerful strut and her arms held high.
“I thought I had to walk super girly, because it’s a super short skirt, right?” Bernstein said. “The high fashion walk wasn’t going to work for me…and I felt like that incorporated how I wanted to be silly.”
Hoskin was incredibly proud of the end result, both an outcome of the show’s amazing models and designers.
“For me, my whole thing is sustainability and fashion,” Hoskin said, referencing the use of upcycled fabrics and crochet work. This isn’t her only driving factor, though.
“I’m truly disheartened about what Ohio State is doing right now — cutting a lot of their DEI programs,” she said. “I really hope this event kind of shows the diversity in fashion…not only how it can be fluid, but also that people can wear what they want.”
“People can be themselves,” Hoskin said. “Sustainability is not black and white…That’s what we wanted to showcase.”
