2nd Friday ArtWalk: The Sustainable Strut Exhibition at Ackland

A Festivity of Sustainability, Creativity, and Community

Dheri Brown

May 2024

The Sustainable Strut, a student-led fashion show at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, emerged as a platform championing sustainability and ethical practices within the fashion industry. Launched in March 2023 by the UNC Undergraduate Student Government's Department of Environmental Affairs, the event aimed to raise awareness about textile waste and environmental issues.

At its core, the Sustainable Strut embodied a deep commitment to sustainability, believing fashion could catalyze positive change. Aliyah Carrion, the lead creative designer and a UNC junior, conceptualized the project as a way to unite her passions for sustainable fashion and environmental conservation. Her personal experiences, including loss and the healing power of thrifting, profoundly inspired the Sustainable Strut's creation.

The event quickly became a hub for creativity and community engagement, transcending fashion to serve as a vehicle for broader discussions on sustainability, ethical consumption, and environmental justice. Tyra Rubin, a senior and co-director of the Department of Environmental Affairs, emphasized that the Strut aligned with the department's mission to promote student-led environmental advocacy. In the lead-up to the event, students were spreading the word across social media, especially Instagram, and the show sold out both nights around a week in advance. 

The Sustainable Strut showcased secondhand-sourced designs by on-campus and local stylists, fashion collectives, and creative directors, all committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. These designers curated collections based on student models' styles and body types, incorporating personal messages, aesthetics, and causes that resonated with them.

The Ackland Art Museum provided a fitting backdrop, with its artistic ambiance complementing the creativity and sustainability on display.  The choice of the Ackland Art Museum as the venue also symbolized a bridge between different forms of creative expression, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is a universal value that transcends disciplines. This integration of art and fashion captivated the audience, leaving a lasting impression and fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of sustainability in both the fashion industry and the broader cultural landscape.

Beyond the event itself, the Sustainable Strut aimed to inspire attendees to rethink their consumer habits and make more sustainable choices. Aliyah Carrion shared that the event challenged viewers to reconsider their fascination with trends, raising awareness about environmental injustice in the fashion industry and the mistreatment of garment workers. They demonstrated this through the thought-provoking designs and the powerful stories behind each piece, as well as the confidence of the models who brought these sustainable creations to life.

Sustainable Fashion and Ethical Consumption

At the heart of the Sustainable Strut was a focus on sustainable fashion and ethical consumption. The event defined "sustainable" fashion as clothing created and maintained under conditions that support current and future generations, encompassing practices like using thrifted, handmade, upcycled, or locally sourced materials.

The Strut encouraged attendees to explore alternative ways of acquiring and caring for clothing, beyond the conventional fast fashion model. Aliyah Carrion and the organizers highlighted the benefits of thrifting, where individuals could find unique, pre-worn articles and give them a new life.

The event also promoted upcycling, where used clothes were repurposed through artistic methods like sewing, dyeing, and cutting. This creative approach reduces textile waste and allows individuals to express their personal style sustainably.

The emphasis on sustainable and ethical practices was a direct response to the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry, known for its rapid production and consumption of low-quality, trend-driven clothing, contributing to environmental degradation, labor exploitation, and a throwaway culture.

The Sustainable Strut aimed to challenge this paradigm by showcasing student designers and organizations that prioritized sustainability, ethical sourcing, and timeless design over fleeting fast fashion trends. By providing a platform for these initiatives, the event hoped to inspire attendees to make more informed and responsible purchasing decisions, reducing their environmental footprint and supporting a more just and equitable fashion industry.

In designing for the Sustainable Strut, students focus on sourcing secondhand materials and upcycling old clothes into new pieces. This creative process not only highlights the beauty of discarded items but also serves as activism, raising awareness about sustainable fashion. For these students, the event is a platform for self-expression and promoting responsible consumer habits, reflecting their commitment to a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.

Photo credit - Phoebe Martel

Community Engagement and Empowerment

The Sustainable Strut was a celebration of community, creativity, and environmental consciousness. The event brought together a diverse array of student organizations, local designers, and community members to collaborate and create a unique and impactful experience.

Aliyah Carrion emphasized the importance of this community-driven aspect, stating that the Strut was about "making something beautiful out of conventionally non-beautiful things" and using fashion as a means of healing and self-expression. In an interview with The Daily Tar Heel, Aliyah shared,

"I began developing the project at a time when I was grieving the death of a family member and using thrifting as part of my healing journey. This whole thing is about making something beautiful out of conventionally non-beautiful things — like grief, like secondhand clothing.”

The event fostered meaningful partnerships with UNC student organizations like Xpressions UNC, a fashion collective for students of color, and Coulture Magazine, providing a platform for showcasing student creativity and fashion. These collaborations enhanced diversity, inclusivity, and empowered student artists, designers, and activists to shape the future of sustainable fashion.

The event's success was a testament to the passion and dedication of the UNC student community, who worked tirelessly to bring the Sustainable Strut to life. Ella Feathers, the current co-director of the Department of Environmental Affairs, and Christian Chung, a DEA staff member and Xpressions model, played pivotal roles in ensuring the show's success.

The Sustainable Strut's return to the Ackland Art Museum blended creativity and sustainability, serving as a platform for showcasing fashion pieces curated and crafted by UNC student fashion organizations and designers. Despite facing challenges, Aliyah Carrion and the Environmental Affairs branch expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the event, showcasing the dedication of everyone involved.

The Ackland Art Museum's support underscored the importance of integrating sustainability and artistry, reinforcing the message of environmental stewardship conveyed by the show. The Sustainable Strut embodied a celebration of community, creativity, and environmental consciousness, showcasing the dedication and enthusiasm of UNC students to drive positive change through innovative endeavors. Stay updated on future events by following UNC Student Government on Instagram and keeping an eye on The Daily Tar Heel.