12 Innovative Sustainable Moments from NYFW You NEED to See
Sometimes, it can feel like we exist in a fashion week bubble—the "sustainable fashion" bubble—where we become so engrossed in ethical design that we convince ourselves the world is finally catching on. But if what the spiritual baddies on our feeds say is true, delusion is, indeed, the path to reality: New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer ‘25 might have been the most sustainable NYFW yet. Our favorite emerging sustainable designers secured spots on the official NYFW calendar, and better yet, even mainstream designers incorporated sustainable methods into their collections.
While there’s still progress to be made, NYFW SS25 showcased some stunning innovations born from a commitment to sustainability. From unconventional upcycled materials to messages encouraging a deeper connection with the Earth, here are our favorite sustainable highlights from the week.
1. Back to School With Melke
Melke’s SS25 collection, The Book Fair, was brimming with whimsical fun and nostalgia for the Scholastic Book Fairs of the ‘90s and early aughts. Our favorite part of the collection was how they reimagined school supplies into accessories, upcycling them into chandelier eraser necklaces, pencil dresses, and pen hoop earrings.
2. On Mushrooms (& Moss) with Allina Liu
This was the third season we’ve spent with Alina Liu, and once again, we witnessed how her presentations extend beyond the garments, using natural materials to immerse us in the worlds she creates. “Good For Her,” a collection inspired by women-led cults, featured models standing on patches of grass, with their acrobatic cult leader at the center, elevated on a mossy pedestal of mushrooms.
3. LoveShackFancy’s Vintage-Inspired Upcycled Accessories
LoveShackFancy’s “Power to the Pretty” collection reminded us that bows never die and showcased “a mix of upcycled vintage accessories and remnant fabrics” by one of our favorite vintage-inspired creators, Hannah Ruth Zander.
4. PH5 Advocates For Elizabeth Street Garden
PH5 held their SS25 runway at Elizabeth Street Garden, a refreshing location choice, especially compared to the typical fashion week events in New York, which are often held in tall buildings or windowless rooms. While waiting in line to enter the show, I was approached by a woman asking attendees to sign a petition to help save the garden from closure. I was happy to sign and appreciated seeing PH5 use this significant moment to support the community and preserve green third spaces.
5. Mila Sullivan Reworks Beached Materials
Mila Sullivan brings a unique perspective to reworked materials. Her collection, “Dirtbag Dream Beach,” was crafted using a “mix of vintage, thrifted, and discarded fabrics,” incorporating unusual objects like pearls, shot glasses, shells, and lace. These elements transported us to the dreamy world of Florida beach towns, where neon and pastel aesthetics collide.
6. Caroline Zimbalist’s Bioplastic Couture
If there’s one emerging designer excelling in biomaterial innovation, it’s Caroline Zimbalist. Inspired by landscapes, waters, and flora, Zimbalist uses her patent-pending bioplastic to create sculptural, borderline couture pieces. Her presentation also featured some of her flower vases made from the same biomaterial, some of which are biodegradable.
7. Vintage Shows Take Centerstage with Remake & eBay
Secondhand fashion shows are becoming increasingly common at New York Fashion Week, with eBay following in the footsteps of Remake’s Vintage Runway by hosting an entirely secondhand runway styled by none other than Wisdom Kaye. These shows redefine the concept of "newness," proving that revisiting the past and referential design can form the basis for stylistic and creative revolutions.
8. Collina Strada Says “Touch Grass”
Collina Strada aptly titled their SS25 collection “Touch Grass,” with models playfully making their way down the runway, which was actually the grass at Marble Cemetery—some doing flips, mowing grass, or skipping. Models also had grass stuck to their limbs as a subtle reminder that we could all, for lack of a better phrase, "touch grass." We'd gladly roll around in the dirt any day, and if we’re wearing Collina Strada while we do it, that’s just the cherry on top.
9. JRAT’s Zero-Waste Aesthetic
JRAT’s aesthetic is influenced by its zero-waste ethos. Amidst the shredded fabrics and woven elements, our attention was drawn to the bead and button details on many pieces in this collection. Abbott used beads collected by her grandmother and aunt, who would buy vases of beads at thrift stores, sort through them, and gift them to her. The buttons were also a collection from her mom and estate sales.
10. Traveling Through Textiles With Abacaxi
Abacaxi proudly incorporates traditional techniques from designer Sheena Sood’s Indian heritage, like handloom weaving, while also drawing inspiration from the places she travels. Abacaxi’s collection, “Mystic,” features Peruvian openwork hand-machine knits as part of a “continued exploration of texture, colors, and mixing textile techniques.”
11. Christian Siriano is an SoB (Sustainable of Baddie)
Christian Siriano embraced sustainability at his NYFW show by incorporating Circ Lyocell, a recycled textile with the feel of silk, into two pieces of his RTW Spring 2025 collection. According to Teen Vogue, Siriano intended to demonstrate that recycled fabrics can feel high-end and luxurious.
12. Presley Oldham Reimagines Heirloom Jewelry
Presley Oldham made his NYFW debut this month, showcasing a new collection of his signature ethically handcrafted pearl and glass bead jewelry. He also honored his grandmother, Linda Oldham, by repurposing intricate beaded flowers into tops worn by the models.
What was your favorite susty moment from NYFW SS25?