Sustainable Fashion at NYFW 2024

Spotlight on Sustainable Brands at Spring NYFW 2025

As New York Fashion Week (NYFW) kicks off its Spring 2025 season this September, the emphasis on sustainability has never been more prominent. Designers and brands are stepping up to showcase collections that not only captivate with their creativity but also prioritize environmental responsibility. Here’s a look at some of the sustainable brands leading the charge this season.

1. Gabriela Hearst

Gabriela Hearst continues to be a vanguard of sustainable luxury, and her Spring 2025 collection is no exception. Debuting at NYFW, Hearst’s designs feature natural fibers like organic cotton and ethically sourced silk, with a focus on deadstock materials to reduce waste. Her collection is a study in how timeless elegance can go hand in hand with a commitment to sustainability, offering pieces that are as durable as they are chic.

2. Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney, a pioneer in sustainable fashion, has once again raised the bar with her Spring 2025 collection. This season, McCartney showcased garments made from innovative materials such as plant-based leathers and recycled textiles. Her continued use of sustainable practices, like zero-waste cutting techniques and eco-friendly dyes, highlights her dedication to creating fashion that is both luxurious and kind to the planet.

3. Mara Hoffman

Mara Hoffman’s Spring 2025 collection, unveiled this September, is a celebration of vibrant color and sustainable materials. Hoffman has long been committed to ethical production, and this season’s designs are crafted from organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fabrics. Her collection emphasizes versatility and seasonless wear, proving that sustainable fashion can be both practical and stunningly beautiful.

4. Eckhaus Latta

Eckhaus Latta, known for their cutting-edge designs, brought their unique perspective on sustainability to Spring NYFW 2025. Designers Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta experimented with upcycled materials and local production processes, resulting in a collection that pushes the boundaries of traditional fashion. Their use of unconventional fabrics and commitment to reducing waste make them standout innovators in the sustainable fashion space.

5. Collina Strada

Collina Strada, under the creative direction of Hillary Taymour, remains a frontrunner in merging sustainability with bold, statement-making fashion. The Spring 2025 collection, presented this September, features a mix of upcycled clothing, hand-dyed pieces, and biodegradable materials. Taymour’s designs are as much about activism as they are about aesthetics, encouraging consumers to think critically about their clothing choices and the impact they have on the environment.

6. Raeburn

British brand Raeburn made a strong impact at Spring NYFW 2025 with a collection centered on circular fashion principles. Designer Christopher Raeburn’s focus on remade, reduced, and recycled materials was evident in garments crafted from surplus fabrics and repurposed textiles. His utilitarian designs are not only functional but also a testament to the potential of sustainable fashion to be both durable and stylish.

7. eBay’s Circular Fashion Initiative

Adding to the sustainability narrative at NYFW this season is eBay’s Circular Fashion initiative. eBay is making its presence felt with a dedicated showcase that highlights the importance of circularity in fashion. This initiative encourages the reuse and resale of clothing to extend the life cycle of garments, thereby reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to fashion consumption. The eBay display at NYFW includes curated pieces from top designers, second-hand luxury items, and exclusive collaborations, all reinforcing the value of buying pre-owned and vintage fashion. This showcase not only underscores eBay’s commitment to sustainability but also aligns with the growing consumer interest in circular fashion practices.

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Fast Fashion... the Curse

First, let us break down what modern slavery is. Modern slavery is when your employer controls you through either mental or physical abuse. It is estimated that there are around 29.8 million slaves in the world. In a variety of industries.

This hits close to home for me because I am from Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan was ranked by the US as a tier 3 country for human rights. In fact, the Global Slavery Index ranks Uzbekistan second after North Korea. Where they stated around 3.97% of the population is in modern slavery. The major violation happening in Uzbekistan is the forcing of citizens as young as 7 to pick cotton during the harvest time.

This is mandatory, during the USSR my parents participated in this while they were growing up. I never knew it was slavery. When they talked about it, they obviously complained about the conditions and quotas, but always made it seem like a summer camp where you hung out with friends. Since the fall of the USSR the conditions have gotten worse in the country, thus the country has become even more dependent on cotton.

Uzbekistan is the 5th largest exporter of cotton in the world. Last year they signed a 1 billion dollar contract to export cotton all over the world. The major consumer of Uzbek cotton is Daewoo. Daewoo is a South Korean company who produces a variety of products ranging from refrigerators to textile. Prior to signing a petition to stop using this cotton major brands like Macy’s, Target, and Zara all sourced their cotton from Uzbekistan.

What has been done in order to end this. 

From the international community putting pressure on the Uzbek government, rules have been in place to limit the amount of children who are forced to work. Unfortunately, not much has happened since. This topic isn’t presented in the media because Uzbekistan is a closed off country. Plus, no one knows where this place is. In fact, when I say I am from Uzbekistan people say Pakistan to which I say no it’s the country next to Kazakhstan or Borat.

The fashion industry has been taking responsibility. They pledged to not only stop using Uzbek cotton but other resources from around the world that were sourced from slave labor. I would ask all of you to think twice before buying something. There are lists online which show companies that source their products from places that use slavery.