Marist College to celebrate Earth Day with sustainable fashion exhibit

The fashion department of Marist College, the private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, will celebrate Earth Day with a sustainable fashion exhibition developed by the program’s senior students as part of the annual Marist Fashion Sustainability + Innovation Conference.

Titled, “Ethereal,” the exhibit will highlight sustainable fashion from established designers such as Phillip Lim, Mara Hoffman, and Gabriela Hearst along with work by Marist alumni and other Hudson Valley designers. The show, which will debut at the school’s Steel Plant Gallery next Thursday evening, April 21, will remain open through the Fall semester in an effort to promote awareness of sustainable design in the industry.

The college’s fashion program is led by designer John Bartlett, winner of two Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards and a “Designer of the Year” recognition by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). Bartlett, who has been a long-time proponent of sustainability and upcycling, took on this position in April 2020.

On Earth Day, April 22, the student-produced conference that can be attended in person in the Nelly Goletti Theater or over Zoom, will feature executives from brands like Ralph Lauren and Eileen Fisher who will discuss the state of the apparel and textile industry and innovations in sustainability. Registration for the event is open on Eventbrite.

Marist Fashion’s 35th annual Silver Needle Runway show, highlighting fashion design seniors’ work, will also be available to view via livestream on May 22 at marist.edu/snr35.