The fashion industry isn’t exactly known for its sustainability, but Carbondale’s Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza is changing that, stitch by stitch, as it presents its 12th fashion show Thursday through Saturday.
“It’s surprising how many popular and mainstream designers are slow in committing to sustainability, but it is creeping into the fashion industry in a good way,” said Amy Kimberly, the show’s director. “Lucky for us, we have talented designers in this valley and state who are devoted to upcycle and reuse for their lines, and it’s exciting to see what they create.”
The sold-out fashion show at Carbondale Rec Center features 49 models, 29 Colorado designers, 19 dancers, and 11 additional performers. With more than 600 tickets sold per night, proceeds benefit Carbondale Arts’ education programs, which include free after-school arts classes, curriculum-based arts education, youth scholarships, bilingual piano, and the traveling Rosybelle Mobile Maker Bus.
Kimberly saw the power of the runway and how music and choreography can heighten emotion during her five years as the executive director of the Telluride AIDS Benefit, which used a similar format to raise money. Her aim in bringing a sustainable fashion show to Carbondale, in addition to highlighting creative makers, included bringing awareness to Mother Earth by asking designers to fulfill sustainable requirements of employing upcycled or recycled materials or using fabrics generated sustainably, such as organic cotton, hemp, or recycled plastics.
