The Art of Curating Sustainable Fashion

How Runway Recycled Gives New Life to High-End, Vintage, Bridal and Pre-Loved Fashions

By Dr. Bo Best, Founder & CEO – Runway Recycled

At Runway Recycled, our mission is to revolutionize the fashion industry by promoting sustainability, supporting marginalized communities, and addressing the systemic issue affecting the working poor. Central to this mission is our commitment to curating eco-chic fashion by rescuing garments from fashion shows, acquiring deadstock from closing boutiques, and collaborating with eco-conscious community-based organizations (CBO). 

Our curation process involves several key initiatives: 

• Rescuing Runway Pieces: We collaborate with designers to acquire samples and showpieces that have graced the runway. These exclusive items, often produced in limited quantities, are given a second life, allowing fashion enthusiasts to own a piece of haute couture history. 

• Acquiring Deadstock from Boutiques: When boutiques and retailers close their doors, they often have unsold inventory, known as deadstock. We step in to acquire these items, preventing them from ending up in landfills. This approach not only supports boutique owners during transitions but also promotes a circular economy within the fashion industry. 
• Collaborating with Eco-Conscious Organizations: We partner with CBOs that share our commitment to sustainability. Through these collaborations, we source unique, handcrafted items that reflect the cultural heritage and artisanal skills of various communities, adding diversity and richness to our collections. 

Empowering the Working Poor Through Fashion

A significant aspect of our mission is to support the working poor – individuals who are employed yet live at and below the poverty line. By integrating ethical sourcing and fair labor practices into our curation process, we aim to address systemic challenges such as low wages, income instability, and limited access to benefits. 

Our Initiatives Include: 

• Apprenticeship Program: We mentor emerging designing and fashion enthusiasts, particularly those from marginalized communities, providing hands-on experience in sustainable practices. This program equips participants with the skills and knowledge to create eco-friendly designs, fostering economic empowerment and contributing to a more inclusive fashion industry.

• Garment Library: Our Garment Library offers a curated selection of sustainable pieces available to check in/out at accessible prices. This initiative promotes the reuse of clothing, reduces waste, and makes sustainable fashions attainable for individuals from all economic backgrounds. 

• Green Goddess Membership: This membership program provides exclusive access to sustainable fashion collections, events, and workshops. Members join a community committed to making environmentally conscious fashion choices, with a portion of proceeds supporting initiatives aimed at uplifting the working poor within the fashion industry and beyond. 
• Boutique On Wheels (BOW): Our mobile boutique brings sustainable fashion directly to underserved communities, increasing accessibility and raising awareness about eco-friendly, sustainable, and eco-conscious fashion options. By reaching out to areas often overlooked by mainstream fashion and beyond the main fashion hubs, we strive to make sustainable and ethical fashion choices available to all.   

Impact and Community Engagement

By Integrating these initiatives into our curation process, we offer unique eco-chic fashions while actively engaging with the community to promote sustainable and equitable practices. Our events and programs serve as platforms for educating and inspiration, encouraging a collective movement towards a more just and sustainable fashion industry. 

At Runway Recycled, we believe that fashion can be both stylish and responsible. Through our dedicated curation process and community-focused initiatives, we strive to make eco-conscious and eco-chic fashion accessible and appealing to all, while addressing the systemic challenges faced by the working poor in the industry. 

¹ eBay’s Second Hand Fashion Show at NYFW 2024: A Winning Step Towards Circular Fashion

²  Trash the Runway 2024: What You Need to Know – Jennifer Egbert

³  In the Rush Back to the Runways, Sustainability Slipped Out of the Headlines – Here’s Who’s Still Innovating (Emily Farra, 2021)