CPUT recently hosted its Green Fashion Show, where students showcased their recycled-material designs. The Green Campus Initiative Fashion Show is an event created to promote environmental awareness and create a space for creatives to show off their talents.  The eye-catching garments were created by students outside of fashion design. Green Campus Initiative is an action-based organisation comprised of students and staff who work to make the university sustainable and environmentally friendly.

When we think of our carbon footprint on the planet, bulky aeroplanes, car emissions and disposable plastics come to mind – very rarely do we consider what we wear as ‘environmentally detrimental’. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions. More than 85% of all textiles end up in landfills each year, furthermore, the detergents we use to wash parts of the clothes send bits of plastic into the ocean – equal to 50 billion plastic bottles. Fashion consumerism has also grown over the years, with people buying over 50% more garments, yet keeping them for half as long. 

The idea of fusing fashion with environmental activism, was done to “appeal to students in a way that they would love to (receive) information – not sticking to traditional forms of educating people,” adds Melani-Ann Hara, the Student Development Officer at CPUT.

Fourteen designers showcased their eco-friendly works of art, with three brilliant students taking top spot. “All of them were amazing and special…And not all the students are necessarily design students.” Melani-Ann says that this event shows that students have hidden talents in things are not pursuing academically.

Melani-Ann says that the Green Campus Initiative is now looking to revive its on-campus food gardens. And creating communal spaces surrounding these gardens, where students can connect with nature.

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