Seattle: The inaugural Pacific Northwest Fashion Week has begun, showcasing sustainable fashion brands and fostering community engagement through various events. Spearheaded by Titus Ross, the event aims to raise awareness of eco-friendly practices in the fashion industry while supporting emerging designers.
The inaugural Pacific Northwest Fashion Week made its debut at the Quality Flea Center on Capitol Hill in Seattle, running from January 24 to January 26, 2024, showcasing a variety of sustainable fashion brands. The event, spearheaded by Titus Ross, creator of the sustainable streetwear brand Thirty+, aimed to bring attention to eco-friendly practices within the fashion industry.
The fashion week featured a series of events, starting with a meet and greet on January 24, hosted by the non-profit organisation The Chayah Movement. This gathering attracted approximately 75 creatives from diverse fields, including fashion, jewellery, photography, and visual arts. Zakiya Cita, the executive director of The Chayah Movement, spoke to The Seattle Medium, emphasising the mission of the organisation: “We’re doing what we value, which is bringing community together. It’s not just a show. We’re gonna elevate and bring everyone on this under the same umbrella.” Cita’s transition from a for-profit fashion brand to a non-profit was inspired by the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, leading to initiatives that focus on workforce development and education in sustainable fashion.
The weekend events included two fashion shows. The first, hosted by Thirty+ on January 25, showcased two designers and featured live performances by musicians Dex Danga and Miaki’l. The follow-up show on January 26 was presented by Clementine Cimetiere of ClemCreations, marking her debut in the fashion show arena. Cimetiere shared her experiences, saying, “The experience was incredible. The team was so fantastic and supportive.”
Cimetiere’s collection, themed “Surrender to Love,” was inspired by Valentine’s Day and featured designs made from second-hand materials, all of which reflect her passion for sustainable practices. She explained to The Seattle Medium, “Clothes are a part of history, and that’s what I really like keeping alive,” as she aims to create a meaningful connection with her audience through her designs.
Both fashion shows provided patrons with information about sustainable fashion, a coat drive, and a variety of vendors, including a tattoo artist. The coat drive, hosted by the Black Equity Coalition, aligned with the goals of the other organisers to provide support and resources to underprivileged groups.
Attendance for the events was reported to be over 150 participants across the two fashion shows, indicating a growing interest in sustainable fashion within the region. Ross expressed optimism about the future of the fashion community in the Pacific Northwest, noting, “I hope that the fashion community in the Pacific Northwest expands so that companies are able to have friendly competition and push each other to be better.” Cimetiere echoed this sentiment, stating, “I think people are ready for bigger and better options.”
The Pacific Northwest Fashion Week marks a significant step towards nurturing a community around sustainable fashion, with continual engagement in workforce training and waste reduction now a focus for the participating organisations. This initiative seeks not only to elevate local designers but also to drive awareness of the impacts of the fashion industry within the community.
Source: Noah Wire Services
