Fashion is creative and fun, but it also has a large environmental footprint, from the water and energy used to make fabric to the clothes that end up in landfills. In June 2025, Santa Monica College (SMC) put that challenge front and center at its annual student fashion show, LA Mode 2025, under the theme “Style, Substance & Sustainability.”
Quick answer: LA Mode 2025, held June 20, 2025 at Santa Monica College, showcased 25 student collections and judged them on sustainability alongside creativity, marketability and technical skill. It showed how the next generation of designers is treating sustainability as a core part of good fashion, not an extra.
Why sustainable fashion matters
Clothes and other textiles are a growing part of what we throw away. The U.S. EPA estimates that Americans generated 17 million tons of textile waste in 2018, and landfills received 11.3 million tons of it. Only about 14.7 percent of textiles were recycled that year (EPA).
Sustainable fashion tries to shrink that footprint in a few key ways:
- Reducing waste by designing durable, timeless pieces people keep for years instead of fast-fashion items worn a few times.
- Lowering environmental impact through better materials and less water, energy and chemical use in manufacturing.
- Ethical production with fair pay and safe working conditions across the supply chain.
- Innovation such as upcycling old garments and testing new low-impact materials.
The show: Style, Substance & Sustainability
SMC’s Fashion Program hosted LA Mode 2025 on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Core Performance Center Courtyard on the SMC Main Campus. The show featured 25 student-designed collections, ranging from everyday wear to avant-garde pieces (Santa Monica College).
The evening began at 4 p.m. with the “Mocha Carpet,” where guests could network with fashion professionals, SMC alumni and students and pick up sponsor giveaways. Tickets were 25 dollars, or 20 dollars for college students with ID.
Sustainability on the judging sheet
A panel of industry judges, including designers and stylists, evaluated the collections for marketability, creativity and technical achievement, and also for sustainability. Awards were announced live at the show.
Putting sustainability on the scorecard sends a clear message to young designers: thinking about where fabric comes from, how long a garment will last and what happens to it afterward is part of doing the job well. Those habits can follow students into their careers.
The people behind the runway
The show was produced by SMC fashion faculty La Tanya Louis, Lorrie Ivas and Wynn Armstrong, with help from photography, media and cosmetology students. Jeff Abrams, founder of the clothing line Rails, sponsored the event and awarded 20 fashion scholarships. Designer Kevan Hall received the Style and Substance Award for his contributions to the industry.
What it means now
LA Mode 2025 is a useful example of how local colleges can push an industry forward. You don’t have to be a designer to take part. Buying fewer, better-made clothes, shopping secondhand, repairing what you own and donating or swapping items you no longer wear all help keep textiles out of landfills.
Frequently asked questions
What was the theme of LA Mode 2025?
The theme was “Style, Substance & Sustainability.” Student collections were judged on sustainability along with creativity, marketability and technical achievement.
Where and when was LA Mode 2025 held?
It took place on June 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Core Performance Center Courtyard on Santa Monica College’s Main Campus, with a pre-show Mocha Carpet starting at 4 p.m.
How can I make my wardrobe more sustainable?
Buy fewer but higher-quality pieces, shop secondhand, repair and care for what you own, and donate, swap or resell clothes instead of throwing them away. Each of these keeps textiles in use longer.
Explore your impact
Curious how clothing, food, energy and travel add up for your household? Visit our free Sustainability Lab to try our simulators and see which everyday changes make the biggest difference.
Related guides
- Start your certification in sustainability. Free course work and accreditation from Santa Monica College
- Small Changes, Big Impact: The Power of Everyday Sustainability
- Accessible Sustainability: Making Eco-Friendly Choices Attainable for All
Sources
- U.S. EPA, Textiles: Material-Specific Data
- Santa Monica College, SMC Fashion Program Presents LA Mode 2025 June 20
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
