Rice University recently hosted inThread’s second annual fashion show, celebrating the group’s mission of practicing sustainable design and showcasing emerging local talent. The organization is Rice’s student fashion and sewing club.
The runway show featured designers from across Houston, including participants from Houston Community College, which possesses a highly reputable fashion design program.
“Our fashion show highlights eco-friendly garment creation, sparking conversations about sustainability in the fashion industry,” show organizer and Hanszen College senior Sharon Low said. “We believe fashion should be both an artistic expression and a force for environmental change. Through this platform, we aim to raise awareness of fashion’s impact and encourage conscious consumer choices for a more sustainable future.
“This year’s show featured upcycled garments and designs made from scrap fabric, proving that sustainability can be both innovative and beautiful. More importantly, we hope to inspire our audience — especially those new to fashion — by showing that creativity and sustainability are accessible to everyone. Fashion can be a powerful tool for both self-expression and positive change.”
This year’s theme, Perforations, was presented in collaboration with an Archi-Arts exhibition, blending fashion with additional mediums of creative expression for a unique, immersive experience.
The theme sought to explore the idea of uncovering “what lies beneath” by questioning the environmental and ethical realities of fashion production. It also celebrated the physical craft of garment-making with designers incorporating techniques like tearing, ripping and cutting to emphasize materiality.
Low said the collaboration with Archi-Arts, an annual art exhibition by the Rice Architecture Society, was a standout feature.
“This partnership brought an architectural installation to the runway, merging fashion and structural design in a unique, engaging way,” she said. “The result was an innovative, multidisciplinary showcase by Chris Kwon and Jeff Xia that deepened the artistic and conceptual impact of the show.”
Low gave credit to her colleagues on inThread’s executive team for making the show a success. The team includes Alice Bian, Addy Choi, Anwuli Chukwumah, Hugo Gerbich Pais, Alex Jamu, Ralphie Xu and Jayden Yan.
Since its founding in fall 2023, inThread has grown rapidly.
“While the organization is certainly still young, our board has expanded and engagement from both new and returning designers has increased,” Low said. “This year, we welcomed fresh talent and bold, experimental designs, reflecting our evolution from a small, passionate group into a diverse and thriving creative community.”
Low attributes the Office of Sustainability as a key factor in this growth.
“Their resources and commitment have played a crucial role in helping us expand our reach and bring our vision to life,” she said.