Blue Paradox Earth Day fashion show highlights Chicago's sustainable designers

On Earth Day 2025 (April 22) the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry became the epicenter of innovation and environmental advocacy as it hosted The Blue Paradox Sustainable Fashion Show, sponsored by SC Johnson. This exclusive event celebrated sustainable fashion design while raising awareness about the fashion industry’s role in plastic pollution and climate change.

Curated by Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago and The Curio, the runway show, produced by ZZAZZ Productions, featured 20 visionary designers—all emerging talents and recent graduates from leading Chicago fashion schools, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Columbia College Chicago, College of DuPage, Dominican University, and Harper College. Each designer’s work explored the intersection of sustainability and fashion, showcasing garments crafted from upcycled materials, recycled textiles and biodegradable fabrics.

The show was hosted by Cortney Hall, Emmy-nominated co-host of NBC’s Chicago Today, and included a powerful fashion sustainability panel led by internationally recognized fashion photographer and environmental advocate Nigel Barker, along with SAIC faculty member Kristin Mariani.

Nigel Barker shared a heartfelt statement about the night’s significance: “Fashion has played a huge role in my life, and I love the creativity and storytelling it exudes. However, plastic waste is a massive global issue, and the fashion industry unfortunately has a stark role in it. That’s why The Blue Paradox Sustainable Fashion Show was such an important event to demonstrate how making simple changes with our fashion choices – from the materials we choose to where we buy from – can have a lasting impact.”

Judged and curated by industry leaders including Macaila Britton (founder of Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago), Maggie Gillette (co-founder of Chicago Fashion Week), and Mariani, the event served as a platform for young talent to engage in meaningful fashion activism. The designers explored concepts like slow fashion, circular fashion and zero-waste pattern making, bringing tangible solutions to the forefront of the industry conversation.

Designers such as YOYO Zheng, Presley Baldwin, and Cesar Benavente Oblitas (SAIC), Ro Bradford and Kelsey Gibson (Columbia College Chicago), and Elizabeth Herwaldt (College of DuPage) impressed with collections rooted in ecological awareness. Their work stood as a powerful reminder of the growing movement among Gen Z designers toward eco-conscious fashion design and the desire to reshape the future of the industry through ethical fashion practices.

The night attracted a crowd of celebrities and style influencers, including Chicago P.D. stars Marina Squerciati, Benjamin Levy Aguilar, and Toya Turner; Chicago Fire’s Jake Lockett and Hanako Greensmith; and Chicago Med’s Nick Gehlfuss. Notable attendees also included fashion icons Maria Pinto, Christina Karin, Sheila Rashid, and digital fashion creator Brenda Levesque, along with Matt Rodriguez from NBC Chicago.

The show took place inside the Blue Paradox Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, a dynamic installation designed to educate visitors on the dangers of ocean plastic pollution. The immersive space provided a fitting and inspiring backdrop for garments built with sustainable production methods in mind.

Backed by SC Johnson’s environmental initiatives, the evening was more than a fashion show—it was a call to action for both consumers and creators to consider how the choices they make affect the planet. As more people seek ways to support eco-friendly fashion brands and reduce their carbon footprint, events like The Blue Paradox offer a tangible glimpse into a more responsible and beautiful future.

To learn more about sustainable fashion events in Chicago, support emerging designers, or discover how to adopt more environmentally responsible fashion habits, visit: Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago ; The Curio ; SC Johnson Sustainability ; Blue Paradox Exhibit – MSI Chicago.