How SCU Students Turned Waste into Fashion at the 2026 EcoFashion Show

Designer Anna Truong ’26 poses with the models for her collection “37th Denim St,” which won Best in Show at the 2026 EcoFashion Show, Sean Tsang ’26, Caley Dever ’26, and Nathan Luong ’27. (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara) 

From old jeans, to thrifted ties and discarded fabrics, Santa Clara University students spent months turning second hand materials into runway-ready fashion.

The University’s annual EcoFashion Show challenges student designers to create original looks using secondhand and upcycled materials. The event, now in its fourth year in its current form, aims to highlight the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry.  

For senior Anna Truong ’26, this year’s show carried extra weight. 

“I started thinking about it in summer,” she said. “I wanted to make my last year count.”

Truong, who began sewing during quarantine by making a bucket hat out of an old T-shirt, has spent the last three years refining her craft. This year she pushed herself, creating three collections. “Princess Treatment” featured two ballgown style princess dresses. “tie dance,” was curated using old ties, and “37th St Denim” got its title from the 37 pairs of jeans used to create the three denim patchwork looks. 

Caley Dever ’27 models “37th St Denim.” (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)

Nathan Luong ’27 models a piece from “37th St Denim” designed by Anna Truong. (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara) 

Sean Tsang ’26 models “37th St Denim.” (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara) 

“I’m a little crazy and a little ambitious,” she said, laughing.

Her designs relied heavily on materials from Bucky’s Closet, a campus resource providing free second hand clothing. Truong cut hundreds of hearts and squares, reassembling pieces into detailed, labor intensive garments.

The process wasn’t easy.

“It’s just the workload I put on myself,” she said. “Finding time, and people who know what they’re doing and are willing to help, it’s a lot”

Truong emphasized that her work was far from a solo effort. Friends and models helped hand sew, cut fabric and assemble pieces to bring her visions to life.

“I couldn’t have done it alone,” she said. “I had to give a shoutout to my team.”

Designer Anna Truong ’26 adjusts her piece that model Michael Allen ’26 is wearing during dress rehearsal at the de Saisset Museum on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara) 

That sense of collaboration is exactly what organizers hope the show brings out. According to Veronica Johnson, sustainability academics and engagement program manager, the event is designed to go beyond aesthetics.

“We want to raise awareness of how harmful the fashion industry is,” Johnson said. “Not just environmentally, but also in terms of labor, fast fashion workers are often underpaid and overworked.”

By requiring designers to thrift or upcycle materials, the show encourages participants to rethink consumption habits. Many students source their materials from thrift stores including Bucky’s Closet, transforming these unwanted garments into something new.

First time designer Caitlin Crowe ’28 embraced that challenge. Inspired by the Earth Day theme of the event, she created a piece representing the origins of Earth Day in the 70s using upcycled materials including a bedsheet and natural dye techniques.

“I used flowers from campus,” she said. “You just put them on the fabric and pound them until the pigment transfers.”

Teresa Lara ’29 models Caitlin Crowe’s piece “Flower Power” at the 2026 EcoFashion Show at the de Saisset Museum on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)

The process came with a learning curve.

“There were definitely parts that didn’t turn out great,” she said. “Some leaves just looked like green blobs.”

Still, Crowe said the experience was rewarding, and won her the Versatility Award.

Behind the scenes, co-director Tikdem Heffernan helped bring the show together.

“I feel very relieved,” said Heffernan. “Right up until the show started there were a lot of loose ends. But everything worked out.”

From coordinating music to managing designers, organizers worked behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience. Their efforts paid off, with every seat filled.

For Truong the payoff was especially meaningful. She entered this year's show determined to make an impression.

Her work and dedication did not go unnoticed as she won three separate awards: the Best in Show, High End Fashion and Fan Favorite.

From left to right: Designer Caitlin Crowe, Model Teresa Lara, Model Maxine Rajan, Model Caley Devcr, Model Nathan Luong, Model Sierra Nathu ’27, Model Tram Lieng, Designer Dylan Masamitsu, Designer Anna Truong, Sean Tsang, and Michael Allen hold their awards. (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara) 

Looking back, Truong sees the show as a reflection of her growth over the past four years.

“I’ve grown a lot,” she said. “This is a part of who I am now.”

As she prepares to graduate, Truong plans to continue pursuing fashion, building her portfolio and exploring opportunities in the fashion industry.

“I don’t think I’ll stop creating,” she said.

For others, like Crowe, the journey is just beginning. After her first experience at the show, she’s already thinking about next year.”

“I’ll do it again,” she said. “Now I feel more comfortable.”

For some, the show was a meaningful conclusion. For others, it’s just the beginning.