The Blue Paradox Sustainable Fashion Show

Eligible Fashion Students, Submit An Application Today!

The Blue Paradox Sustainable Fashion Show, hosted by Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago and sponsored by SC Johnson, is a curated fashion presentation featuring emerging designers from the Chicago area who incorporate sustainable materials and practices into their work.

This runway show provides a platform for eligible students and recent fashion graduates to share their creative perspectives on sustainability in fashion and present their work on a prominent stage. In addition to the fashion show, this private event will include a panel on sustainability in fashion with industry leaders and advocates. Lastly, designers will receive a $500 materials and preparation support stipend, if selected to participate.

The fashion show will take place on the evening of Earth Day 2025 (April 22) and will be held at The Blue Paradox exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

About The Opportunity

The Blue Paradox exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry explores the complex relationship between humans and the ocean, highlighting the impact of plastic pollution and the importance of conservation. The invite-only event will include industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and media professionals, providing valuable networking opportunities for participating designers.

This is an opportunity to gain recognition, engage with the sustainability community, and show work in a high-profile setting.

Eligibility

Current undergraduate or master’s students or those who graduated after May 2020 from the following Chicago-area colleges are invited to submit their designs for consideration in the showcase: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, College of DuPage, Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, and Harper College.

Schools are not sponsors or otherwise associated with the fashion show/event.

To Be Considered, Designers Must Be:

Aged 18+
Available from 4 pm onwards on April 22, 2025, for the showcase and pre-show walkthrough.
Provide high-resolution images of their completed design by April 14, 2025.
Applying as an individual (not as a team or group submission).
Able to participate in a mentorship session (virtual or in person) in March 2025.
Able to submit an original full-look design (either an existing garment or a design concept that will be created for the show).
Able to secure a model to wear the garment in the runway show (participating designers and models will be required to sign a publicity/liability release permitting Sustainable Fashion Week, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and S.C. Johnson to use the name & likeness of designers and models as well as images of the garment in publicity materials).

Submit Application

Application Deadline: March 10, 2025

Application Guidelines

All interested designers must submit their applications between February 14, 2025 – March 10th, through the official submission portal at: https://forms.gle/b9dBr9TerY7G4eeC7. Selected designers will be notified via email and must confirm their participation by March 13, 2025.

Required Submission Material:

Full name and contact information (email, phone number).
Biography (250 words).
Social media handles (Instagram, TikTok, X).
Portfolio Link (if available).
Sketch of Proposed Design or a photo of the completed outfit being submitted.
Description of design & materials (300 words). Must include details on the use of sustainable materials, inspiration, and garment construction.

Design Criteria

A curatorial panel will review all submissions and invite selected designers to show their work based on: creativity and originality, craftsmanship and execution, and use of sustainable materials.

The submission must be a single outfit (Menswear, Womenswear, or Unisex). The garment must be constructed primarily from recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials. The design must be an original work by the applicant and cannot include third-party logos, copyrighted, or trademarked materials. The design may be an existing garment OR a concept that will be created for the show. The garment must adhere to professional presentation standards and align with sustainability principles. Design must not feature offensive, political, religious, or commercial messaging, and must not promote firearms, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or any illegal content.