Sustainability took centre stage at STADIO School of Fashion’s Worn & Reborn showcase on 29 November 2025, marking 30 years of fashion excellence and education for the institution (formerly Lisof Fashion Design School). Held at 012Central, a revitalised industrial venue in the heart of Pretoria’s CBD, the event reflected STADIO’s commitment to embedding circular design principles into its teaching and practice. Circular design is a way of thinking about fashion that moves away from the “take-make-dispose” model and instead focuses on creating garments and systems where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
“As the global fashion industry confronts the realities of waste and overproduction, we are reimagining how designers are trained,” says Maryne Steenkamp, Head of School of Media & Design. “STADIO has actively embraced the principles of circular design by striving to close the loop within our fashion programmes. Both Higher Certificate and BA in Fashion (Design Specialisation) students are taught to apply sustainable methods, such as upcycling, in their design and construction processes, transforming discarded garments and textile waste into new, innovative pieces.”
Sustainability on the runway
That philosophy came to life on the Worn & Reborn runway, where students across multiple programmes presented sustainability-focused collections celebrating creativity, responsibility and craftsmanship.
Higher Certificate students’ “DECON/STRUCT” range transformed pre-loved Levi’s denim and men’s shirts into sculptural streetwear through a collaboration with Levi’s Africa and Clothes Too Good. Each look incorporated 60–70% upcycled denim, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“This project encouraged creativity through repurposing pre-loved Levi’s jeans, promoting innovation while supporting a more ethical and circular fashion industry,” says Steenkamp.
Second-year BA Fashion Design students partnered with Sealand, the Cape Town brand celebrated for its dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship, to create capsule collections under the theme “Outdoor Luxe”.
“It’s a fusion of functionality, comfort and sophistication suited to glamping and high-end outdoor fashion,” Steenkamp explains. “Students used production offcuts and faulty garments provided by Sealand, transforming waste into luxurious, stylish pieces that embody the brand’s ethos and highlight the potential of ethical, circular fashion.”
The show also featured innovative work from first-year BA students under the theme “Chaos vs Order”, exploring the tension between structure and spontaneity through asymmetry and layered textures, while second-year Diploma students presented “Soft Tailoring Meets Denim City Dressing”, merging refined tailoring with an all-denim aesthetic for urban sophistication.
Rounding off the evening, third-year BA and Diploma students revealed their final three-look collections – the culmination of their studies – showcasing critical research, design thinking, and distinctive creative identities informed by global trends, cultural heritage and sustainability.
Sustainable thinking, all year round
“By encouraging the use of offcuts, reused materials and even repurposed shopping bags, the curriculum promotes a holistic understanding of the entire production cycle and the importance of minimising waste,” says Steenkamp. “Furthermore, students are trained to construct and produce garments responsibly, gaining hands-on experience that reinforces sustainable thinking.”
This focus extends beyond design. “Through experiential learning with local CMT (cut, make, trim) manufacturers, students are exposed to the value of ethical, local production, reducing the environmental footprint associated with outsourced manufacturing,” she adds. “In doing so, STADIO fosters a new generation of designers who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.”
Graduates ready for the future
For Steenkamp, these projects exemplify how STADIO prepares graduates for the realities of the creative economy. “By the time BA in Fashion students reach their third year, they are equipped to design collections that extend beyond aesthetic appeal to embody strategic, market-relevant thinking,” she says. “Their final collections integrate aesthetic and functional design with a well-defined concept, trend direction and a clearly identified end user or target market.”
Graduates leave STADIO ready to work with conscience as well as creativity. “Circular design isn’t an add-on for us – it’s the lens through which we teach fashion,” Steenkamp says. “Our students learn to think critically about materials, waste and production. By working directly with sustainable brands and local manufacturers, they see how responsible design translates into real-world practice.”
