Fashion With Purpose

Local Designers Celebrated 250 Years of Upcycled Style at the Las Vegas Fashion Council’s Eco Couture

By Stacey Gualandi

“Vegas fashion is just getting started!”

And with that, the 2026 Eco Couture front-row “fashion-fluencers” have spoken.

The Las Vegas Fashion Council’s annual green carpet runway event showcased fashion with purpose as style met sustainability, living up to its promise of an unforgettable evening. What I like to call an upcycle-palooza!

Fifteen local Las Vegas designers were challenged to create one-of-a-kind runway looks celebrating “America at 250: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, Designing Our Future.”

The hook? They had a $50 budget at Goodwill of Southern Nevada, a 2026 Eco Couture sponsor, to transform previously loved items into couture designs.

“It’s about giving designers a stage to be seen, having their work recognized and opening up opportunities beyond the spaces where they typically create,” said Carrie Carter-Cooper, founder and executive director of the Las Vegas Fashion Council.

It was equally challenging for the panel of judges: Bryan Stewart, chief of marketing and external relations for Goodwill of Southern Nevada; TrinaMarie Shaw, founder of EmpoweredMinds Achieve; Tari Wyse, president of the American Sewing Guild of Las Vegas chapter; and Emily Peplinski, lead garment technician for heads at KÀ by Cirque du Soleil.

They judged the designs on creativity, craftsmanship, sustainability and interpretation of the theme.

Every one of these talented fashionistas met the design competition challenge head-on, but prize packages donated by sponsors the S.I.B. Fund and others were awarded to:

First place went to Min Suh Lim’s “Braided Bloom,” made from 15 pairs of jeans. She also received Best Application of Couture Technique.

Second place, Best Artistic Impression and Crowd Favorite, went to Dr. Nina Vallejo’s “Boneyard Star,” a look that included bed sheets, upholstery covers, pillowcases and beaded sweaters.

Levi Harbeson took third place and Best Theme Interpretation with his “All American Boy” design.

The Social Media Award went to Andra Tanasescu; Jennifer Gonzalez earned Best Elevated Use of Upcycled Materials; and Ashley Mello won Best Execution of Story, using an assortment of 10 leftover skeins of yarn.

There was also a designer and couture runway show featuring clothing generously donated by philanthropist Diana Bennett, with added Goodwill touches styled by Edwina and Shana of Thrifters Anonymous.

All of the treasured items handpicked by Carter-Cooper were available through a charitable silent auction benefiting the Las Vegas Fashion Council. From Armani to Alexander McQueen, the silent auction bidding was fierce.

“Diana Bennett is probably one of the most generous philanthropists in our community,” Carter-Cooper said. “She donates to every single cause that is out there and has been a very dear friend to me personally and a mentor and inspiration.”

The Las Vegas Fashion Council always encourages students, education and creativity across the arts, so it was fitting to have two talented young artists from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Khloe Judd and Braylon Messer, there to sing live.

Attendees who brought gently used clothing to donate to Dress for Success Southern Nevada received raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes.

The fashion-focused evening would not have been complete without beautiful floral arrangements throughout the venue, provided by Michelle Joy Newson-Howard, founder of Flora Couture.

“Flowers and fashion go hand-in-hand. They are part of our culture,” she said. “We need to see more flowers in fashion.”

Malima Farms’ baby’s breath boa was the star of the show!

I was also honored to wear a Flora Couture boutonniere and my gently used, previously loved ensemble from a Rhode Island vintage store as the event’s host.

All proceeds benefit the council’s scholarship programs, events and seminars. Speaking of events, you don’t want to miss Vegas Fashion Week. Mark your calendars for Nov. 12-15, 2026.

Learn more about the Las Vegas Fashion Council’s mission and how you can become a member at lasvegasfashioncouncil.com.