06/05/2026
For World Environment Day, the MHCTC recognizes that today's fast fashion comes at an astonishing environmental cost. Due to increasing detrimental impacts of the fashion industry in terms of pollution, water use, carbon emissions, and more, the need for a shift to sustainable fashion becomes increasingly more important. The MHCTC collects alternative fibers and materials such as Lauren's repurposed vinyl billboard dress below to help educate future industry members as part of our "Materials Matter" Collection.
‘Times Square’ Repurposed Vinyl Billboard Dress (2023)
By Lauren Biritz (TAM '24)
“Billboard vinyl is synthetically produced from ethylene (crude oil) and chloride (salt) in a process that contaminates soil, air and water and can lead to cancer and birth defects. A vinyl billboard’s lifecycle is usually around seven months after which it frequently ends up in landfills; about 10,000 tons of billboard fabric waste is generated annually in the U.S. alone. Vinyl is not sustainable, biodegradable nor compostable, but can be recycled an infinite number of times. Upcycling billboard vinyl when it reaches its intended end of life can create incredibly durable apparel and reduce environmental pollution.
This apparel design was created with the desire to reduce the amount of vinyl waste in landfills by giving vinyl a second life to create highly durable and one-of-a-kind street-style/work wear. Taking inspiration from New York City and Japanese street styles and work wear styles, the Times Square dress also speaks to the Mod and futuristic designs of the 1960s, specifically the decade’s paper dresses, space race and British Mod styles. The use of vinyl in this dress creates a modern and sustainable take on the novelty paper dresses of the ‘60s, and much like Times Square itself, the wearer of this dress becomes an advertisement.”
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