Project Runway: Circular fashion and its impact on the fashion industry

Owing to Project Runway, Fashion Month 2025 feels less like a runway and more like a recycling bin turned magic show. Designers are proving that old clothes can strut like new. Project Runway alums and big-name houses are leading the charge, stitching pre-loved pieces into collections that look anything but secondhand. Turns out sustainability and style aren’t rivals; they’re actually pretty good teammates.

At Paris Fashion Week, eBay dropped its Endless Runway SS26 project, pulling in heavy-hitters like Ottolinger, Altuzarra, Eckhaus Latta, ERDEM, and Moschino. The idea is simple but bold: why waste when you can rework? Designers from all over the world are reimagining scraps, thrifted gems, and vintage fabrics into fresh looks that scream now.

It feels like the ultimate Project Runway challenge, except this time the whole industry’s playing along. The show’s always thrived on limited resources and wild creativity, and now those same instincts are shaping how fashion thinks about the planet. Circular design isn’t just trendy; it’s the future, and it’s walking the runway in style.

Project Runway designers lead the circular fashion movement

The Endless Runway initiative spans four major fashion capitals, bringing together diverse creative voices. New York contributors include Altuzarra, Eckhaus Latta, Kallmeyer, and LUAR. London features ERDEM, Ahluwalia, and Conner Ives. Milan showcases Moschino and Francesco Murano, while Paris presents Ottolinger, Niccolò Pasqualetti, Burc Akyol, and Institution by Galib Gassanoff.

Each designer approaches circular fashion differently. Ottolinger transforms deconstructed silhouettes using upcycled materials. Niccolò Pasqualetti blends historical elements with contemporary menswear. Burc Akyol's Spring/Summer 2025 collection shows how pre-owned pieces can create precise and daring designs. These collections tell stories through repurposed materials. Designers treat existing garments as starting points rather than limitations, proving that sustainable practices can enhance rather than restrict creative expression.

Major fashion councils support this circular movement through strategic partnerships. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), British Fashion Council (BFC), and Fédération de la Mode Circulaire (FMC) collaborate with eBay on the initiative.

Alexis Hoopes from eBay explains the vision:

"By partnering with the industry's incredible fashion councils as well as a slate of designers, eBay Endless Runway proves that pre-loved fashion belongs on the industry's biggest stages."

These partnerships validate circular fashion as a legitimate industry direction rather than a niche trend. Council endorsement encourages broader designer participation and consumer acceptance. Secondhand style isn’t just cool; it’s cashing in big. The pre-loved fashion market hit $256 billion in 2025 and is already eyeing $356 billion by 2029. That’s not just pocket change; it’s proof that shoppers care about more than quick trends.

Big fashion brands are paying attention, too. Instead of chasing speed, they’re talking durability with clothes built to last, not fall apart after one wash. Supply chains are being rewired, design strategies flipped, and sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet anymore; it’s also about making serious money.

Project Runway’s impact beyond fashion

Project Runway's impact extends beyond runways through community engagement. Alumni like Chloe Dao participate in events such as Spectrum Fusion's "Spotlight on the Stars" gala, which celebrated autistic filmmakers and designers.

These connections demonstrate how sustainability values intersect with inclusion and innovation. The show's emphasis on resourcefulness translates into broader social responsibility initiatives. Circular fashion challenges traditional industry models by redefining creativity within sustainable frameworks. Designers must view existing garments as valuable resources rather than waste materials.

This approach changes consumer relationships with clothing, encouraging appreciation for durability over disposability. The runway becomes a testing ground for innovative reuse techniques. The current momentum suggests permanent industry transformation. As more designers embrace circular principles, sustainable practices may become standard rather than exceptional in fashion design.

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Project Runway airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.

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