Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Week Proves Sustainability is Chic
All runway images taken by Ilan Harel Photography
Hundreds Flocked to a Farm Upstate to Witness Couture Amongst the Wildflowers
RED HOOK, New York, October 13, 2025 – Friday, September 26th, could not have been a more perfect day. Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook showed no signs of the previous day’s torrential downpour.
Those who attended last year received a whole new experience on the same piece of land. What was once an open field blossomed into a pollinator’s dream. Butterflies flitted around sunflowers that stood tall above the crowd and provided the dreamiest backdrop to the Hudson Valley’s greenest fashions.
The Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Week board was claiming its third runway show would be its best one yet and they were not made out to be liars.
Annie McCurdy of So Vicki and HVSFW’s chief operating officer believes the designs set the tone for the event. Having participated in all three shows, she shared her perspective on what made the day so special:
“The Organic Runway was a celebration of the artistry each designer brings to their distinct sustainable practice, and the exceptional beauty of the Hudson Valley in its seasonal array of apples, flowers, and a storybook sunset peeking between the Catskill Mountains. It has been wonderful to see this event build a following since its inception in 2023. It feels like a dream to be a part of it and I hope the audience felt a similar magic.”
The designer lineup featured true innovative genius. Kingston-based brand la via après l’amour transformed different elements of men's businesswear into feminine handbags and flirty halters, while Newburgh maker So Vicki created flowing tops and skirts from discarded scarves. Geometric poetry joined two very different lines – Olga +Ella’s medium of choice being denim, crocheted knits for Mixed Color.
Accessories powerhouse MLE debuted their first ever clothing collection for the conscientious gentlewoman and Slow Process married heavy utilitarianism with softness and grace. Showing for their second year, Caitlyn Kiara Couture brought their thoughtful and detailed craftsmanship back to the runway, along with another showstopping headpiece. The opener this year was Touch Threads, a brand that honors the art of nature through their hand-painted pieces.
Last, but certainly not least, the Marist Collective rounded out the show with designs by recently graduated rising stars Hannah Winters and Meg Knudsen.
First-time attendee Allison Baughman of Saugerties had this to say of her experience:
“The thought of supporting sustainable fashion in real time on a natural runway was a dream come true. It scratched my New York Fashion Week itch in a way I felt good about. The vibes at HVSFW were incredible, the clothes were gorgeous, and it just goes to show sustainability is sexy.”
After a wildly successful show, HVSFW CEO and founder Kaitlyn Murray of la via après l’amour – or simply “après” – has her eyes set on the future. “As we head into our fourth year, I am looking forward to building on our collective fashion show. These past three years have served as our "proof of concept," demonstrating what is possible. This is something truly special, an initiative many want to be involved in. Therefore, I envision expanding into a week-long series of events across the Hudson Valley. I would also love to see more community members and organizations getting involved and supporting our efforts. I believe there is power when we all come together.”
Overlooking the 3rd annual HVSFW Organic Runway at Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook NY - Image captured by Jordan Koschei