First PNW Fashion Week Highlights Sustainability on the Runway

Sustainability has become one of the most undervalued yet overused words in the fashion industry. It is a concept often defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Yet, designers and retailers have been engaging with and marketing the concept in ways that do the complete opposite over the last decade, making it increasingly harder for shoppers to know who or what to trust.

When H&M was outed for submitting false information about the environmental impacts of their products, for example, the incident not only damaged the brand’s reputation but also setback the industry’s progress. Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition), an alliance to which the fast fashion retailer belongs, removed the public-facing tools that were available to help shoppers better determine whether or not a brand was operating sustainably. Tools that, while not perfect, were arguably a step in the right direction toward providing more transparency.

So, how can shoppers make responsible buying decisions?

Seek out designers like Titus Ross of Thirty+ Clothing. He presents an alternative approach, embodying sustainability through the art of upcycling and strengthening community. On January 25, 2025, he showcased pieces from his current collection alongside Clementine Cimetiere of ClemCreations—who debuted on January 26—at the first-ever PNW Fashion Week. The shows took place at the QFC – Quality Flea Center and featured other local artists and advocacy vendors who promote creativity and challenge the status quo.

Highlights from the Thirty+ Clothing fashion show.

The Evergreen Echo

I spoke with Titus ahead of PNW Fashion Week to discover his inspiration for Thirty+ Clothing and find out what the future of sustainable fashion in Seattle looks like from his perspective as an emerging designer.

[Transcript has been edited for clarity and length.]

JeLisa: Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Titus: Yeah, yeah, yeah. My name is Titus. I’m from Eastern Washington, but really Auburn, Tacoma, and the suburbs of Seattle. And, what I do is I try to just focus on making things to show people that you don’t really need much to do a lot of things. And, so that’s just translating into garments because fashion is my original passion.

JeLisa: How exactly did you get into fashion?

Titus: Originally, how did I get into it? I don’t even know. To be honest, I’ve always been like a little crafter guy. You know? I was the type of kid [who] asked for knitting supplies for Christmas and stuff and it just kind of started off me hustling. Honestly, ‘cause we don’t really have too much. I mean, we were cool but, you know, if you wanted extra stuff we had to just figure it out. I started just selling duct tape wallet[s]. I was doing pretty well with that, and I was in middle school, and then I got into high school. And, I took a class that taught me how to do Illustrator and graphics and screen prints. And, so once I figured out I could just do that, I was just kind of hooked on it. It’s just been ever since. 

JeLisa: I’m curious if there was a pivotal moment for you? For example, my entry into fashion was through music. Seeing what musicians were wearing [and] the visual aspect of things like magazines and reading through the interviews and all of that is how I found out there’s this whole other world [with] photoshoots and curation.

Titus: Okay, that makes sense. Yeah, that’s dope. I guess my intro will probably be, of course, Hip Hop. But really, you know, I started skating when I was like 12. And, you know, skaters and fashion [go] hand in hand and it’s almost on accident. You know, it’s all part of escape culture, really, like your uniform is your clothes. You know a lot of the brands and stuff is down there like a team and so you just kind of pick up on certain things, and I was able to kind of play around with that I guess that would be in my intro, too. 

JeLisa: Yeah, that makes sense. There’s definitely cultural influences in fashion. Who specifically would you say are your biggest influences, if you have any? 

Titus: As far as designers, I feel like I have influence from a different variety that are just really passionate about fashion—like trendsetters, I guess. So definitely, you know, Virgil, of course, just ‘cause of his whole philosophy and the way that [he] impacted so many people…that’s definitely one of my goals. I want to leave it a dope legacy for people and you know some cool ideologies that are beneficial. So, I like the way he moves in that sense. And, then I like people like Tyler [the Creator] and ASAP Rocky, like world building people.

JeLisa: Okay, so with that being said, what motivated you to start your own version of this type of artistry? 

Titus: I’m gonna make stuff regardless, that’s just part of my nature. And, then the other aspect was I was really enjoying the community part of it. How you can really bring people together. You know?

JeLisa: How would you describe your community? 

Titus: I don’t feel like you have to be a certain type of person to be in a community, but if you want to be a part of the community, it’s a misfit community. You know what I mean? It’s whoever wants to be involved. We’re trying to be inclusive, you know, we don’t really judge as long as when we’re coming together, we’re all on the same tip. 

JeLisa: Does this outlook define the name Thirty+ Clothing, or how did you select it?

Titus: Very close. Yeah, everyone always asks that... It was some stuff that just happened [...] when I was in high school. I was involved in the leadership program, so [we] would kind of go out of our way to do different things outside of school, like games—when everyone hit the Red Robin, or whatever. We [would] make the reservation to be 30 plus and it kind of just spiraled out of like everyone’s 30 plus. And, then I just felt the energy around that just captivated on it like yo, let’s do the 30 plus t-shirt. You know what I mean? So, I walked around with the graphic on my phone. I was able to get at least 30 pre-orders. So, everything was 30. So, I said we’re just going. 

JeLisa: I like that, that makes sense. I never would have guessed. Why do you think it’s important for labels like Thirty+ Clothing to exist in this region? You know, knowing the history of the clothing manufacturing here and the lack of prestige in comparison to Los Angeles and New York City?

Titus: Because people need to see that someone did it. You know what I mean? And, people have come out of this city, for sure, but I feel like nobody, designer-wise, is involved with the people as much as I’m trying to be involved with the people. You know? I’ve been blessed to be able to travel for my work to see other places and how they operate. I’ve done New York [Fashion Week]. I’ve done Salt Lake City Fashion Week. I’ve been to Miami… So, I’m just gonna try to build as many lanes as I can for entry-level people to get involved with fashion and then the city’s gonna see. And, then there’ll be more funding, I feel like, and we’ll be able to move differently. You know? 

JeLisa: Yes, [it’s] definitely a choice because it is a challenge to do what we do here for the reasons that you explain. This being said, what would you say is your biggest challenge or has been your biggest challenge yet in building your vision?

Titus: The biggest challenge is just mental and personal situations. This whole process has been crazy. You know? I think, when you’re talking about plans, instead of [people] trying to [talk down], how can we come together on the plan? What can I do for you? The slight disbelief is the thing I struggle with, and then just, you know, I’ve lost a lot. I’ve been homeless twice throughout this process. I’ve lost multiple family members recently. I lost my Grandma and I was mad depressed…was not even trying to sew…I was like, I don’t even understand why I’m doing this…I’m not making no money. Then, I decided I was gonna…have the strength to get through this moment in my life…so, I guess, the resilience.

JeLisa: I’m sorry to hear that, some of the strongest people I know are in this space. I think we all battle with that same mental struggle and thinking about the bigger picture, of how small we are in the grand scheme. But, it’s also a passion. We can’t not do this work. What, on the opposite end, would you say is your biggest win so far? 

Titus: My biggest win? Always keeping things in perspective. I mean, I try to keep it as truthful as I can because, you know, when you’re trying to push community that means when things aren’t the best you still have to figure out how to navigate that, if that's what you stand for and figure out how to end up with a positive end point…. 

JeLisa: That’s an interesting one. I don’t think I've heard that from anyone yet, which is inspiring because it happens quite often. Right? We don’t always see eye-to-eye with the people in the movement, but it’s such a small space that having bad blood is not helpful.

Titus: Everyone’s got their own life. You know what I mean? It’s good, which is why we just gotta be clear about what’s going on. 

JeLisa: Totally. Can you tell me a little bit about the upcoming fashion show? 

Titus: Yo, so mad excited about it. This is our first attempt at tackling some sort of underground fashion week out here in the city. I’m going to be showcasing on Saturday, [January] 25th, and then my fellow designer—Clementine—she’s gonna be showcasing on Sunday, [January 26th]. We worked together for a little bit and it kind of just developed from our last show. Zakiya of The Chayah Movement brought us together to do this panel in Tacoma. It was about sustainability and had a bunch of sustainable designers there. I was like, this is fashion week right now. It’s just not labeled that... So, I said, are you down to be a part of it? Zakiya said she’s, you know, down alongside Clementine. So, I booked a venue and said it is PNW Fashion Week.

JeLisa: Do you envision the show becoming something akin to the preexisting fashion weeks? Do you want it to have that kind of vibe or something more unique? 

Titus: I think I want it to have that vibe for the importance. But, I also feel like people shouldn’t be forced to dress “preppy” or pay over $100 for tickets. I want it to be mad inclusive. I want people to know this is a serious thing and that we can pour energy into this so we can have it like LA Fashion Week. 

JeLisa: When you say fashion week, I think of, say, Dior—designers who are not doing what you’re doing. Do you see a mishmash of those kinds of artistic executions? Or, is sustainability a central focus and having a very interesting take on using secondhand materials and things that are not harmful to the planet yet are beautiful, nonetheless? 

Titus: I want to center around sustainability, definitely. I want to include as many sustainable designers as possible. I’m down for high fashion designers to come. They can come and play in our playground, but you gotta play by the rules. You know? I would like to build some type of partnership, but it’s just gotta be beneficial and make sense for what we have going on. They might not have ever seen sustainable fashion work. We can show them it works and they might be a little bit more open. 

Models wearing designs crafted from Crown Royal bags at the Thirty+ Clothing fashion show.

The Evergreen Echo

JeLisa: What, aside from the fashion designers that you hope to eventually partner with, would you like for other people—maybe attendees, stylists, or different people within the industry—to take away from the show?

Titus: I hope that they can take away that this was a project with a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds from a lot of different cultures, sexualities, ideologies, and religions and the reason why this is working is that we’re all coming together for this one medium. I just want other people to understand how powerful things can be when people are down to put aside all of whatever their mindset or their lifestyle is for the bigger goal. 

JeLisa: It’s so interesting. It’s not even about the clothes. I mean, it is, but it isn’t…it’s kind of like the clothes are like…

Titus: It’s like the cherry on top. 

JeLisa: Yeah…How can people best support your work beyond the fashion show?

Titus: After the spark is over and it dries up, I guess just be mindful of what’s going on. Please support, with or without money. Tell your friends about us. If you know someone that seems like they have some type of connection and we might need them, tell them about us. Also, we have plenty of positions if you want to help.

JeLisa: What’s next?

Titus: I’m doing PNW Fashion Week and then a show in Salt Lake City. You can find the information on our Instagram. Then, I’m out to New York and, hopefully, back for some rest. I also want to learn more complicated garment construction.

JeLisa: Well, that’s exciting! 

Titus: Yeah. We’re not stopping!

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Titus brought his artistry to life during the fashion show, filling the runway with a unique mix of colors, fabrics, and silhouettes reminiscent of streetwear from the early 2000s. The featured pieces—including denim stamped with paint-covered boots, a hoodie and short set made of green and purple Crown Royal bags, and a crocheted front puffer jacket—paid homage to skate culture and were worn by models who reflect the diversity of the community. The collection not only showed how clothes can be transformed to express individuality, but also how to extend the use of materials that may have otherwise been discarded.