Fashion Students Lead Sustainability Through Cross-University Design Collaboration

Bowie State University fashion design students are transforming creativity into environmental action through “Sustained: The Dandy Edition,” a sustainability-focused project uniting students from multiple institutions, including Howard University and Virginia Commonwealth University. The collaboration, praised by President Aminta H. Breaux for elevating experiential learning and bringing HBCU students together, highlights student innovation, sustainability and cross-university partnership. 

The project is led by Danielle Brown, assistant professor and lead instructor of fashion design, with support by Tewodross M. Williams, chairperson for the Department of Fine & Performing Arts (DFPA) and professor and program coordinator for the visual communication and digital media arts program. Together, they guide students in using design as a form of environmental expression and social impact. 

The topic of Black Dandyism is a popular one among students in the Introduction to Fashion course, which will be taught by Brown in spring 2026. The second course, Visual Culture, under the Hip-Hop Studies and Visual Culture minor, is taught by Williams and co-taught by hip-hop pioneer Professor Sharon Jackson (better known as MC Sha-Rock). This course will run again in spring 2026 and is open to all upper-level students. 

Working in partnership with Dress for Success, students Diarra Young, Micayhla Robinson, Kathia Villaizan and Nyarie Blake gathered donated clothing and upcycled it into new designs that promote recycling over waste. Students combined donated and personal materials to reimagine each garment, applying a mix of sketching and sewing techniques along with styling that merges creativity with sustainability. 

“This is the third year of the program,” Brown said. “During the first two years, Howard University was the sole participant. Wanting to expand involvement, they reached out to other schools and, after being impressed by our program, invited us to join. We were thrilled to accept this incredible opportunity.” 

Brown added that the collaboration helps students connect sustainability with purposeful design.

“Our students are demonstrating that creativity and sustainability are deeply interconnected,” Brown said. “Through collaboration with peers from other universities, they’ve broadened their understanding of what it means to design with intention and impact. This experience has encouraged them to create fashion that not only showcases innovation and artistry but also reflects a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and meaningful storytelling.” 

Williams noted that Sustained: The Dandy Edition reflects DFPA’s mission to empower students through experiential learning.

“The project reflects DFPA’s commitment to creative collaboration and purposeful artistry,” Williams said. “It’s a great example of how our programs prepare students to lead with vision and artistry grounded in social responsibility.” 

Through this collaboration, Bowie State students are redefining fashion as a vehicle for change, proving that design with intention can inspire creativity and care for the planet.