We are once again looking to connect with the community to inspire ways in which we can turn what we view as waste into beautiful fashion. All over the world we see the examples of over consumption and the effect it has had on our planet. We aim to put a spotlight on this crisis.
At the Columbia Design League’s annual Runaway Runway design competition and recycled fashion show, entries competed for awards from the judging panel and audience.
Doors open 6:30
Show time 7:00 - 9:30pm
After party at Ambrosia Tavern - The Loft 10pm*
*For Sponsors and VIP Ticket Holders
General Admission Ticket $35/$28 for CDL Members ( cash bar )
VIP Ticket $100/$80 for CDL Members ( Free Bar, Heavy Hors d'oeuvres, after party access, one free admission movie ticket to the Nickelodeon Theater )
Harriett Green, visual arts consultant and former visual arts director for the South Carolina Arts Commission, will serve as host and emcee for the show. DJ Maya Wang will provide music.
This year judges will be:
Juliette Muller is a St. Matthews native and seasoned business executive who blends corporate expertise with a passion for the arts. Holding an MBA and serving as a Senior Financial Analyst at Starbucks, she leverages her strategic background as the CEO of Columbia Fashion Week, the founder of the nonprofit COLAFW Alliance, and Editor-in-Chief of The COLAFW Experience Magazine. Dedicated to empowering creative talent through mentorship and sustainable growth, Juliette joins the judging panel with a sharp eye for branding, craftsmanship, and market readiness, eager to celebrate designers who masterfully translate their unique visions into professional runway experiences.
Donna Watts is an instructor at the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, where she has taught across the Department of Retailing and the Department of Integrated Information Technology since 2009. A Winthrop University alumna with an MS in textiles and clothing, she is a certified diamontologist and a pioneer in classroom website development. Her extensive professional background spans eight years in retail management and various leadership roles in construction, advertising, and marketing. Beyond her academic contributions and current work co-authoring The Fundamentals of Digital Fashion Marketing, Watts is a dedicated community advocate who serves on the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Initiatives and volunteers with organizations like Harvest Hope Food Bank.
Donald Pollard is an entrepreneur, educator, and strategist who operates at the intersection of innovation, culture, and global commerce. With over 20 years of experience collaborating with luxury institutions like Bergdorf Goodman and Michael Kors, he now serves as a full-time faculty member at the University of South Carolina’s Department of Retailing. A Penn State alumnus with an MBA from LIM College, Donald is the Founder and Creative Director of DONN STERLING Group LLC and a dedicated mentor who co-founded Impact Mentors to support minority entrepreneurs. From his 2017 TEDx stage to lecturing at institutions like FIT and Alabama A&M, his career is defined by building meaningful bridges between academic rigor and industry execution, helping the next generation of founders translate vision into global impact.
Thanks to all our sponsors who are participating in the relaunch of Runaway Runway
VIP SPONSORS
Abacus Planning Group
Quackenbush Architects + Planners
HAUTE COUTURE SPONSOR
The Garvin Group
READY TO WEAR SPONSOR PMC Commercial Interiors
SPONSORS
TAG Academy
Izms of Art LLC
A Little Happy
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Curated Hospitality Group
Curated Wine Group
The Nick
Olive Candle and Soap Co.
Ambrosia Tavern
