Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach wrapped up its 12th season—and its second eco-friendly incarnation—on Saturday night with a showing of rapper T.I.’s Akoo collection at the Funkshion tent in Lummus Park on South Beach's Ocean Drive. The semiannual alternative fashion week, which takes place in the park every March and a different Miami venue each October, kicked off on March 25 with the inaugural Green Fashion Miami showcase highlighting seven designers who use recycled and sustainable materials. The show set the tone for the four-day fashion event, which included 29 designers and a lounge-style space designed by eco-conscious consulting firm Event Visions LLC.
“A lot of fashion weeks are saying they promote green designers, and we did a totally different spin on it and said, ‘We as a fashion week will go green,’” said Sale Stojanovic, co-owner of Funkshion and its production company, 3B Productions. “Now we’re getting more designers that are green as well and partnering with companies who have green initiatives.”
Last October Funkshion began its quest to reduce the production’s carbon footprint by partnering with Clean Planet Funding, a consulting organization that helps provide financial solutions for renewable energy projects, and other green experts.
Pizza Fusion, an organic pizza company and official food sponsor, served free pizza, wraps, salads, and paninis on recycled goods in the tent’s lounge. The City of Miami Beach provided recycling bins—separated for paper, plastic, and glass—throughout the tent, encouraging guests to assist in the organization’s efforts.
The 11,500-square-foot EventStar tent, the chairs lining the runway, and the lighting and sound systems from New Image Productions have all been refurbished and reused during Funkshion for the past six years.
Guertin used an earth-toned color palette and eco-friendly rentals in the lounge area, with organic wicker and rattan furniture from PIE Studio and oversize planters from Sunrise Log Cabin Nursery decorating the space. Greenworks Inc. laid sod on top of the park’s natural sand and later returned to the nursery to be replenished and resold.
Funkshion also staged shows on a runway down the middle pond in the Setai’s courtyard, which also hosted after-parties on Thursday and Friday.
