Sustainable Fashion: Alana Shuman ’27’s Journey in Eco-Friendly Design

Alana Shuman, a freshman at Lehigh University, is making waves in the fashion world. Her commitment to sustainability and her unique sense of style really set her apart.

She describes her daily outfits as earthy and elegant. Shuman’s wardrobe shows off her creativity and environmental consciousness.

From hand-sewn garments to thrifted treasures, she merges fashion with sustainability. Her distinctive attire reflects her personality and mood.

For Alana, fashion isn’t just about looking good. She’s making a statement and pushing back against the fast-fashion industry.

Alana Shuman: A Passion for Sustainable Fashion

Alana’s dedication to sustainable fashion began early. Her mom taught her to hand-sew when she was just five years old.

What started as a hobby turned into a lifelong commitment to sustainability. She’s been creating and tailoring her own clothes ever since.

Her parents, both park rangers, instilled a strong sense of environmental responsibility in her. That upbringing laid the foundation for her current practices.

She designs her own clothes, shops secondhand, and repurposes garments in creative ways. Alana’s style blends elegance and streetwear—think layers, platform shoes, and flowy pieces that let her experiment.

From Thrifted Treasures to Handmade Masterpieces

One standout part of Alana’s fashion journey is her knack for transforming thrifted items. Her entire jewelry collection is thrifted, and each piece adds a little personality to her outfits.

She even stitches her platform boots back together when they rip. It’s just another way she stays committed to sustainability.

Her handmade pieces are pretty impressive too. She hunts for fabric on sale, then designs and creates garments that are both stylish and eco-friendly.

Her creations usually have a flowy, street-style vibe. Mistakes and imperfections become part of the design. If I have a screw-up in the sewing or something that looks like it isn’t supposed to be there, that’s kind of the point of street style—to be crazy and kind of out there, she says.

Fashion as a Form of Self-Expression

For Alana, fashion goes way beyond clothing. It’s self-expression, plain and simple.

Her outfits tell stories about her personality and mood. She describes her daily wardrobe as loud and chaotic, but she never sacrifices sustainability for style.

She manages to keep her fashion choices both expressive and environmentally conscious. It’s not always easy, but she makes it work.

Experimenting with Different Aesthetics

Alana’s current style didn’t happen overnight. She spent years experimenting with different looks in high school before finding what suits her.

Now, she gravitates toward a mix of elegance and streetwear. She picks clothing that fits her body type and lets her creativity shine.

Her confidence has grown over the years. She uses her sewing skills to create garments that are truly her own.

Whether she’s designing outfits from scratch or giving thrifted items new life, Alana’s approach to fashion is innovative and sustainable.

Bridging Fashion and Sustainability at Lehigh University

At Lehigh, Alana has found a community that supports her passion. She’s an active member of the university’s Modeling Club.

She designs outfits for the annual fashion show, which really pushes her creativity. Working with limited materials forces her to think outside the box.

Collaborations and Creative Projects

Alana’s collaborations with other students have led to some wild creations. Once, she made a shirt entirely from neckties for a club member.

On another occasion, she turned a single pair of pants into a full outfit in less than a day. She made the pants into a skirt and used the extra fabric for bell sleeves.

Her friend Gabe Kagwanja, who started his own brand Sacred Star, admires her creative process. He needs to draw and map out his designs, but Alana can just visualize her creations instantly.

This intuitive approach sets her apart. It adds a unique touch to everything she makes.

The Future of Sustainable Fashion

Alana wants her commitment to sustainable fashion to reach beyond her own wardrobe. She hopes to encourage others to adopt more eco-friendly habits.

Every night, she spends at least 30 minutes sewing—creating or repurposing garments to reduce reliance on fast fashion. She hopes that with each piece she makes, the fast-fashion industry loses another customer.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Shuman’s journey really does inspire anyone who cares about fashion or the planet. She blends style with environmental consciousness in a way that proves you can look good and still make responsible choices.

By sharing her story and creations, she hopes others might start rethinking their own fashion habits. Maybe it’s time to consider how our clothing choices affect the environment—at least, that’s her hope.

If you want more details about Alana Shuman’s path and her work in sustainable fashion, check out the full article on The Brown and White.