A model walking the runway wearing a short white dress.

KÍLÈNTÁR Sets a New Standard for Fashion Sustainability at New York Fashion Week

In Fashion Features, Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week by Victoria Roberts

The Green Show’s return to New York Fashion Week has set a new standard for integrating sustainability with high-profile cultural events. Hosted at Mastercard’s state-of-the-art 11-story, 214,000-square-foot tech hub in New York City, this year’s event showcased an innovative fusion of fashion and eco-conscious practices. Leading this charge was KÍLÈNTÁR, presenting its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, “Mama Ìbẹ́ta,” and establishing itself as a frontrunner in sustainable luxury.

KÍLÈNTÁR, founded by Michelle Adepoju, is celebrated for its dedication to the preservation of African craftsmanship. The “Mama Ìbẹ́ta” collection embodies this commitment through its use of handwoven fabrics crafted by skilled women in Burkina Faso. Each garment is made with sustainable dyes, and the collection is further enriched by contributions from Nigerian dyers and beaders.

Michelle Adepoju, Founder and Creative Director of KÍLÈNTÁR, articulated her vision for the brand: “As we continue to grow, my commitment remains steadfast: to uplift and empower the women who bring our visions to life, to maintain ethical practices in everything we do, and to create collections that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.”

Before the runway event, The Green Show featured a series of panels that approached multifaceted aspects of sustainability. Moderated by Jan Roessner, CEO of One Earth Rising, the panels were designed to explore the environmental, social, and economic impacts of sustainable practices, and included contributions from a diverse group of industry leaders. Michelle Adepoju herself participated, alongside Sergeant Johnny James Hines III from the New York City Police Department’s Youth Strategies, Peter Rose, Senior Director at Hydro Quebec, Anthony Boccardi, President of The HC Spirits, João Campos, Growth Manager at B LAB, and Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard.

Topics ranged from innovative approaches to reducing environmental footprints to strategies for fostering social equity through business practices. The discussions were pivotal in highlighting how sustainability extends beyond fashion into broader societal impacts.

Guests were also invited to an afterparty held on the rooftop terrace of Mastercard’s tech hub. The event provided a breathtaking view of the New York City skyline and featured a range of sustainable, locally-sourced dishes curated by DIG. This culinary experience was complemented by exclusive cocktails made from Aupale Vodka and Rosaluna Mezcal.

The Green Show continues to set new benchmarks for how fashion and sustainability can harmoniously coexist. The integration of thought leadership, cultural richness, and sustainable luxury demonstrated that the future of fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.

See KÍLÈNTÁR’s collection below:

Photo Credit: Geremy Dubenski.

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About Victoria Roberts

Born in Brazil, Victoria moved to the United States to pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry. She is now the Communications Manager at Fashion Mingle and resides in Los Angeles.

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Victoria Roberts

Born in Brazil, Victoria moved to the United States to pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry. She is now the Communications Manager at Fashion Mingle and resides in Los Angeles.