At Lake George Jr.-Sr. High School, a lesson about fast fashion turned into an opportunity for creativity and sustainability.
As part of a Spanish 11 class project, junior Libby Pape explored the global impact of fast fashion and how individuals can help make a difference. Students first watched a video examining how massive amounts of discarded clothing and fabric are shipped and dumped in developing countries, creating environmental and economic challenges for communities around the world.
Inspired by what she learned, Libby decided to take action.
Starting with a pair of jeans that no longer fit and several neckties her father no longer wore, Libby transformed the items into a new pair of stylish, upcycled pants. By sewing the ties directly into the jeans, she created a unique design that was both fashionable and meaningful, giving old materials a second life instead of sending them to the landfill. Her work stood out not only for the creativity of the design, but also for the way she communicated the project.
After completing the clothing piece, Libby presented her project, explaining the problem of fast fashion, how discarded textiles impact developing countries, and how upcycling clothing can help reduce waste and encourage more sustainable choices.
“Libby really went above and beyond on this project,” Jennifer Cornell, Lake George Jr.-Sr. high school Spanish teacher said. “She didn’t just talk about the impact of fast fashion, she put what she learned into action.”
The assignment encouraged students to think critically about where their clothes come from and what happens to them when they are no longer worn. For Libby, the project sparked even more creativity beyond the classroom.
She shared that she recently began another upcycling project over the weekend, thrifting clothing and transforming pieces into new designs.
Her favorite part of the assignment, she said, was the presentation itself, sharing both the environmental message and her design work in Spanish. Projects like this blend language learning with real-world issues, helping students build communication skills while exploring global challenges and creative solutions.
“My favorite part was presenting the project in Spanish,” Libby said. “It was a good way to connect what we were learning about fast fashion with the language we’re studying.”