About FAST

Fashion And Student Trends at UC Berkeley

Who We Are

We are the largest student-led fashion show in Northern California. We are also the largest fashion organization on the UC Berkeley campus.

FAST hosts two sister organizations at UCLA and Cal Poly SLO.

First founded in 2005, FAST at Cal celebrates its 19th anniversary this year. Hosting a total of 24 runways throughout the past 19 years, we are proud to present this year’s runway and share the legacy with you all.

Our Ethics

We understand that the fashion world at large is selective of a very small portion of the population and encourages conforming to these standards of beauty. In FAST, we aim to fight this culture of conformity by inviting all people to join. We value and welcome the input, not just aesthetics, of people of all gender expressions, race/ethnicities, body sizes and shapes, and disabilities. This requires that FAST members are willing to listen to and accept criticism from others.

We know that the fashion world is expensive and we try to make fashion accessible to everyone, including financially, by sharing resources and providing supplies and equipment whenever possible.

As an entirely student-run fashion organization, we recognize that many people have not previously had experience with modeling, designing, show production, photography, etc before. We offer training in every department to ensure that no one is excluded due to a lack of experience.

We recognize that our name, FAST, takes on a very different meaning in many people’s minds due to the similarity to “fast fashion”. The global fashion industry relies on the exploitation of the most impoverished people and the destruction of our environment with the goal of profit. In FAST, we aim to divest from fast fashion by sourcing our clothes for photoshoots from local second-hand shops and by providing our designers with second-hand material options.

FAST Sustainability Statement

At FAST (Fashion and Student Trends) at UC Berkeley, we recognize that fashion is not only an outlet for creativity and cultural expression but also a powerful industry with significant environmental and social impact. As student designers, creatives, and changemakers, we are committed to reimagining fashion through a lens of sustainability, equity, and responsibility.

Mindful Design

We encourage our designers to embrace slow fashion principles by creating thoughtful, durable pieces that transcend trends. Through intentional material sourcing and upcycling, we aim to reduce waste and challenge the norms of disposable fashion.

Conscious Production

Our team explores innovative ways to minimize the environmental footprint of our shows and photoshoots whether by sourcing set materials locally, setting a cap on merch production, or opting for public transportation in photoshoot productions.

Sustainability Across Departments

Sustainability is not confined to design alone. Professional Development, Beauty, Show, Videography, Marketing, and Graphic Design are all actively exploring ways to embed eco-conscious practices into their department processes. These efforts are driven by Sustainability Guidelines that include goals and regulations that work to guide and elevate the sustainability status within each sector.

Education & Empowerment

We believe sustainability starts with awareness. FAST hosts events, workshops, and tables on campus to engage the Berkeley community in critical conversations about ethical fashion, climate justice, and the future of the industry.

Community & Collaboration

We partner with campus groups, local designers, and sustainability advocates to build a more inclusive and regenerative fashion ecosystem—one that honors both people and the planet.

Transparency & Accountability

We are committed to transparency in our sustainability journey. Beginning this year, FAST will publish its first annual Sustainability Report that outlines our goals, actions, and impact, inviting our community to hold us accountable and join us in continuous improvement.