This past week, I had the opportunity to return as one of the photographers for FABRIC Tempe’s annual EcoFashion Week—and it honestly keeps getting better.
The week kicked off with the reFABRICate fashion show, a design competition centered around one challenge: create the strongest look using recycled denim. It sounds simple, but the execution is anything but. Seeing designers of all ages, backgrounds, and aesthetics reinterpret the same material was easily one of the highlights. I had experience shooting last year’s show, but this year felt different—more refined, more confident. There were returning designers I recognized, which made it even more rewarding to document their growth and evolution. Being able to capture that kind of progression is why I keep coming back to spaces like this.
If you’re unfamiliar, FABRIC Tempe isn’t just an event host—it’s a full-on fashion incubator based in Tempe that’s focused on sustainability, innovation, and accessibility in design. Their mission goes way beyond runway shows. They’re actively building infrastructure for emerging designers—mentorship, resources, and a platform to actually be seen. That intention is felt in every detail of EcoFashion Week. Nothing about it feels gatekept or exclusive in the traditional fashion sense. It’s open, collaborative, and genuinely supportive of anyone willing to put in the work.
That energy carries directly into the people behind it. Founder Angela Johnson has built something that feels both structured and welcoming—no easy balance. You can tell there’s real care put into making this space work for creatives across disciplines, not just fashion designers. As someone coming from a photography and design background, that inclusivity matters. It creates room to experiment, fail, grow, and actually belong.
The second event I covered was FABRIC’s 10-year anniversary celebration—and this one stood out for a completely different reason.
The theme was “bedtime story,” which could’ve easily leaned gimmicky, but instead it turned into one of the most thoughtful brand storytelling experiences I’ve seen. Guests showed up in pajamas, lounging throughout the space while the story of FABRIC unfolded—from its early struggles to its defining wins and everything in between. It was raw, honest, and intentionally vulnerable. Not many brands are willing to pull back the curtain like that.
The night wrapped with a short runway presentation featuring loungewear from See You Doll, which tied perfectly into the theme. It felt cohesive without trying too hard—something a lot of shows miss.
These were the only two events I had time to attend this year, but even in that limited window, it was clear how meaningful this week is—not just for FABRIC, but for the entire creative community around it.
And yeah, let’s be real—this isn’t New York Fashion Week. But that’s kind of the point.
Getting your foot in the door in any creative industry is uphill. No one starts at the top. Spaces like this are where you build—your portfolio, your confidence, your eye. I’m noticeably more comfortable shooting runway and live events now because I’ve put in the reps at shows like these, at every level.
If you’re an up-and-coming photographer, stop waiting for the “big break” to validate you. Reach out to smaller shows. Local events. Independent designers. Say yes, shoot often, and figure it out as you go. That’s where the real growth happens.
There’s room in this industry. But you have to actually step into it.
Keep shooting. Keep building.
And if you want to see how this week looked through my lens—check out the galleries below.
https://cullenslensphotography.pixieset.com/refabricate
https://cullenslensphotography.pixieset.com/fabric10yearanniversarycelebration
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