Runaway Runway: Revived. Refreshed. Reconstructed.

Name: Runaway Runway: Revived. Refreshed. Reconstructed.
Start: 2026-04-18T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-18T21:30:00-04:00
Location: 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC, United States, South Carolina 29201

Schedule

Sat Apr 18 2026 at 07:00 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC, United States, South Carolina 29201 | Columbia, SC

Doors at 6:30 p.m. | Show 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Columbia’s most fashionable and sustainable event is back, reimagined. Columbia Design League presents Runaway Runway, returning to inspire ways in which so-called waste can be turned into beautiful fashion. All over the world we see examples of overconsumption and the effect it has on the planet, and the CDL aims to put a spotlight on this crisis. Hosted by Harriett Green, visual arts consultant and former visual arts director for the South Carolina Arts Commission (1993–2021). Music provided by Maya Wang.
~ General admission: $35 / $28 for CDL members. Cash bar.
~ VIP tickets: $100 / $80 for CDL members. VIP ticket includes open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, after-party access, and swag bags.
2026 Judges:
~ Donna Watts, professor of sustainability in fashion & retail at the University of South Carolina
~ Donald Pollard Jr., professor at the University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
~ Juliette Muller, owner and CEO of Columbia Fashion Week
Sponsors: Quackenbush Architects + Planners, The Garvin Design Group, PMC Commercial Interiors, TAG Academy, Izms of Art, Curated Hospitality Group, The Nick, Olive Candles and Soap Co., Curated Wine Group, and Ambrosia Tavern.
Can we assist you with accommodations for accessibility during your visit? Please let us know at 803-799-2810 or [email protected].
Host:
Harriett Green was the visual arts director of the S.C. Arts Commission from 1993 to 2021. From 1980 to 1988, she was the registrar and assistant curator at the Columbia Museum of Art. Between those roles and her current position as an independent art consultant, Green has curated or co-curated many exhibitions in South Carolina and beyond. Green currently serves on the advisory committee for 701 Center for Contemporary Art, which she co-founded in 2008. She is a member of the board of trustees for the Columbia Music Festival Association and the American Craft Council and recently rotated off the board of Central Carolina Community Foundation. Her current project includes the First Peoples Project: Art of the Native South, a celebration of Indigenous craft in the 12 Southeastern states as part of ArtFields’ offering for the semiquincentennial initiative Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026.
Judges:
Juliette Muller is a business executive, fashion leader, and community advocate dedicated to elevating creative talent and building sustainable platforms for growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Winthrop University and an MBA from Webster University. She is a senior financial analyst at Starbucks, where she supports financial strategy, forecasting, and business performance for one of the world’s most recognized brands. Muller is also the owner and CEO of Columbia Fashion Week, a platform producing year-round fashion experiences that uplift emerging designers, models, and creatives while positioning Columbia as a growing fashion destination. As a Runaway Runway judge, she brings a sharp eye for presentation, branding, craftsmanship, and overall market readiness.
Donald Pollard is an entrepreneur, educator, and strategic thinker working at the intersection of innovation, culture, and global commerce. With more than 20 years of experience across New York, London, and Milan, he has collaborated with leading luxury institutions including The Neiman Marcus Group, Bergdorf Goodman, ISAIA, and Michael Kors. Pollard earned his MBA in fashion management and entrepreneurship from LIM College in 2013, focusing on cultural influence, innovation, product development, supply chain, and global finance. He is the founder and creative director of DONN STERLING Group LLC, a private-label menswear brand rooted in heritage and innovation. He currently teaches full-time in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina, where he integrates industry experience with academic rigor.
Donna Watts has been an instructor in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina since 2009 and has taught 11 different courses in both the Department of Retailing and the Department of Integrated Information Technology. She received a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising and a Master of Science in textiles, clothing, and interior design from Winthrop University. She is certified in diamontology and WiX and was one of the first instructors worldwide to teach WiX website development in the classroom. Prior to teaching, she worked in the retail industry for eight years in various capacities, including managing jewelry stores for a large corporation. Watts is currently co-authoring Bloomsbury’s The Fundamentals of Digital Fashion Marketing (2nd ed.).
Runaway Runway / After Party DJ:
Maya Wang is a DJ, producer, and musician based in Columbia. With a love for all things groovy, she curates sets that span genres and generations, from disco, funk, city pop, soul, house, and garage to electro, hardgroove, and the occasional break. Wang’s unique style, talent for mixing, and magnetic presence have made her a fixture at art and fashion events, mixed-bill shows, and late-night raves. Her art and sound are influenced by an eclectic blend of music, fashion, art, video games, and Asian pop culture.