About Us

Who We Are: The Runway Recycled Journey

Runway Recycled began with a vision: To reduce fashion waste and create opportunities for the working poor. Was started as a small initiative has grown into a movement, transforming communities through sustainable fashion and education.

Our Mission

To transform fashion waste into opportunities through sustainability, education, and empowerment for underserved communities beyond the main fashion hubs.

Our Vision

A future where fashion benefits people, the planet, and underserved communities.

Our Core Values

Sustainability, Empowerment, Innovation, & Community

The Birth of Runway Recycled

Over 13 years ago, on the Big Island of Hawaii, I discovered my passion for sustainable fashion. I dreamed of launching a boutique that showcased eco-chic, curated styles. This dream resurfaced as I waited backstage for my brief moment on the runway, modeling a designer’s look. That fleeting moment of showcasing a piece to potential buyers felt powerful—like I was helping that item find a home. But then I wondered: what happens to the other unsold pieces after they make their rounds in fashion shows? I knew some got auctioned off, but many were left in closets, basements, garages, or storage units, eventually facing disposal, which could mean landfill waste, pollution of waterways, or even air pollution from burning.

Dr. Bonita “Bo” Best, Founder While sitting at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island, she was strategizing on how to realize her dream of becoming a boutique owner.

April 2023 Grand Opening

This awareness became the seed for Runway Recycled Inc., an alternative solution for the fashion industry. We aim to give these unique fashion pieces a sustainable life beyond the runway, helping to make stylish, eco-conscious fashion accessible to a broader community, particularly those beyond traditional fashion hubs.

Runway Recycled is more than a boutique; it’s a movement. We introduce local designers to their communities, creating connections between makers and buyers, and we rally behind sustainable designers, striving to grow this community and reshape the fashion industry. Our goal is to build an industry with eco-friendly, conscious designers who make significant impacts.

Runway Recycled officially launched in 2022, followed by our flagship boutique in 2023 at Moorestown Mall, Unit 1445. In 2024, we continued to evolve, introducing Boutique on Wheels (BOW), the Garment Library, and the Black Fashion Week Experience (BFW EXP). We also rebranded our in-store fashion shows as Eco-Chic Trunk Shows and expanded our 12-week Sustainable Designer Apprenticeship Program. Through our website, runwayrecycled.shop, we aim to reach eco-conscious fashionistas beyond our physical stores, with plans to expand into more communities as demand grows.

Timeline of a Dream

May 2024 Grand Opening at Moorestown Mall

Board Members

Meet Our Founder

Dr. Bonita “Bo” Best, Founder.

Runway Recycled with a vision to turn waste into opportunity. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, she is passionate about creating sustainable solutions and inspiring community involvement.