Marist’s EFI Holds Annual Fall Flea Market
Billy Teed '26, Liv White '26, Nolan Libby '26, and Tate Clough '26 at the Ethical Fashion Initiative Flea Market Credit: Ava Battinelli ‘26
Marist College students braved the 85-degree heat, journeying behind the dining hall for The Ethical Fashion Initiatives’ (EFI) annual Fall Flea Market.
Students and vendors from the Hudson Valley area set up tables filled with hand-picked clothes, handmade jewelry, art and accessories, all ranging in price. Oscar Villasenor ’26 set the vibes as he mixed music for a crowd shopping for long-sleeved shirts and jackets to spice up their fall wardrobe.
“We like to support vendors that are Hudson Valley locals that run their own small businesses,” said Laura Kelton ’24, EFI vice president and secretary. “Our vendors need to make their own goods using sustainable sources; however, the majority of our vendors are second-hand clothing businesses that give new life to old clothing.”
EFI works to raise student’s awareness of the importance of sustainability. They encourage students to be more mindful of their fashion choices through events and initiatives like their fall flea markets.
EFI has put on this flea market for years, one of the vendors and owner of Made In Hudson, Colleen Schaffernoth, shared. “I have been vending for EFI for around 10 years, and I’ve spoken to a few classes on recycled refurbished jewelry,” said Schaffernoth.
Table at the Ethical Fashion Initiative Flea Market. Credit: Ava Battinelli ‘26
Businesses do not have to be well-established to hold a booth at the flea market. Many students bring their creations to the market to sell. “We advertise to students in our emails and on our social media to encourage them to participate in our events,” Kelton said.
EFI’s social media chair, Billy Teed ’26, held a booth with two friends, Nolan Libby ’26 and Tate Clough ’26, to sell their second-hand clothing to other students.
“All of the clothes I have for sale here I have hand-picked with my own fashionable eye,” said Teed. “These pieces have been upcycled and thrifted from either previous flea markets here on campus or things I had collected.”
Although clothing covered most of the booths, handmade art is also popular. Hayden Barham ’27 put out her own original hand-drawn artwork for students to purchase.
“My artistic style is closer to a cartoon version of realism,” Barham said. “I wanted to go for a spooky vibe with the pieces of artwork I am choosing to sell today because Halloween is coming up.”
Alongside traditional artworks, Kelli Peduzzi, owner of Pure Bliss Jewelry & Accessories, sold her handmade jewelry to students. Peduzzi specializes in using vintage materials in her jewelry and accessories. “I spend a lot of time and energy sourcing vintage materials,” said Peduzzi. “For example, these glass pearls are from the 1950s; I buy them by the pound.”
Peduzzi has been selling her jewelry at EFI’s Fall Flea Market for five years after someone in the fashion department told her about the event. She has returned each year without fail.
“Each year, it’s always a good event,” Peduzzi said. “I really enjoy the students; they’re just so wonderful here at Marist, and I love watching the fashion trends change each new year.”