Northwest hosting fashion show promoting sustainability, fast fashion awareness

Northwest Missouri State University will host a fashion show this month highlighting clothing made from repurposed materials.

The Green Runway: Upcycled and Recycled Fashion Show will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.

Click this link to learn more about the Green Runway: Upcycled and Recycled Fashion Show.

The event aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the global fast fashion industry. The competition challenges participants to design and create original outfits using thrifted, reused, repurposed, natural or other non-traditional materials.

"We hope using upcycled or recycled materials to create an outfit for the Green Runway Fashion Show will be a fun way to raise awareness about the sustainability issues in fashion," Tim Hill, sustainability coordinator at Northwest, said. "Also, Northwest has a robust recycling program, so the event is an opportunity to talk about recycling on campus."

Participants will compete in two categories. Outfits in the upcycled fashion category must transform existing garments or textiles into a new design through significant alteration, reconstruction or embellishment. Outfits in the recycled fashion category must primarily incorporate recycled, salvaged, natural or other non-traditional materials not typically used in garment production, such as items commonly found in recycling bins, trash cans or nature.

"Some of the designers are using recycled or unconventional materials such as plastic bags, cardboard, cans, newspapers, magazines, leaves, and linens or bedding," Hill said. "Although these outfits may not be practical for wearing to class or work, we hope creating them will spark thoughts about donating usable clothing and other items rather than throwing them away. Additionally, thrifting is also very popular among students, and this provides a way to extend the lifespan of items while saving financial resources."

Winners of the upcycled, recycled and audience choice categories will receive $100 gift cards and have their outfits featured in the Olive DeLuce Art Gallery, Oct. 16 through 31. They also will appear in Northwest's Homecoming parade on Oct. 31.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and the Center for Engagement and Community Connection with support from the Northwest Recycling Center and the Office of the Provost.