Putting their fashion skills to the test, the Aggie Fashion Club at New Mexico State University is getting ready to show up and show out once again this year for the 2023 Sustainable Fashion Show.  

The event will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Corbett Center Student Union Aggie Lounge.  

This will be the third year the club has organized the fashion show, and the mission to upcycle, recycle, and create sustainability remains the same. Some of the upcycled fashion work includes designs made from paper, bubble wrap, product labels, retail bags, tin cans, vintage fabrics, and trash bags.  

“It is a great opportunity to have students engaged in the Upcycle Fashion Show at NMSU because it allows students to gain the experience of creating a garment,” said Lizette Arnas, adjunct professor in design. “It also allows them to gain experience of coordinating a big event. This event encourages participants to be inspired and motivated to their creativity.”  

While making a positive environmental difference and educating the public about sustainability, the show’s theme this year, “Aggie Avant Garde,” will highlight different inspirations focusing on NMSU’s culture and identity.  

“Students or participants to the fashion show choose a department of the university to inspire their look or design, and still keep the concept of upcycling for students,” Arnas explained. “This gives creativity and freedom to participants.”  

Another expectation for this year's fashion show is that participants will have the opportunity to submit a garment from a past class that they have completed to showcase on the day of the fashion show. 

Arnas added that many of the students are thrilled to take part in this fashion show because it allows them to test out what they have learned through the program to show off their skills in this special event.  

The event is free to the public and is expected to run for one hour with about 20 sustainable designs and 6 to 8 apparel designs from the students' design courses. For more information, contact Kelly Cleary Coffeen at kcoffeen@nmsu.edu.