Grade A for Effort and Ecological Spirit

Earlier this year, on my way back home, I ran across a garment display titled Recycled Runway, at the Indianapolis Airport — “runway”, get it?

The theme was celebrating sustainable fashion during Earth month (April) by using donated garments, which were taken apart and sewn together into something new.

Wait, what?? What are the chances of a fashion display in an airport? Well, according to my limited research, this event happens each year at the Indy Airport. I will be watching for a new display on April 22, 2027. The fashion pieces exhibited were created by fashion industry students at Ball State University.

A few travelers stopped by, looked at the display and moved on. Me? I spent some time looking (not touching – it was in an enclosure anyway) and noting each piece in detail — until it was boarding time. Some details were noticed after I had snapped the photos! Missed the backs of the designs, though. That’s what we sewing people do. The excitement is always in the detail of design and construction, even if it’s a bad detail. “Bad” is always subjective, I think.

I noticed a couple that were not excessively deconstructed, which was okay with me if it serves the design purpose. Why deconstruct for the sake of deconstructing, right?

Design wise, most of the garments are not something I would wear, but that is my opinion; as well, this is a design exercise. These assignment projects deserve to be part of the display, in my non-professorial opinion. Think of the encouragement quotient for these students. Mainly, it is a statement for saving our earth from destructive forces.

Take a look in no particular order, with thanks and credit to the students, Ball State University and Indianapolis Airport.

This outfit keeps me guessing about it’s original form; it gives the impression that there was minimal deconstruction. But there are no buttonholes on the placket. Note the frog closures — which are unusual on a shirt placket. I wish I’d seen the back.
The obvious jean deconstruction is notable. Looks like the waistband was separated from a pair of jeans, but with pockets still attached and turned upside down, combined with a bandana print to form a halter top or a bra-ish top. The skirt is obviously chopped off at the crotch level to form a micro-mini with a frayed hem; polka dot ruffle added to lengthen it and keep it just this side of decent. Note that the outfit makes a statement — is the hand sewing on purpose to give it a primitive look?
Pants have the look of a re-constructed garment, but the jacket with scraps covering it looks like a costume from a dystopian world. No matter; as I said in the title, A for effort.
Peculiarly, I like this piece, despite the purposefully raggedy look. Looking closely, it is held together on the mannequin’s right shoulder with a safety pin. Maybe to get a dystopian-ish look? Or did the designer run out of time? Also, I do not see anything connecting the yellow neck piece to the dress at center front — it’s probably meant to fly free.
Menswear cannot be left behind, folks. Not too much deconstruction, except removal of sleeves, raising of pants hem to knee length. The work here seems to be in binding the now-sleeveless jacket and airplane motifs worked out in running stitch and back stitch. I can see some subversive-minded attendee at a menswear fashion week wear this on the street.
The old dad’s-ties-as-a-halter-top aesthetic. The jeans seem un- deconstructed at first but on closer inspection, there is a wedge of tie fabric at the hem on the mannequin’s right leg.
Quilters, rejoice! This donated quilt got a brand new, on-trend life. Actually, I’d wear the top in the winter.
I love this! Why? If you look at the shape of the top it is totally “fashion”. It’s a halter top in one side and a cape on the other. On closer inspection, the halter side closure is a buckle at the mannequin’s neck. I also like the use of square scraps arranged to create a star shape —- outlined in what looks like sequins?
This one totally deserves the A for Effort grade. i do not see anything but a costume on a dystopian movie set. That’s okay — the designer followed the brief of taking apart and re-constructing.

So, friends, I probably will not be at the Indy Airport in April 2027 but will try to catch this exhibit somewhere on the airport’s website, or the college website.

2 thoughts on “Grade A for Effort and Ecological Spirit”

  1. Thoroughly enjoyed the pics and your comments. HCC here in Houston annually hosts a “Flash & Trash” fashion show with garments created by their fashion department students. It is very enjoyable and unique. Most garments have more eye appeal than those in the pics. I had one instructor ask if I would sell my piece. Any non-traditional item(s) can be used, fabric like or not,.

    Thanks for the posting.

    Lenora Glover ________________________________

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    1. Lenora, thank you for reading my words. I’d love to see your creation for the Flash and Trash show! And… they wanted to buy it! If you don’t mind, you can send me a picture through the contact page on this blog.

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