Students Showcase First-Ever Upcycled Fashion Show

May 7, 2025 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University’s Fashion Merchandising program brought new life to old fabric in its inaugural sustainable fashion show, “In the Beginning,” held Monday, April 14, at the university’s campus fountain. Presented by the Belhaven University Fashion Association (BUFA), the event was inspired by Genesis chapter 1 and highlighted student designs created entirely from upcycled materials.

“This is Belhaven University’s first sustainable fashion show,” said Dr. Emily Blalock, associate professor of business and director of the fashion merchandising program. “All the garments on the runway were upcycled. We wanted to focus on the waste and excess of fast fashion and how we can be better stewards of our resources.”

Each garment featured in the runway show was handcrafted by students using pre-loved fabrics—gifted or thrifted—that were cut, sewn, dyed, embroidered, and reimagined into new fashion pieces. Many students completed their pieces without the use of sewing machines, opting instead to hand-stitch their garments with remarkable care and attention to detail.

The show not only highlighted students’ talent but also served as an educational platform for raising awareness about fashion waste. According to Dr. Blalock, the average American throws away 86 pounds of textiles each year—much of it ending up in landfills.

“The fashion industry, as a whole, is not sustainable,” she said. “There are sustainable aspects—like using regenerative fibers or recycling materials—but we also have to consider how clothes are made, who makes them, how far they travel, and the environmental cost of production.”

Dr. Blalock emphasized the importance of making intentional choices. “Spend more, buy less. And thrift. Recycling clothes is one of the easiest and most impactful steps we can take,” she added.

Rooted in both faith and creativity, “In the Beginning” invited students from all academic backgrounds to engage with fashion as a meaningful form of expression and stewardship. “God is the ultimate Creator,” Blalock said. “And we believe everyone has the ability to create. This show was a way for students to explore that creativity while learning how to make responsible choices as future leaders in the industry.”