IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa students are turning everyday materials into high fashion for a one-of-a-kind runway event later this month.
A Sustainable Events class will host its fourth annual Recycled Runway on Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m. inside the historic Old Capitol Museum.
This year’s theme—“Tea Party”—draws inspiration from 19th-century fashion, blending vintage style with modern sustainability.
The student-led fashion show will feature designs made from repurposed materials like newspapers, thrifted fabrics, and reusable textiles. Designers and models from both the university and the surrounding community will showcase original looks while highlighting the impact of sustainable fashion.
The event also ties into the museum’s temporary exhibition, Thrift Style, which explores how people throughout history have reused materials to create clothing. Organizers say that connection reflects a long tradition—from families repurposing feed sacks during the Great Depression to today’s designers transforming discarded items into wearable art.
Students involved in the event say the show is about more than fashion—it’s also about raising awareness of the environmental footprint of the clothing industry and encouraging more responsible choices.
The Recycled Runway is free and open to the public.