Student designers at New Mexico State University are turning recycled materials into runway-ready looks as part of this year’s Aggie Fashion Week, highlighting creativity, sustainability and personal expression through original designs.
The weeklong celebration will culminate in the annual Sustainable Fashion Show at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in Aggie Lounge at Corbett Center Student Union. The free, public event will feature student-designed collections inspired by this year’s theme, “Reimagine,” with garments created from repurposed and recycled materials.
The week will open with a kickoff event at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, featuring guest speaker Nevena Christi, owner of Rocketbuster Boots. Christi, whose custom designs have been worn by artists like Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Ángela Aguilar, will share insights into her design career and the craftsmanship behind handcrafted western footwear.
“Aggie Fashion Week continues to demonstrate that sustainability can be both thoughtful and aesthetically compelling,” said Insook Ahn, associate professor in the Fashion Merchandising and Design program. “It has been very rewarding to see students embrace sustainability and translate it into creative, wearable designs. They are not only learning technical skills but also developing a deeper awareness of responsible design practices.”
Hosted by the NMSU Fashion Club and Kelley Coffeen’s Fashion Promotion students, Aggie Fashion Week will feature a series of events and activities that include an Aggie Thrift x Depop pop-up shop and a Flowers and Fashion Earth Day celebration.
“We strive to highlight student creativity, sustainability and industry engagement through experiential learning,” said Coffeen, associate professor in Fashion Merchandising and Design and Fashion Promotion.
Student designers said the “Reimagine” theme encouraged creative freedom and personal expression.
“The theme we selected this year was intended to give students as much freedom as possible to create their designs,” said Becca Strong, president of the NMSU Fashion Club. “The urge to create something ‘new’ can contribute to overconsumption, but it can also be redirected in ways that support sustainability.”
Strong added that Christi’s involvement reflects the program’s commitment to connecting students with industry leaders. This is a teaching philosophy Coffeen pursues through student internships and fashion study tours.
“Nevena has a long history of supporting our students through education and internship opportunities,” Strong said. “Her experience and willingness to support young artists make her an incredible example for our students as they begin their careers.”
For more information about Aggie Fashion Week events, visit the NMSU Fashion program’s Instagram page at @nmsufashion or contact Strong at beccats@nmsu.edu, Ahn at iahn@nmsu.edu or Coffeen at kcoffeen@nmsu.edu.