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Delta State’s Fashion Merchandising program recently installed a mounted exhibit of original repurposed apparel designs at the Warehouse restaurant in Cleveland, available for viewing until Nov. 30. The exhibit is called “Fashion Rethreads on the Green Carpet.”

“Students in the Fashion Merchandising program discuss sustainability and the repurposing/upcycling of items into apparel,” said Dr. Jan Haynes, professor of fashion merchandising and chair of Family & Consumer Sciences. “They have a project in one class to create an apparel design through the repurposing of items that are less conventional than just cutting a piece of new fabric.”

Haynes said that the exhibition includes some unusual and creative repurposed pieces from over several years. She has included some of her pieces along with those of current and past students.

“All of the garments would be called ‘wearable art,’ which is a category that is included in most design competitions,” she said. “While all of the garments can actually be worn, it is apparent that some have been created with more emphasis on art and less emphasis on wearable.”

She added that the purpose of the exhibit is “multi-faceted.”

“We hope to create awareness of the Fashion Merchandising program at Delta State,” said Haynes. “Students are encouraged to reach beyond just the customary objectives of fashion merchandising and to really become creative with some projects, applying the design elements and principles that they learn in their merchandising and art classes. This broadens their knowledge and skills within the broad area of fashion.”

The exhibit serves as a prelude to the upcoming fashion show “Fashion Rules. Music Rocks” show on Nov. 20, at the Bologna Performing Arts Center.

This show was developed by Keith Fulcher, executive director of Alumni-Foundation, and Pat Kerr Tigrett, a Memphis couture designer of special occasion clothing.

The theatrical fashion show will highlight Tigrett’s designs, and the goal of the show is to benefit the Delta State Fashion Merchandising Program, the Delta Music Institute, the Liza Jordan Vaughn Memorial Scholarship and the GRAMMY Museum internship.

For more information, ticket purchasing, or to check out the schedule of events, visit: http://www.deltastategiving.org/fashionrulesmusicrock.  For more information, contact Haynes at 662-846-4322.