Ball State Recycled Runway Course Blends Fashion, Sustainability, and Hands-On Learning
Fashion industry studies students’ upcycled creations displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport were part of a Recycled Runway showcase.
Miller College of Business fashion industry studies students transform reclaimed textiles into original garments while exploring sustainability and showcasing their work for public audiences.
Creating clothing that blends wearability and style with sustainability is by design—literally—in a fashion industry studies special topics course offered by Ball State University’s Miller College of Business.
The course, Recycled Runway, challenges students to use reclaimed materials, including donated clothing and discarded textiles, to design and make original upcycled garments that reflect fashion, flair, and sustainability. Unused materials are recycled. The course ends with a public show, also named Recycled Runway, featuring selected student designs. In 2025 and 2026, the show was held at the Indianapolis International Airport.
“Spring semester 2026 marked the second year of our Recycled Runway course,” said Audrey Robbins, assistant lecturer of fashion industry studies. “In April, we showcased nine student-created looks at the Indianapolis International Airport for Earth Day, showing runway-ready work our students designed and made using their creativity and craftsmanship.
“The students’ excitement has grown each year,” Ms. Robbins added. “That, along with watching past participants graduate and thrive, is exactly why this visibility matters.”
This Immersive Learning course stemmed from Ms. Robbins’ desire to create a hands-on fashion construction experience that’s centered on sustainability. After receiving a Dean’s Innovation Grant in 2024, she launched the course.
While providing opportunities for developing technical skills, the course encourages students to examine fashion’s environmental impact. Through research and discussion, students explore issues surrounding fast fashion, textile waste, labor practices, and recycling options available to consumers.
Upcycled garments created by fashion industry studies students were featured in a runway show held at Ball State University.
Sustainable fashion on the runway
The 2025 Recycled Runway show was held at the Indianapolis International Airport’s Civic Plaza as part of Earth Day celebrations and Indy Design Week. Thirteen student designs were featured, and the apparel remained on display for several days after the runway event.
One of those students whose creations were selected for the 2025 show was Emily Hayes, ’26.
“It was really exciting,” Ms. Hayes said. “I was challenged, and I learned a lot from the course and from the show at the airport. It felt like a huge step for me professionally.”
For the 2025 show, she wanted to create an outfit from reclaimed sleeping bags. She visited thrift stores to gather materials. Among her finds were 11 children’s sleeping bags. From there, she began sketching concepts and experimenting with construction techniques.
The project challenged her to preserve the recognizable puffer aesthetic while transforming the materials into eye-catching, wearable fashion, Ms. Hayes said.
One of her creations made with the sleeping bags, a comfortable Winnie-the-Pooh puffer vest paired with bright green puffer pants, was selected for the airport exhibition. She also designed and constructed a chic black-and-white cocktail dress from an old suit blazer. Both looks were featured in the 2025 runway show.
The runway event also raised the public profile of the fashion industry studies program, Ms. Hayes said.
“The airport exhibit reaches such a wide audience,” she added. “You have local residents, travelers from around the country, and even international visitors, walking through and seeing student work. Having the opportunity to showcase Ball State fashion in such a visible public setting means a lot because I think it helps people see what this program and its students are capable of.”
Preparing creative professionals
Recycled Runway’s impact on students extends beyond a single fashion show. With its creativity, technical skills, and professional presentation elements, this hands-on course reflects Miller College of Business’ commitment to Immersive Learning experiences that prepare students for their careers.
Emily Hayes, ’26, poses with one of her upcycled garments, which was in the 2025 Recycled Runway show at the Indianapolis International Airport.
Ms. Hayes said she was pleasantly surprised by what Ball State offers students pursuing various careers within the fashion industry.
“Fashion programs in places like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago often get the attention. But I met Audrey Robbins, visited Ball State’s campus, toured the fashion labs, and learned what its fashion industry studies program had to offer,” she said. “I knew Ball State was the place for me.”
Ms. Hayes credits the University, particularly Miller College and its fashion industry studies program, with helping her develop her design talent, technical skills, and professional confidence.
“Miller College taught me how to network, communicate, and build professional relationships,” she said. “The career fairs, networking opportunities, and business experiences really prepared me to enter the workforce. Overall, Ball State changed my life.”
Shortly after graduating in May 2026 with her bachelor’s degree in fashion industry studies from Miller College, Ms. Hayes moved to New York City and began working as an assistant designer at Dreamwear, a company that designs intimate apparel and sleepwear for brands such as Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston.
Ms. Robbins is also a Ball State graduate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in fashion design/apparel design/marketing from Miller College in 2005 and her master’s degree in family and consumer science from Teachers College in 2007.
