Students can showcase their style and desire to help the environment at the third annual Green Fashion Show at 7:30 p.m. April 18 in Redwood Hall.

Organized by the AU Recycling Department, Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Community Care’s Green Team, this event is one aspect of Ashland University’s Green Week held April 16-21.

To participate in the fashion show, students should create outfits using materials that can be recycled. In the past, students designed clothing from a variety of items ranging from umbrellas and dryer sheets to cereal boxes, candy wrappers and trash bags.

The categories to enter the fashion show include fashion merchandising major or minor, Greek chapters, faculty/staff, residence life, sports clubs/intramurals and open class.

The judges will use specific criteria when determining the winner of the event. Essentially, they will evaluate outfits based on overall appearance and the incorporation of innovative items into the clothing. In addition, participants will be awarded with bonus points if their outfit relates to the category that they entered in the competition.

The winner, as well as the runner-up, of the fashion show will earn a prize. Greek chapters have the option of giving their money to their Greek chapter’s cause.

Besides providing participants with the opportunity to create clothing, the fashion show promotes the importance of the environment.

“We implemented the Green Fashion Show during Green Week to bring awareness to our campus community,” said Director of Building Services Peggy Kohler. “It’s an enjoyable evening that showcases many uses for ordinary items. Anyone can design an outfit with a little imagination.”

An additional element of the fashion show involves the “One Shirt Campaign.” Students can bring in an article of clothing to the event. The collected items will be given to charities around Ashland at a later time.

Another aspect of the event involves the eco art contest. Ashland Middle School and Ashland High School students can enter artwork into the contest and have their work featured during the event. The winners of the contest will be declared at the fashion show.

To enter the fashion show, students should submit their entry forms by April 4. The forms will be available in Eagle Mail and campus communications.

Besides the fashion show, many other activities are planned for Green Week. One activity includes a showing of the Your Environmental Road Trip (YERT) movie, which follows three friends who learn about green practices across the country. The movie will be held at 7 p.m. April 10 in the Ridenour Room. Students can also talk to a producer of the movie at the event.