Lauren Woods in Birdcages & Butterflies by Sheila Ferguson of Jealousy Jane. Photo by Lucas Lim/Arclight Collective
BY SARA SHEIKH
Now in its ninth year, the Trashion Refashion Runway Show brings together clothing designers, models, and pretty much anyone interested in giving new life to old clothes and diverting materials from the landfill.
“This is all about bringing together everyone who wants to be included,” says Gail Hale, a seven-time participant and the designer of this year’s backdrop, which will be made from discarded nylon webbing. “We celebrate the diversity within our community and come together with others with similar values. It’s how we discover our tribe.”
Gail’s partner, Stephen Hale, is managing this year’s show. Though this is Stephen’s first year managing the event, he has participated as a model for five years. “I am the vehicle of artistic expression,” Stephen says.
The deadline for design entries is March 1. Models of all sizes and genders are also needed, and candidates are encouraged to complete an application by mid-March. The show itself takes place at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Sunday, April 8, at 7 p.m.
Designs for the show are created in two ways, both focused on keeping materials out of landfills. The “trashion” aspect of the show features designs made from items never intended to be used for clothing, like cardboard boxes or gardening materials. The “refashion” angle focuses on repurposing existing garments to create something totally different—say, turning neckties into a dress.
Entertainment will be provided by Fiddle ’n’ Feet, a duo focusing on traditional music from North American and Celtic countries. Getting into the spirit of the event, they plan to repurpose old wristbands and tees from the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival to wear onstage.
Trashion Refashion is an annual fundraiser for the Center for Sustainable Living’s ongoing Discardia project. Discardia serves to divert material from landfills by mending, refitting, or updating existing clothing, bags, furniture, and more. Open to the public, Discardia’s monthly mending day takes place on the second Saturday of every month from noon until 4 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library.
To learn more about the show, how to enter a design, or how to be a model, visit bloomingtontrashion.org. For ticket information, visit the Buskirk-Chumley box office or bctboxoffice.org.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Want to see what happens behind the scenes at Trashion Refashion? Be sure to check out this short documentary video.
CHECK OUT THIS PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE 2017 TRASHION REFASHION RUNWAY SHOW. (Click on the photo below to start the slideshow. Use the on-screen arrows or the arrows on your keyboard to navigate forward and backward.) PHOTOS BY LUCAS LIM/ARCLIGHT COLLECTIVE
