Trashion Fashion

Bringing recycled art to the fashion scene, the Western Washington industrial design program put on a preview runway show on the third floor of the Ross Engineering Building last Wednesday. Here are shots from the show:

The parade of outfits. Photo credit: Becky Tachihara

Daniel Galan as supervillain. Photo credit: Becky Tachihara

The idea behind the project: raise recycled matter to the hautest of haute couture, and you demonstrate to the masses that trash is trendy. Let the major designers catch on, and from there the main clothing chains, and you have a revolution in garb. Ultimately people will choose to surround themselves and express themselves through items that have seen more than one use.

It's the impetus we've been waiting for to extend product lifetimes in an industry marked by seasonal switchovers. It could make resale venues such as antique stores and thrift markets more highly frequented. Marketers: watch out for this new opportunity in years ahead.

The outfits will feature in the Bellingham Trash Fashion Show, hosted by the RE Store, on Saturday, April 23rd, 7pm and 9:30pm, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. Come see what it's all about.

My tribal trash bag bellydance outfit, as modeled by my fantastic roomie, Gabby Deede.