One person’s rubbish is another person’s high fashion?
At the inaugural Trashion Show, on Saturday, May 25 at the Two Rivers Gallery in Prince George, locals will transform recyclable materials into wearable art to then be displayed on the runway.
The event showcases MakerLab and Two Rivers Gallery as a creative and safe space for makers, artists, and tinkerers alike – giving them a platform to express their creativity.
Paper, plastic, broken toys, all manner of discarded items. You name it… If it’s destined for the landfill, it may just end up being part of the show.
“While the Trashion Show has enlivened the imagination of those who’ve entered, it has also made people think about how we view and treat trash and recyclable materials,” said Briana Sadler, Two Rivers Gallery’s MakerLab Coordinator who leads the development of the event.
“Taking an object and transforming it into a completely different one is a design challenge that stretches the imagination,” she said. “But the show also encourages us to question what happens to all the trash we are accumulating.”
One Trashion Show participant wrote that preparing for the event had dual opportunities for reflection.
“They felt creatively liberated tapping into a vast supply of different types of plastics without cost and at the same time were disturbed by the sheer volume of material available,” Sadler stated. “They noted that this event has encouraged a future interest in upcycling as a result.”
Sadler added that it is exciting to see the positive outcome so early in.
So, what can you expect to see on the runway?
One entrant has planned to create a 17th-century gown entirely from packing material, while another has envisioned a wave of plastic in response to the contamination of our oceans. There is even a participant who will make a Xena the Warrior costume out of chips bags.
“Perhaps it will help us question, ‘How can we stop buying things and re-use what we already have?’” Sadler proposes.
Local businesses and organizations, such as The London Day Spa, the Prince George Farmers Market Association, Vista Radio, the Coast Inn have provided great support through prize donations. In addition, Omenica Arts Centre has arranged for a two-week exhibition to the winning creations.
The Trashion Show, taking place at Two Rivers Gallery on Saturday, May 25th at 7:30 pm, promises to be a fashion/trashion extravaganza with refreshments, a silent auction, and an opportunity to support Northern makers. Tickets are $25 and are available at TwoRiversGallery.ca.
