From Garbage to Glamour

April 12, 2015

Trashion Fashion 2015

In 2008, Traverse City West Senior High art teacher, Julie Keck, was inspired to try her hand at blending fashion, art and environmental concerns.

The result was Trashion Fashion, a nowannual and wildly popular event that invites high school students from across northern Michigan to design, create and present a recycled/alternative materials dress or outfit in a high-energy runway show.

"I had seen a similar show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I instantly knew that the event could be done at the high school level," Keck said.

Students from Mancelona, Onaway, and Benzie as well as the local Traverse City schools are invited to participate, and Trashion Fashion is an equal opportunity celebration - as long as the basic guidelines are followed, there’s no prejudging, so all of the fashions submitted will actually be showcased on the runway. "If a student creates something, it’s in the show," Keck confirmed.

The fashions are judged by three criteria: creative use of material, innovative design, and a combination of craftsmanship, construction and presentation.

With these categories in mind, Keck said it’s truly impressive what the students come up with. She’s seen the newbie designers use everything from bubble wrap and pop can tabs to wire, coffee filters, dryer sheets and light bulbs.

"There’s always a wide variety of materials," Keck said.

With those limitless options, come challenges. Sometimes, she continued, students will have a difficult time with the actual construction of their garment because they choose a material that can’t be sewn.

"So, the students then have to put extra thought into construction," Keck said. "A little hot glue always helps!" Regardless of the difficulties, there are always fashionable standouts every year.

""¦I’m reminded of a dress from last year made by Chelsey Rogers, who used 5,000 [pop can] tabs to create her very spunky metallic dress," Keck said. "There was also a dress made out of rolls of film and old film reels. The design of the dress incorporated a pattern created by rolls of film on the bodice. It was truly remarkable."

The main event is the splashy runway show.

Last year’s event included nearly 60 designs set to music and flashing lights, with local salons donating their time to do hair and makeup for the models.

When the runway show is over, refreshments are served and attendees can get a henna tattoo or buy a Trashion Fashion T-shirt while waiting for the judges to deliberate. Several awards are given, including a Viewer’s Choice award, to highlight the student designers’ ingenuity and effort.

The bigger goals of the event, Keck said, are to get the students to use their creativity, energy and talents to create amazing art, and to give back to the community. All profits from Trashion Fashion go to Traverse City charities and the students have the final say as to where the funds are directed.

"I don’t have exact numbers, but well over $10,000 has been given back to the community," Keck said. "I hope, too, that doing this gets their minds thinking about the environment and the value of recycling and upcycling."

This year’s Trashion Fashion event will take place at Traverse City West High School on April 18 at 8:00 pm. Admission to the show is $7 and can be purchased at the door. For more info, visit trashion2015.weebly.com