Fashion Editor@Fashionablyyoursnola Tracee Dundas
Fashion Editor – Tracee Dundas – @fashionablyyoursnola
Photographer Credit – John Merrit – @johnmerritphotos
Creative upcycling is the new trend to create a more sustainable fashion industry.
For the first time in New Orleans, WasteExpo Conference, North America’s largest solid waste, recycling, and organics industry event, partnered with New Orleans Fashion Week, Dress for Success New Orleans, and the Environmental Research & Education Foundation for Waste360’ss TRASHION: a Recycle, Reuse, ReFashion Show.
Textiles have fast become one of the largest growing waste types and clothing represents a share of that. This topic has been on the industry’s radar for years, but recent pushes and mainstream discussions on sustainability, EPR, manufacturing, fast fashion and pandemic behaviors have truly shone a light on the growing issue.
TRASHION showcased upcycled sustainable designs from designers who breathed new life into discarded items, deadstock fabric and other creative use of materials. This was a fun, and impactful way to shine the spotlight on one method for waste diversion. Designers from the Gulf Coast Region and beyond did not disappoint, showing their creativity with materials from denim jean, woven rugs, beverage ring tops, placemats, and repurposed wedding gown! Designers could acquire their material from a variety of resources, including Dress for Success New Orleans, the nonprofit organization whose mission empowers women to achieve economic independence that benefits their families as well as the local community by receiving gently used clothing from the community, at the same time supporting the vision of keeping clothing from landfills.
The designers were scored by industry experts that judged them on creativity, originality, and craftmanship to name one Best in Show (Nick Linson), Runner Up (VanShawn Branch) and Fan Fav (Charmia Elam) selected by the audience.
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