Trashy Fashion Show Features Niles West and Niles North High School Students

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) hosted an Educational Expo and its eighth Trashy Fashion Show on Saturday, November 15, 2014, in recognition of America Recycles Day. This inspirational community-based program showcased 34 outfits, representing over 50 designers from a variety of member communities to include: Arlington Heights, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Palatine, and Skokie.

Ninety percent of each outfit was made with items destined for the trash can - or recycling bin. This year’s theme, “My Solution to Pollution” raised awareness about how to be a better steward of our Earth, while showing that repurposing materials can be fun. Designs were made from materials such as: table clothes; sheets; curtains; bottle caps; aluminum cans; shopping bags; textile and paint samples; stained clothing; news/wrapping/tissue papers; wine bottle nets; blankets; and more.

“This unique show gives individuals of any age a platform to create high-quality, one-of-a-kind works of wearable art, which is a testament to being resourceful and respectful by utilizing existing resources rather than buying new products,” states Mary Allen, SWANCC Recycling and Education Director.

Residents strolled around the Expo to talk to representatives from environmental organizations and businesses for reusing or processing special materials, such as pharmaceuticals, sharps, shredded documents, holiday lights, salvaged resources from homes, bikes and textiles. Matt Ryan and Lali Watt with The Talking Farm in Skokie, gave a presentation in the morning about the benefits of reducing organic materials from the landfill through composting and the benefits of growing and buying food locally. The Kids Corner offered children a variety of crafts, games and a special reading of “Recycling with Arnie and Bing” from local author Ann Wagner. The Expo offered something for everyone who attended.

For other SWANCC programs and resources, visit swancc.org.

Captions:

1. Group of “trashy” designs by Niles North High School students, sponsored by Family & Consumer Science Teacher Julie Lear.
2. Group of “trashy” designs by Niles West High School students, sponsored by Family & Consumer Science Teacher Kay Coughlin.
3. Grand finale of SWANCC’s 2014 Trashy Fashion Show with 34 designs.
4. Designer – Ennana Maikai, Niles North High School
   Far Out – Landfill Waste
   Model 28 – Ennana Maikai
   This colorful Hawaiian beach dress made from laminate and tiles samples, was designed and modeled by Ennana, to remind us of better weather to come – in about 6 months!
   Her solution to reducing landfill waste is to view left over materials as a “resource” instead of “garbage” – and create art or use them for another purpose.
5. Designer – Jasmiat Oyoloia, Niles West High School
   The Pink Amazon – Support of The World Life Federation
   Model 9 – Katie Filan
   The pink tulle skirt represents the pureness of an ocean and “pink dolphins” also known as the Amazon River dolphins. The dark bodice in contrast, shows how the water can change colors when polluted.
6. Designer – Inga Mazur, Niles North High School
   Roar – Cycle – Aluminum Can Recycling
   Model 25 – Inga Mazur
   This 1902’s inspired flapper dress signifies a time in history where woman sported shorter hair styles, wore make up and enjoyed closer body contact while dancing. Inga used window curtains and aluminum cans to create a dress that mirrored this time period that celebrated beauty, movement and comfort, while embracing youthfulness and fun.
7. Designer – Andrew Gonzalez, Niles West High School
   Little Black Straw Dress – Plastic Pollution Awareness
   Model - Sara Dym
   This 1920’s inspired flapper dress was made by sewing straws attached by fishing wire on to an old dress to create fringe and movement.