Local Designer brings her "TRASH" to NYC Fashion Show

What do you see when you look in your recycle bin? Probably not a couture gown.

However, Westerly, RI designer Pamela Bartlett transformed more than 5000 aluminum can pull tabs and hundreds of plastic grocery store bags into a wedding gown that has been selected for the 2015 NYC Trashion Fashion Show taking place at the Queens Botanical Garden, in Flushing, NY on June 21st.

The annual New York Trashion Fashion Show makes a global impact through local fashion as models stroll a runway showcasing designs made of recycled materials that would have otherwise been tossed into landfills. The show strives to inspire people to be more creative in how they deal with discarded items and more aware about recycling, reusing and reducing waste.

“We want to blend environmental awareness and the arts and have a cool, creative way to rethink waste,” said Amy Merli, the founder of the show, which debuted in Hartford, CT in 2011 and now also takes place in NY, DC and Toronto. All of the couture designs at these shows are made completely of recycled trash.

Ms. Bartlett’s design was selected for the show after being discovered through social media outlets linked to her local wedding planning website and blog, WesterlyWeddings.com. As a member of the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, she created the gown for this year’s 2nd Annual Earth Day Trashion Fashion event at the Granite Theater in Westerly, RI. The gown has since been displayed in the downtown storefront of Melissa Ashley Brides.

“The response has been overwhelming,” said Ms. Bartlett regarding the news of her acceptance to the show. “I have always had a passion for fashion, however I never dreamed I’d be seeing my designs in a New York Fashion Show. It’s an incredible honor!”

Trashion Fashion New York takes place at 1pm on Sunday June 21st, 2015 at the Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing, NY. Entry to the show is free with garden admission ($8). To learn more about the show visit their website at: http://www.trashionfashionshow.com

Pamela Bartlett is the owner and creator of WesterlyWeddings.com, a wedding planning website that focuses exclusively on showcasing Westerly, RI as a premiere wedding and special event destination. She also creates custom couture designs from recycled waste materials by special request. Contact Pamela at (860) 861-2520 or email Pamela@westerlyweddings.com For more information visit her website at http://www.westerlyweddings.com