Trash to Treasure
Student designers wanted for recycled fashion show
Students will be able to show off their creative side, learn about recycling first hand and even have the chance to win some money if they take part in this year’s Recycle Saline Re-fashion Bash.
“(The Re-fashion Bash) is a recycled fashion show for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to show off their designs made of recycled materials,” said Tiffany Dunn, director of Recycle Saline.
This will be the sixth year for the popular event.
The show is put on in part by the Youth Environmental Ambassadors, known as YEA! Team. YEA! members are students in area schools who take part in recycling, often leading their school’s recycling program. The money raised by the Re-fashion Bash will also go to the YEA! Team.
Dunn said she is grateful for the sponsors who help make Re-fashion Bash happen each year, including Benton Beauty Academy which does the hair and makeup for the models.
Dunn said this year’s competition is open to any K-12 student, even if they do not live in the county. There are usually 75 to 100 participants, including designers and models. Some students work in groups to create their design. Students who want to design an outfit, but not model it themselves, can ask another student to act as their model for the show.
“It is a fun learning experience,” Dunn said.
The students use different materials and see how they can be reused. She said it helps them think about recycling and reusing items.
She said it is fun because students get to take part in a fashion show with other students. They get a special moment.
This year’s theme is “Around the World.” Dunn said students can create their designs based on different countries and cultures, even fashions from the past.
She sees the theme as a way to bring people together.
The designs must include at least two of the listed mandatory items — aluminum, cardboard, paper, plastic
or fabric. The design must be at least 80 percent recycled materials. No more than 20 percent can be new. Fabric used must be repurposed.
There is no cost for students to take part in the show.
Because of the pandemic, they will not be able to go to schools to do the mentoring as they did in previous years. Instead, they will set up Zoom calls to do mentoring for those who want help with the outfits.
The divisions are kindergarten through fourth, fifth through eighth and ninth through 12th grades.
First, second and third place will be awarded for each division. First place wins $500. Second place wins $300. Third place wins $100.
This year, Dunn said Recycle Saline will use the entire Benton Event Center to allow for social distancing. Attendance will be limited and masks will be required.
Along with the fashion show, Recycle Saline will once again hold its recycled art competition. Area schools will hold their own school level competition. The first place winners from each school will advance to Recycle Saline’s contest. Each first place winner will get two tickets to the fashion show. Dunn encourages them to attend because the crowd will vote on the overall winner, who will be announced at the start of the show.
The link to apply and the rules are on the Re-fashion Bash Facebook event and the Recycle Saline website, www. recyclesaline.org.
The application deadline is Friday.
Re-fashion Bash starts at 6 p.m. April 24, at the Benton Event Center. Students will have to be there earlier for judging.
The deadline to turn in all paperwork and a photo of the completed design will be April 9.
Dunn encourages students to get involved, learn about recycling and show off their creativity.