Dramatic modeling accompanies upcycled costumes.
By Laurelle Walsh
Confluence Gallery and Art Center presents the fifth annual Trashion Show on Saturday (April 25) at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 7 p.m.
The runway fashion show, featuring garments made from “upcycled” materials, is recommended for ages 13 and up. General admission is $15 at the door.
A limited number of front-row VIP tickets are available in advance at Confluence Gallery for $30, which includes one drink from the bar.
“We’re calling the show ‘From Junk to Jewels,’” Confluence Gallery Executive Director Salyna Gracie said. Show entries include outfits made out of materials that most people normally throw away, fashioned into wearable pieces by several well-known local designers — as well as some newcomers, she added.
Among the designers with work in the show is Autumn Jateff, who will be modeling a dress she made from black plastic scraps and broken zippers collected over the years in her work as a seamstress, Gracie said.
Designer Linda Dunn will enter three outfits in the show, including one modeled by local body builder Gene Shull, made from protein powder bags, plastic fencing, PVC pipe and plastic tarp.
Liberty Bell High School alumna Faurest Nelson Wicks incorporated into her outfit some unusual raw material — dog and cat fur — that would normally be thrown out in her job as a dog groomer, she stated in her show entry form.
Danbert Nobacon designed and models an outfit he calls “Angel of the Northwest,” made from orange juice cartons, milk cartons and plastic packaging.
Pearl Cherrington will show her work, “Lotsa balls,” inspired by a 17th century Baroque style ball gown.
And Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus costumer Susan Graves will enter two “Bridal Fantasy” gowns — one for a daytime wedding and the other an “evening look” — made, in part, out of used fabric softener sheets and leftover wedding decorations, according to her entry form.
Photographer Donni Reddington will set up a photo booth where all the models in their “trashions” will be documented in a Hollywood-style fashion shoot, said Gracie.
New to the Trashion Show this year are pizzas, sandwiches, cupcakes and cookies made by Okanogan Bakery. Food and beverage service will begin when the doors open at 6 p.m. “Come early, get a drink and some dinner while you wait for the runway show to begin,” Gracie suggests.
For more information or to reserve VIP tickets, call Confluence at 997-2787.
