Blossoming designers went the extra stitch to put together a Trashion Show, proving South African creativity is as unmatched as it is future-forward.
Howick, South Africa (14 June, 2023) — The best kinds of creativity come from the most unexpected places. If you never thought takeaway spoons could be turned into a runway-ready dress or that plastic bags were reserved solely for garbage, then let us introduce you to the boundless creativity of young South Africa and the Trashion Show that showcased the kind of flair runways were designed for.
At a primary school in Howick, blossoming designers sourced their finest trash to ensemble wearable outfits.
Put together by One Planet South Africa and the Sustainable Schools Programme, the Trashion Show gave Fashion Weeks a run for their money. Not least because these designs were unconventional sources, but also because of the future-forward thinking behind them.
Bubble wrap became gorgeous bows, bottle caps topped up looks and even corks made for impressive accents at Thembelihle School’s Hall—the hive of the trashion treasures.
Watch: Waste is a Choice, Not an Inevitability
@carmenolympiaIt was so tough having to judge all the fits from this past weekend! On Saturday it was the Trashion Show that has been running since 2015! Contestants came from all over KwaZulu-Natal to share their creativity and joy with us! I was blown away by the passion that was translated into each and every fit!♬ original sound – Carmen
Take a look at the waste wonders up close!
Read the Label
The invisible label each of the designs hold speaks to upcycling for a conscious future in South Africa and beyond.
As environmental awareness continues to change the course of education, future leaders need more than texts and tests on all the ‘problems’, they need to see what the alternatives can look like and how much fun they can be.
Today it might be a plastic bag reimagined into a dress, tomorrow it will be a sustainable designer leading the slow fashion movement.