Think twice before you place your paper and plastics in the recycling bin: A textile arts student in the Coquitlam school district may want to turn that junk into funk.
Tomorrow (Thursday), more than a dozen School District 43 high school students will be showcasing their haute trash at the fifth annual Garbage Fashion Show, held at Port Moody's Heritage Woods secondary.
Models will be sashaying down the catwalk in the school's grand hall to exhibit the outfits of 16 young designers - many of whom have spent hundreds of hours this past winter and spring to glue, tape and staple reclaimed materials to turn into unique garments.
Among the fashionistas is Kalhiea Robb, 17, a Grade 12 student at Heritage Woods who worked with discarded plastic table cloths, disco ball mirror chips, used envelopes, papier mache, hula hoops and chicken wire for her Mail Order Bride gown, which Leanna Denny, 17, will display on the red carpet.
Kathleen Harmer, 18, also Grade 12, started in February by cutting newspapers into strips and gluing and taping them together for Well Read, a school uniform/business suit that includes a skirt with suspenders, a tie, hair bow and wrapped shoes. Harmer will be modeling her own ensemble at the April 18 event.
"I'm happy with the way it came out," Harmer said of her creation.
Other high schools highlighting their second-life "trashion" wares are Riverside, Port Moody, Dr. Charles Best and Pinetree.
Tavy Wu, who is co-organizing the fundraiser with Jordan Bevan for credit to her Independent Directed Studies courses, said the proceeds from the ticket sales and raffle draws will go to a non-profit group that helps the downtown eastside homeless.
Started five years ago by members of Kodiacs with a Purpose - Heritage's leadership group - the show is aimed at raising awareness with SD43 students about the amount of litter that heads to the landfills and recycling depots. In past years, participants have stitched together bus tickets, pop cans and garbage bags.
Tickets at $10/$7 for the Garbage Fashion Show are available at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m at Heritage Woods secondary (1300 David Ave., Port Moody). The event starts at 7 p.m.
