Fashionable statement about recycling
UMPI students create fashion from recyclables
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Models dressed in paper bags, bed sheets and movie tickets took the stage at UMPI recently.
The uncommon outfits, made from recycled materials, were the main feature at the university’s Earth Day Trash to Fashion Show. Outfits from students and community members were showcased at the April 22, 2016 event.
Fine arts senior student, Emma Ruff, organized the event. Ruff says she loved seeing what participants created for the show.
“Fashion design is such a big passion of mine,” Ruff says, “To see other people indulge in that and work with that and all their unique takes on it, it was really neat.”
Arts sophomore, Lauryn Wegmann, walked the runway with long black strands of VHS tape flowing from her dress.
Wegmann’s dress made from movies from the 25 cent bin won the show’s avant-garde category. She says it took her over four weeks to finish the dress.
Other winners included Alexandra Weeks in the ready to wear category and Ariana Forbes in the formal category.
Ruff hopes the fashion show becomes a yearly event. She says it’s a great way to get people thinking about recycling.
“I think the materials used remind people of what we can recycle and what we can do to make the world a better place.”
