Eco-fashions featured at Recycled Materials Runway Event

The Recycled Materials Runway Event was held on June 3 at the Escondido Arts Partnership. The models wore fashion designs using re-purposed or found materials. Eco-fashions are popular as sustainability is a huge trend right now. These edgy garments were made from thrift items and some even used trashed materials.

The Kodak Dress was named “Feeling a little negative or projecting the positive?” This stylish ensemble began with a hat that was made on top of a vintage hat base adding exposed 35 mm film cascading down, old metal film canister cases, and more 35mm film, movie reel cases and spooling movie film, and black crinoline. The earrings were created from old slides. The entire ensemble was made by Mary Nuzum and Marty O. The tunic actually projects images of the slides on a white background when light hits it.

One dress was made from old embroidered linens. The outfit was topped off with a beautiful hat made from large doilies shaped into a sunhat.

For those who are into creepy dolls, one artist put a creepy doll on the chest of her gown and finished off the design with a halo headdress made from the rim of a hubcap. Another designer created a Steampunk-era gown with a bustle and bonnet using a Chenille bedspread.

One garment on the runway had a Kimono warrior Samurai feel to it. It was called “Seeking Enlightenment” after the gardens in Kyoto. This was made by Marty O from a commercial vinyl poster that was backed in blue fabric, cut into strips, and rearranged to make a surrealist image out of a huge printed face. The leftover poster was used to create a cape, which was edged with fringed denim.

The final design (above) to walk the catwalk was a bustier with LED lights and an actual lampshade as a skirt and complimented with shoes also with lights. This stunning outfit was topped off with a round sphere headpiece, which was a lamp from IKEA. This headpiece was stitched to a green wig and lit up for an amazing look.

This is an annual fundraising event for the Escondido Arts Partnership. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to create a collaborative environment where Southern California’s art and artists can prosper. If you are interested in coming to next year’s event or participating, visit escondidoarts.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, July 20 – Her Universe Fashion Show at Comic-Con at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel. They are presented by Hot Topic and Disney. Begins at 6 p.m. and is free for San Diego Comic-Con attendees.

San Diego Swim Week, July 27-29 – Check the schedule for locations at SanDiegoSwimWeek.com.

Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the San Diego area. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and blogger at www.DianaCavagnaro.com.