The dumpster wears Prada
Dolce & Garbagea. Consignment Channel. Jimmy Chewed-Over. Trashion, the art of turning discarded debris into designed treasure, returns in April to the Sonoma Community Center for Trashion 2021.
The call is on for designers to see their creations work the virtual catwalk.
Aspiring designers can in two ways. Using only recycled materials, participants can make actual wearable art that will strut down the fashion catwalk. Another option is to transform a Barbie doll into an artfully upcycled showpiece that will be featured in the annual exhibition and silent auction.
“What’s great about this is that we are always seeking new voices,” says Creative Programs Manager Eric Jackson who produced November’s virtual Trashion Show that was a love-letter to Sonoma. “We want amateurs, professionals, designers, friends, families, youth to seniors and everyone in between who have always thought about doing it but never got around to it. It’s truly a community affair.”
New for 2021 is the chance for creative Barbie recyclers to enter the themed contest of “Recognizable Heroes” that can include a fictional or nonfictional representation in any time period, wordwide. Themed entries will be automatically eligible to win money that will be voted on by the community. Barbie entries do not need to fit the theme to be included in the virtual exhibit and silent auction.
Free dolls provided by part by Recology will be available for curbside pick-up by contacting Eric Jackson by email at or by calling 707-938- 4626 x3. Interested artists are also encouraged to use their own dolls if they have them. The deadline is March 5.
“There are no limitations as to how you can interpret the challenges, as long as you don’t use anything new,” Jackson continued. “Now is the time to go through your recycle bins and start dreaming!”
The Trashion Fashion Runway also has a new opportunity for its designers. Anyone entering the fashion show can be a part of the upcoming “Road to the Runway” behind-the-scenes virtual program by documenting their creating process from inspiration to creation. More details and deadlines provided on the application forms.
Deadline to enter any of the 11th Annual Trashion Fashion Events is March 5, 2021.
The entry fee to register the Runway Show is $45 per garment for adults and $25 per garment for juniors ages 9-17. Barbie entries are $25 an entry or $40 for two entries. All proceeds go to supporting the Center arts and educational programming
