TRASHION
Nepean Creative Students filming for 2020 Trashion Resurrection
ABOUT
TRASHION
Young people today are so worried about the planet! We get it.
That’s why we designed WASTE NOT Trashion. We don’t preach, we make it fun.
Creating a couture collection made entirely from “wasted” materials teaches teenagers the power of imagination. They learn skills like knitting and re-making to design new clothes from rubbish. They analyse their favourite brands and their values. Then they create a communications strategy to promote their trashion collections.
The message is simple – together we can create a sustainable future. By becoming proactive “conscious consumers” we can save the planet from waste and pollution.
In 2020 we’ve transitioned WASTE NOT Trashion into the digital space by working with the Youth Eco Summit and our partners at the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. In previous years different schools have competed for various prizes donated by a range of awesome sponsors and ethical brands. In 2020 we worked exclusively with the amazing staff and students of the award-winning Nepean CAPA high-school. Their WASTE NOT Trashion Resurrection couture live-streamed during the Youth Eco Summit and those resources are now linked to the Department of Education website.
WASTE NOT Trashion Resurrection makes connections between what we wear and throw away. It blew our ethical socks off!
Creating WASTE NOT Trashion is a fascinating process involving research into packaging and pollution, finding the solutions to negative human impacts on the planet, and creating awareness of the toxic wastefulness of the global fashion industry.
Whether in the arts, fashion or recycling sectors, we only work with organisations that set a great example because they are already on a sustainability journey.
Creating WASTE NOT Trashion is a way to empower a whole new generation of ‘conscious consumers” to change the world!
Pilot Project
In 2018 we launched the Mash It Up! pilot project with our partner Sydney Olympic Park Authority with a five year plan.
To address waste, pollution and raging apocalypse-anxiety, we decided to challenge teenagers with something they are all obsessed with – fast fashion!
In 2018 the student teams of two participating high schools worked for 3 months to create a collection of trashion couture solely from waste materials – knitting, weaving and sewing everything from old cds to straws and plastic bags into gowns, cloaks, and accessories. They also developed multi-media communications to compliment their message – goodbye toxic fast fashion, hello! waste-free world.
In September 2018 at the annual Youth Eco Summit our teams paraded their spectacular couture before a panel of industry judges drawn from the fashion, recycling and fine arts sectors, and competed for prizes such as Best Messaging, Best Trashion and Most Resourceful.
Teachers and students from Nepean CAPA and Engadine High school wowed the audience with the power of their imaginations – Game of Throwns and A Dumpster Wedding For the End of the World were brilliant collections that no-one had to die for.
In 2019 Nepean CAPA and Northmead CAPA battled for trashion dominance with Earth Wind And Fire competing against The Last Supper of Fast Food.
In 2020 we pivoted fast to adapt to Covid-19, pruning the competition to focus on one school and creating WASTE NOT Trashion Resurrection.
In 2021, while restrictions remain in place, we are adapting once again, with a vibrant new program to be announced in May 2021. Planning for 2022 is already taking place.
Thanks to our generous supporters and the talent of participating students and staff, the WASTE NOT Trashion project is on target to fulfill our five year development plan. Check out our trashion blogs for updates.
2020 SHOWCASE
trashion ressurRection
Featuring the awesome Trashion projects of students at Nepean CAPA High School. We have worked with three different Sydney high schools over the past three year, all of which have taken out significant prizes each year. The consistent commitment from Nepean CAPA students and staff however has been truly inspirational. The Showcase we created with Nepean students in 2020, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, reveals just how educative and fun creating trashion couture from waste can be - and how the project leads to curriculum matched outcomes.
