Thursday, October 1, 2026
LEAVENWORTH — Using recycled and repurposed materials, nearly 20 teams showcased their best artistic and fashion skills at Wenatchee River Institute’s fifth annual Trashion Show on Apr. 24.
“It is really fun to just see how trash can be used in different ways, besides just throwing it away,” said Ava Hargrove, a member of the middle school team that created “Wings of Redbull.”
Each year, fashion teams show off their talents and creativity as models strut down the grassy runway wearing art created by recycled and repurposed materials. In honor of Earth Day, the teams pair their art pieces with a factoid and a message about being better stewards of the planet. This year, design teams sourced their materials from classrooms, hospitals, estate sales and litter in natural areas.
With an outfit entitled “Chained to fast fashion,” Natasha Karcic paraphrased fashion designer Vivian Westwood: “I just want everyone to buy less, choose better and make it last.”
“I have 3,510 pop tabs collected from friends and family over the past year, and I linked them together to represent how we're chained to buying and over consuming clothes that are made poorly and end up in the landfill within 10 months,” said Karcic.
Taking home the People’s Choice award was “Snack Attack Fairy,” which used snack bags collected from the model’s 2nd grade classroom. “This Girl is on Fire,” a dress also made out of snack bags, won the middle school category. “Sonaldo Rex,” which used cardboard and wine corks, won the high school category. Lastly, “Krampus” won the adult category, which used packing material, office supplies, and leftover estate sale items.
Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media
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