Affordable Fashion Challenge

6th Annual Affordable Fashion Challenge

April 9th, 2011

This year’s affordable Fashion Challenge will again be encouraging creative individuals to ‘design on a dime’ for the Ecology Action Center’s 5th Annual Affordable Fashion Challenge.

The Affordable Fashion Challenge represents an opportunity for promoting the reuse of textiles and materials as a way to reduce waste and preserve natural resources, all while encouraging creativity and thriftiness in fashion! Learning about affordable fashion and interior design is a must from an economic standpoint. Create trendy fashions for pennies on the dollar by recycling fabric into fashions and at the same time helping to preserve our environment!

Click HERE for the application to enter the Affordable Fashion Challenge

For the 5th Annual Affordable Fashion Challenge, we are inviting all community members to join in the creative process, giving our sustainable fashion project four age categories:

• 12 and under
• 13 through high school seniors
• college students
• community members

The Affordable Fashion challenge will end with the Affordable Fashion Show, the second day of the Expo, Saturday April 10th, at 2:00pm on the Main Stage.

Rules

The Affordable Fashion Challenge encourages participants at each age level to evaluate the effects they have on our environment and brainstorm creative ways to combine fabulous fashions, both apparel items and interior items, with the sustainability of recycled textiles and accessories. Begin by visiting your local thrift shops (Goodwill, BroMenn Thrift Shop, Mission Mart, etc.) or garage sales to find used clothing and materials.

There will be one prize awarded in each age category. Each participant is encouraged to create a new fashion piece from the used fabric. This can be utilizing fabrics that were found, or by deconstructing a used piece of clothing to create a new design. Pre-used fabric can include items like shower curtains, drapes, curtains, etc. Sewing is not necessary as long as another artistic skill (such as painting, beading, etc) is featured primarily. Workshops will be held throughout the community to demonstrate various artistic techniques and provide inspiration, etc.

For Interior Design

setting with tablecloth, a new lampshade. Whether a pre-teen making their own unique statement with the room or a homeowner redecorating a basement —the sky is the limit. Remember, the main piece must be recycled and overhauled (additions made with paint, sewing, etc).

Jewelry/ Accessories

The rules for jewelry and accessories are very similar to the above ones for interior design. The main part of the jewelry and/or accessories must come from recycled or reused items. This could also include any old broken jewelry that was combined with other items to create something new. There will be one grand prize awarded in this category and the items will be on display during the show.

Criteria

Entries must be able to be worn or used in the home, according to the category of entry. The main part(s) of the entry MUST include pre-worn/used material. While paint, ribbons, beads, etc. may be purchased, they must figure into the total cost of the entry. All expenses must be accounted for. We will be looking for best overall environmental and economic value.

The fashion show will be held Saturday, April 10th at 2pm at the Illinois Sustainable Wellness Expo at the Illinois Wesleyan University Shirk Center. The show will begin with our youngest entrants, followed by age 13 through high school seniors, college students, and concluding with members of the community. To be eligible, fashions must be worn/ displayed on the runway. ( All designers must either model their fashions, or provide for someone to model their designs.)

Interior design pieces/Jewelry will also be displayed at the Wellness Expo. If it is impractical to bring your entry with you, we can work out an alternative presentation format.

Cash prizes will be distributed to the winner of each category. Additional awards for best use of resources, most unique, etc. will be awarded. Entrant must be present to win.

Please attach before and after photos of your entry to your application. We want to see your work!

Registration

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