The Ecology Action Center is looking for creative shoppers to participate in this year’s Renewable Fashion Challenge which will take place at the Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo on April 13 at the Shirk Center.
This contest encourages consumers to extend the life of existing textiles, and spread out that environmental cost by re-using clothing which is already here. Each year in the U.S., 25 billion pounds of textiles are produced and over 21 billion pounds of textiles are sent to landfills. Getting a garment from design to retail store requires a mind-boggling amount of environmental resources – water, pesticides, chemicals, energy and more.
Contestants will find a fashion “look” from a magazine or celebrity fashion event. They will then scour area thrift stores, consignment shops and even their own closets to replicate that look, by using only pre-owned garments. The competition will culminate with a fashion show at the April event, and prizes will be awarded to winners.
This event is co-sponsored by the Home Sweet Home’s Mission Mart Thrift Store, and a variety of events and special offers for contestants are being planned. Interested fashion designers should pre-register in order to learn about the events and offers. The deadline for submitting final entries will be April 5.
Questions may be directed to Kris Hall at the Ecology Action Center, 309-454-3169.
