Heritage Woods Secondary Presents GARBÄGE

For one night a year dressing a little trashy isn't actually bad!

On, Thursday, April 19th a group of talented and creative high-school students will have the opportunity to showcase some very unique fashion designs at the GARBÄGE fashion show held at Heritage Woods Secondary.

This year, 40 contestants have designed and created clothes made entirely out of recycled materials, which according to event head organizer Josephine Gunapranata, was pretty much the only restriction. "[The designers] have artistic license. The criteria is they can’t use anything new. If they want to use cupcake filters or coffee filters, they have to be used." Not being able to buy materials for their designs is a huge challenge, but every year the students come up with amazing pieces.

"Last year, we had a dress made out of 1,000 or more bus tickets. [The designer] had been collecting bus tickets for the whole year and she glued them together to make a really pretty dress," Gunapranata recalls. "Another was newspaper cut into really fine feathers. That was one of the really cool things. From afar you thought it was feathers, but when you looked closer it was actually newspaper." If last year was any indication, many more unique fashion pieces will be modelled on the runway this year. GARBÄGE, however, is much more than just a high-school fashion show.

The students' creations will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges made up two School District 43 officials, blogger and owner of Sewaholic Patterns, Tasnia Pona, and certified wearable arts judge, Brenda Miller. Four winners will be chosen and awarded monetary gift prizes; but they won't be the only winners that evening. Proceeds from ticket sales as well as a silent auction will go to two charities: Noons Creek Fish Hatchery and Inner Hope Youth Ministries. Items such as gift certificates and Ray-Ban glasses have been donated from the community and will be auctioned off throughout the event. The organizers are aiming to raise around $3,000 and in order to reach that goal a dedicated group of students have once again led the way.

Four years ago, members of Kodiacs with a Purpose (KWAP), Heritage Wood’s Secondary’s leadership group, came up with the concept of a sustainable fashion show. Since then the event has become a tradition, gaining more and more recognition every year.

Gunapranata describes the event as, “a cool way to get involved in the community and see the creative side to students who showcase their talent and interests.” So, if you have never attended GARBÄGE you should definitely check out this one-of-a-kind student-run fashion show and support a great cause at the same time!

The show will take place at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 19th in the Grand Hall of Heritage Wood Secondary (1300 David Ave, Port Moody, BC). Doors open at 6:15pm. Tickets will be available at the door: $7 for students and $10 for adults.