Raid your recycling bins, rifle through your rags and ferret for feathers and shells.
Motueka makers are being invited to turn debris and detritus into runway-ready outfits for an upcycled fashion show that aims to blend creativity, entertainment and environmental awareness.
Registrations are now open for the event, which is a collaboration between the Motueka Arts Council, Textile ResQ and the Crafty Tarts. Arts council chair Julienne Dickie says the organisers want to challenge participants to create costumes using repurposed materials, while raising awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion and offering people a chance to collaborate on a shared creative project.
There are three categories on offer: fantastical garments, designed in the spirit of World of Wearable Art-style costumes; streetwear, including garments you would wear day-to-day or for a special occasion; and accessories, including hats, bags and shoes.
Each category is split into two age groups, child (under 14) and adult (14 and over). Entries can be made by individuals or groups, with a registration fee for each entry. A panel of judges will award prizes in each category.
The project is drawing on many corners of the community. The runway for the final show is being built by the Motueka MenzShed, and Motueka High School is integrating the project into its textiles programme. Organisers are also hoping local primary schools will help by creating posters and storyboards to support the show. Participants can model their own outfits, or the high school can provide models if required.
As well as exploring op shops, recycle bins and the natural environment for materials, event coordinator Dani Louis suggests approaching local workplaces, which may have excess packaging or unused stock that they don’t have a plan for.
Five workshops covering different aspects of costume-making and design will run in April and May. These include sessions on design and planning, working with denim, sewing machine skills and techniques, decorative hand stitching, and troubleshooting construction challenges.
Registrations for both the fashion show and the workshops opened last week through the Motueka Arts Council website, and close on Sunday, 17 May. Tickets to the final show will go on sale the same day.
More information is available at www.motuekaartscouncil.com/creative-transformations or by contacting coordinator Dani Louis at fashion@motuekaartscouncil.com.
