2015 - My First Trash Fashion Show

I was in middle school when my friend wanted me to do a fashion show with her. She always tried to get me to be more social. For a few years, she was making and entering recycled dresses at the Fuller Lodge Trash Fashion Show in Los Alamos. I saw the flier and thought “No way! I am not modeling a dress in front of a ton of people!” Fast forward a week prior and she finally convinced me to try it. I threw together a dress using pop tabs and a sheet. I was scared to death but it helped to have my friend with me the whole time. We got dressed and lined up for the show. I was the first one to walk out for the tween category, followed by my friend. I had so much fun. I thought that I would hate it but once I got on the runway, I had a blast. We didn’t win anything but it was a lot of fun and I wanted to keep doing it.

I started with an old blue fitted sheet my mom gave me. At the time my sewing skills were limited so I used the elastic on the edges to my advantage. For school we would collect pop tabs but my mom let me use some for my dress. I also scrounged for some random beads to add a bit of detail. I love(d) flowers so I made that the theme, hence the name "Flower Power". After making the base I arranged the pop tabs and hot glued them on. I remember finding some pink feathers to add as well. From a previous school year, I cut up an old Lycra fabric book cover to make a necklace and the strap of my mini purse. The purse was also made from the blue sheet. I believe the dress only took a few days. The show was on a Saturday and I had from that Monday to create the outfit. Luckily we had a day off so I spent the entire time working on the dress. I would slave for hours on my floor and on our art studio counter, just gluing on the pop tabs, feathers, and beads. I was super rushed, but it was so much fun.

My mom was really supportive, and she knew I was nervous. Before the show started she came to me and gave me a flower made of an old Coke can. She had used her new cutting machine to make it for me. At the time I didn't appreciate it near as much as I do today. I still have it 5 years later in a special place. She is also an artist (seriously the best I've seen) and has supported every hobby and interest I've had. I don't think I would be here today without her. That day I never expected to have found my biggest passion. I never thought this gesture from my mom would make me tear up years later.

I don't remember much about the show, just trying to walk down the catwalk slowly and keeping my head up with a smile. Of course I sped down the red carpet! After all the models went on stage, I met with my family members in the backroom. My mom, dad, and grandma came to watch the show and met me afterwards. It was a big moment, I only did a year of gymnastics ages before then so this was huge for 13 year old me. My friend and I didn't win but we really had fun. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Just saying "here" for attendance scared me everyday, presentations were even worse! My anxiety worsened for the next few years but the trash fashion shows were always the exception. My fear of people judging and criticizing me dissolved when I dressed up and modeled. I'm still not 100 percent sure what made me fall in love that day, but it happened and now these shows mean everything to me.