Recycled FASHION SHOW ideas

Fashion is constantly being recycled.  I really loved big "bell bottom" jeans back in the 1970's.  Guess what?  They're back!   And they look just as cool now as they did then.  If you think about it though, recycled fashion doesn't have to be about STYLE only,  it can also be about the MATERIALS used too.  This is where the idea of recycled fashion starts to get really interesting for me.  I recently participated in a RECYCLED FASHION SHOW in Largo, Florida.  Largo Recycles - Recycling Coordinator - Marissa Segundo does a stunningly good job of inspiring young people to create really BEAUTIFUL dresses from trash/recycled/reclaimed materials and to enter the local fashion show contest.  These are not tacky dresses with garbage chaotically duct-taped to them, they are really beautiful and fashionable creations.  The young women (who mostly make their own dresses) make "one of a kind" dresses for the fashion run-way that are recycled AND beautiful.  Examples of their creativity in materials included an awesome black sparkly dress made of recycled VHS VIDEO TAPE (great idea right?), a really wonderful dress made of several VICTORIAS SECRET shopping bags, and an incredible dress made entirely of plastic forks and spoons.  Yep, you read that right... plastic forks and spoons.  Each contestant had worked really really hard on their dress and they were all truly amazing.  Here is a link to the LargoRecycles page, you can see many of the  dresses in a photo gallery there.  If you decide to do this yourself to encourage recycling and creativity in your community, here are a few things to remember.  NUMBER 1.  Make sure everyone understands that this is a REAL FASHION SHOW.  The dresses are NOT a joke.  They are beautiful creations from beautiful and creative minds using recycled materials.  You're there to showcase that!  Consider enlisting local fashion designers to "pitch in" or give "helpful tips" to get the contestants started.   NUMBER 2.  Make sure you design your runway to look just like a "REAL" fashion runway.  Do it in a theater.  Do it AS theater.  Use REAL theatrical lighting.  Use a follow spot.  Make the whole experience "pop".  And when possible, use professional MC's (a great choice would be local TV personalities who can ALSO get you some great local publicity too).  All this will make the show better!  The clothing and women should all look beautiful and feel special. NUMBER 3.  Have fun.  Maybe you have the next "sustainable/green Bouchra-Jarrar" in your town and don't even know it.  We'll never know unless you give it a try.  Good luck and stay green!