2020 Ready to Wear
In 2017, Madison Reading Project launched Read(y) to Wear, a paper inspired benefit fashion show which brings together lovers of reading and fashion to support the literacy needs of kids, families and educators.
Artist, corporate, nonprofit, and student teams are allowed two (2) designs in the show. Models take a turn on the catwalk and designs are voted on by a panel of local celebrity judges. Teams compete for the title of Madison Reading Project’s Read(y) to Wear Design Team and the best Use of Paper.
Flight of Icarus
Paper Materials Used: Corrugated card board, vintage wall paper, vintage wrapping paper, handmade paper, and tissue paper
Inspired by the Greek Mythological Tale of Icarus. Icarus and his father attempt to escape from Crete by means of wings that his father constructed from feathers and wax. Icarus’ father warns him of flying too low nor too high, so the sea’s dampness would not clog his wings nor the sun’s heat melt them. Icarus ignored his father’s instructions not to fly too close to the sun; when the wax in his wings melted he tumbled out of the sky and fell into the sea where he drowned, sparking the idiom “don’t fly too close to the sun”. The wings are made from a corrugated cardboard structure and are covered in more that 40 pieces of vintage wall paper and vintage wrapping paper. The wings represent the father giving his son life; the ocean and the sun represent the extremes of denying and overindulging yourself; flying in between is the answer.
Avant-Garde
Paper Materials Used: Tissue Paper, Newspaper
Welcome to the forefront of fashion design, where Avant-garde is the new norm. In the fashion world, paper inspired Avant-garde has become a symbol of progress, exploration and innovation, of everything and anyone ahead of their time. Avant-garde, derived from French origin translates as, “advance guard”, “vanguard”, or literally “fore guard”. It pushes the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm or the status quo. Reusing unconventional paper as clothing, puts a twist on what is wearable and challenges the use of our everyday clothing. As the second largest pollutant in the waste industry, it is clear that our choices on clothing needs to change. Every step this model takes is equivalent to one garbage truck of textile burned. Next time you purchase your clothes think about, where it came from, what materials were used, and do you really need it? These questions will change the future of Avant-Garde clothing.
2019 Eco Warrior
Create. Inspire. Protect the Earth Fashion, Pageantry and Environmental Event production by Carrera Co & BChic ECO Warrior Design and Model Competition is an Annual Fashion Event. Our Mission is to produce a fashion show that allows new and established designers to showcase their creativity through the use of repurposed, reused, upcycled, recycled and/or biodegradable materials. We hope to inspire and ignite the passion for green initiatives and for helping save our earth.
Bottle Cap Dress
Materials: Bottle Caps and Split Rings
Made up of over 900 bottle caps, this piece is an eye catching showstopper. Each bottle cap is connected with a split ring that allows the flexibility of the bottle caps to move like a textile. On the left side of the dress there is a closure made with lobster claw clasps, which help slide the garment onto the model’s body. I not only think about the material of my work but also the structure and functionality of the garment.
2019 Read(y) to Wear
Memor(y) Wear
Paper Materials Used: Tissue Paper, Travel Maps, Vintage Dictionary Paper, Music Paper, News Paper
Travel maps from my eco-activst grandfather, and pattern-making tissue paper from my grandmother are just a few of the paper materials used to create this garment. My grandmother raised 7 children and was creative with the sewing machine. She passed away when I was young, but I still think her when I work on her sewing machine and incorporate her materials into my work.
Awards:
- Best use of Materials
- Best Student Design
- Voted People’s Choice
Colorful Coat
