TRASHY Fashion, a thrifted fashion party and clothes swap hosted by the Art Exchange and Lifeline Broken Hill, is back this month, taking over the courtyard at the Grand Hotel.
Research conducted by the Australian Fashion Council indicated Australian purchase 14.8kilograms of clothing, or 56 new items, each year, with 10kgs ending up in landfill.
As a part of the Waste 2 Art Program, which encourages recycling, upcycling and waste reduction through creative events, the Trashy Fashion Event invites attendees to create and wear an outfit using waste or recycled material, or something purchased secondhand such as at an op shop.
Drag performer Amanda Screetly will host the night, with dinner, drinks, and an opportunity to walk the catwalk and win prizes all included in the $30 cover charge.
As well as the runway show event, attendees are invited to bring up to 10 items from their closet to trade in a clothes swap market.
Secretary of the Broken Hill Art Exchange, Nadine Benvenisti, said she hopes the event serves as a reminder of what can be made with recycled materials.
“We have been driven to over consumption with access to cheap clothes from China and social media driving the desire for new outfits, but we tend to forget the real cost of these is paid by the environment and the workers who face poor conditions and low pay,” she said.
“Trashy Fashion reminds us there are lots of sustainable ways to look incredible without paying this cost.
“I encourage everyone to pass on that outfit they will never wear again to a new home and check out the op shops first before you buy something new.”
The event will serve as a fundraiser for Lifeline Broken Hill and the Art Exchange.
Trashy Fashion will take place between 7pm and 9.30pm on Friday, May 23.
Tickets can be purchased on the Art Exchange website: https://www.brokenhillartexchange.org.au/workshops/trashy-fashion-1
