A student's sketch for Fashion Trashion, including a puffy sillouette skirt, with corset-like bodice

Dung Tran’s sketch for her entry into this year’s Trashion Fashion

By Amanda Holst, Public Affairs Assistant

Trash bags, aluminum foil and shower curtains are just some of the materials that SJSU designers are coming up with for their entries into this year’s Trashion Fashion Show.

“I’m using what’s most accessible to me,” says first-year entrant advertising student Dung Tran. “Newspaper and hopefully potato sacks. If not, then I guess I will have to improvise with something else.”

With only a couple days until the show, Tran is completing her asymmetrical dress with hourglass silhouette skirt for the competition. Her inspiration for the design comes from a vintage book, and the idea for a corset-like bodice, from her sister-in-law.

This is Associated Students second year hosting the Trashion Fashion Show, with the goal of creating awareness of post-consumer waste and clothing, according to Director of Extracurricular Affairs LaKendra Hardwick.

“The purpose is to promote sustainability around campus and show students that they can be trendy while shopping at second-hand and recycled stores,” said Hardwick.

Fashion Trashion is set to take place 6-8 p.m. April 14 in the Campus Village quad. In the first part of the show, designers will compete for the most eco-friendly designs. In the second part, models will be modeling clothes from Crossroads Trading Co., a local second-hand fashion shop.

Senior photography major, Andrea Henneman started sketching in early January and began sewing her pieces about a month ago.

“I am pushing myself a lot harder his year. The challenge will be making sleeves and making sure everything is going to fit,” said Henneman. A 1940s-inspired dress made from photo paper and dental floss walked the runway last year, earning her second place. This year, Henneman is making a dress from lottery tickets.

For Tran, Henneman and other SJSU designers, models and fashion-minded students, this is an opportunity to show off their skills and to help build up their resumes. Hardwick expects at least 400 attendees for this year’s Fashion Show and hopes to see all the hard work pay off.

“Expect creativity and a fun environment to come and watch what our students are capable of,” Hardwick said.

See how things turned out! We’ve posted photos on Facebook. No need to register. Our page is open to everyone.