Cinco de Mayo-Recycled

The Fashion Club's recycled design is ready to hit the runway this Cinco de Mayo.  Today is your last day to purchase tickets online at https://artscouncil.ticketspice.com/2018-recycled-runway  Remember, we are celebrating the 45th anniversary of The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and should wear sapphire in solidarity.

"Glitter Ghost" Haunting Market Street

Do you remember the "Glitter Ghost" we created for Recycled Runway 2017?  The Gaffer District in Corning, New York was kind enough to help promote this year's event by displaying several ensembles in store front windows.  "Candy Wrapper's Delight" by Hiedi L. Allison stands beside the ghost and represent a bit of the talent that goes into these fashion shows.

Final Details

Last week, our school district closed for spring break, so the Fashion Club met twice to complete "Starlight Wishes."  Our lovely model and her mother stayed late one night creating some of the final details.  These shoes were decorated with 3-D printed scraps and cardboard tabs, which were glued and glittered.

They devised a purse, which will hold the wishes we make when we see that first star of the night.  She will grant those wishes at the end of the catwalk with a glittered slingshot.  The grace of this model will win the hearts of the audience--no doubt!

Sneaky Peeky

This is your last sneak peek of the details of this dress before it hits the runway on Saturday.  We hope you venture out to celebrate our accomplishments.  There are over 10 hours of dedicated work put into this ensemble alone.  That does not reflect the amount of hands working on it.  There are 34 models set to walk this runway, each working over 40 hours each on their own pieces.  We promise this is a show you do not want to miss.

One note of respect:  

Recycled Runway is not connected to (but is applauded by) Recycle Runway.

In preparation for the seventh installment of Recycled Runway Fashion Show, we discovered an artist using (and owning) a very similar name.  Nancy Judd is an established designer with copyright protection to her business.  From her website:  Artist and environmental educator Nancy Judd of Recycle Runway creates couture fashion from trash as an innovative way to provide education about conservation.

With respect to Nancy Judd and protection of artist's rights, the name of this event will be changed in 2019 to Runway Reboot.  It's an exciting moment for change.  Time for a REBOOT!

Spider Mums to Celebrate 45 Years!

I'll leave you with some sapphire Spider Mums that I crafted in the Creation Station, the Southeast Steuben County Library's Maker Space.  There are 2 Cricut Machines that cut the paper needed to establish a mum shaped flower.  Mums and sapphires are traditional gifts for a 45th anniversary, so we plan to celebrate in style. 

Cinco de Mayo-Recycled!

Check back in a few weeks to see the final "Starlight Wishes" ensemble on stage.

xo,

Erica

Starlight Wishes

We settled on a title for the ensemble from Friday Fashion Club with Tat.  This recycled wearable art piece will be known to the world as "Starlight Wishes."

Roni is getting Ready for the Runway

This is the biggest sneak peek you will get before May 5, 2018.  Have you purchased a ticket to the show?  What are you waiting for?!  Get your tickets today for the most excited Fashion Show in Corning, New York.

https://artscouncil.ticketspice.com/2018-recycled-runway

The Fashion Club crew finally determined a title for their work.  The outfit will be called "Starlight Wishes."  We felt the look of this design resembled a starry sky.  Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight...

Celestial Cap

The cosmic theme of this design lead to the creation of this Celestial Cap.  Using stringers from 3-D printing projects, this cap resembles shooting stars and asteroids.  What was to be "Booked for the Ball" has transformed as the Queen of the Solar System.

With only 2 more design classes left, we have a LOT of work to accomplish before we call this piece complete.  Check back at the end of April to see the continued progress.

xo,

Erica

Recycled Runway 2017

After seven classes and over twelve hours of hustle and bustle, Southeast Steuben County LIbrary's Glitter Ghost haunted the catwalk of the 2017 Recycled Runway Fashion Show. This fashion show is the annual fundraiser event for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and it was a smashing success!

Dress Rehearsal

The show was on June 3, 2017.  Being a Saturday, models and designers gave up their day of sunshine and outdoor adventures to be stowed away in the corners of the Corning Museum of Glass behind black curtains.  Every design was a surprise to our guests and no one wanted to spoil the anticipation.

Wig Design Plan

Jacket Design Plan

After each design session, led by Tatyana Buchholz at the library, I would write a blog to tease readers about our progress, but now is your chance to see the final product.  We had a vision to create a wig using that famed elementary school technique of folding paper in an accordion pattern.  The jacket was built with the simple looping process used to make advent chains for Christmas.  I remember making bracelets using these techniques on my bus rides home from school, but this class pulled it all together as a professional level design worthy of Project Runway--using only trash!

Final Hours of Design

As our group finalized this design during the last class, our model, Claire, got a good taste of how much attention she would receive on the day of the show.  Every model who participated in Recycled Runway was treated like royalty for a day, from hair and makeup to treats to keep everyone happy.

Silver Lashes--A MUST!

Our wonderful photographer, Chris Walters, shot images during the entire day. There were 31 fashion looks to fit and fluff along with 34 models to glamorize.  Bella Capelli Salon provided 7 stylists to sponsor the hair styles.  The SSCL Fashion Club created a wig so hair was not an issue.  Painted Love by Jennifer Sekella provided makeup and face painting for everyone.  Being a ghost character, Claire only needed a white wash to her face and a little bit of lipstick to give her a sense of "life" as she haunted the catwalk.

Glitter Ghost about to Emerge

I had the joy of organizing the grand event, so the moment I got to give a hug to our Glitter Ghost, I stole this shot before she stole the hearts of the audience.  Claire has been a dedicated library program attendee since 2010 and I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into a young lady.

Tiny Claire in 2012

Time brings change and watching kids grow and flourish into successful adults is a feature I appreciate in the library field.  I help develop individual interests and it seems that Claire is dedicated to the same interests as my own.

Style and Swagger

There were 2 rehearsals for models and technicians to refine their performance before the audience arrived.  We originally chose high heels to finish this outfit, but the boots gave a cow girl feel that everyone in the class preferred.

Glitter for Days

The moment our Fashion Club created their design proposal and named it "Glitter Ghost," the girls could not stop thinking of how to use glitter on stage.  During the final session, two students devised a ring-like pouch that could be used to dip into and dazzle the crowd.

Haunting

The glitter effect was haunting and our photographer captured it wonderfully in this shot. After all 31 designs graced the catwalk, I was honored to lead the encore presentation.  Being the Queen Bee of Organization, I held my trusty magic wand to take our bow.  It is apparent that we were adored and got tons of approval for the best show ever!

Find our Glitter Ghost in the Light Beam

This production is a tremendous labor of love.  There are 12 dedicated members of a planning committee who jury the proposals.  The planning team spends months scheduling meetings, arranging details and editing everything in their path.  This was my first year with the Queen Bee title and it was a fun ride!  You are sure to see me sporting that magic wand again in 2018.  The question is, will our SSC Library Fashion Club proposal be selected???

Talent Gala

Recycled Runway 2017 received so much talent and competitive designs, I worry our little Fashion Group will be against some tight competition next year.  The bright side is all 8 students want to submit personal proposals!  Best of luck to them.

Glitter Gone

That is a wrap for Fashion Club with Tat at the Southeast Steuben County Library.  If you would like to see images from the gala, check out the ARTS Council's Facebook page. Prepare to be IMPRESSED!!!

Fun for All Ages!

Be sure to save Friday July 28, 6:30-9 pm. on your calendars.  Construct your Steampunk Cosplay and entertain your friends and family at the 3rd Library Unmasked experience.  

All gears, cogs, and frills welcome.  

Thanks for visiting!

Check ya on the flip side.

~erica

Fashion Club in Full Swing!

While our Fashion Club project is really top secret, it's essential to tease our followers with some progress photos.  I know you're so intrigued by this process and cannot wait to attend the Recycled Runway Fashion show on June 3 at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Fashionista Assembly Line

In order to complete this project, we built an assembly line of teens to create the silver jacket for our "Glitter Ghost" look.  If you have a Blue Apron subscription, you may recognize the packaging!

From Mess to Mesh

Ashti holds up the 2 hours worth of work to reveal the mesh from the mess.

Our model, Claire assembled the start of the accessories for this fashion.  

Sandwiched Imagery

Sara, our model from 2016, prepared the pants legs by sandwiching images from tissue paper packaging with clear mylar and plastic bags found in the SSC Library offices.

Lydia shows a sample of the wig we are creating.  The final look will be very textural and voluminous.  Remember folding your gum wrappers this way and making bracelets?

The countdown is here with the show less than 60 days away.  The pressure is on to get this fashion look complete and refined!  Stay tuned for more sneak peeks at our progress and be sure to attend this annual fundraiser for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

xo,

erica

Friday Fashion Club- Recycled Runway Preparation

The time has arrived, once again, for us to prepare our design submissions for Recycled Runway Fashion Show, a fundraiser for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Tat leading the Fashionistas

Tat Buchholz is the lead instructor for this series again.  Tat's energy and ideas push this group to levels of design usually seen in college courses.  This year will be no different from previous, but we have a smaller group, so everyone will work a little harder.

Aside from preparing our design proposal, teaching techniques to manipulate materials was the main focus of the program.  In order to make a grand impression on the runway, the audience needs to see big, impressive shapes.  The need for volume to each detail is important to make the design memorable.  These techniques the students learn are stepping stones for future project designs.

Amelia helps prepare the Proposal

After each technique was learned, we included it in our proposal page.  The collage of our proposal started exciting the group of girls.  We chose a title for the design- "Glitter Ghost" will be an ethereal existence, garbed in garbage.  Once the title was determined, the girls had visions of shoes, big eyelashes, and motorized thingamajigs....we get dreamy on the design floor.

While the details I provide in the coming months will be limited to techniques, you get a sneak peek at our jacket destination from our inspiration photo.  Lydia learned how to make chains with packaging from Blue Apron.  The volume created from this technique will certainly make our model waif-like.  The goal is for bigger presence than the body provides.  I just can't wait to see how this looks on the catwalk!

This group will meet each fourth Friday, with some dates added for flavor (meaning extra work time).  We have gotten off to a great start, even with less students than previous years. To catch up on recent designs, read up on our impressive entry from 2016.  It WoWed! the audience!!!

2017 Fashion Club Schedule

We meet again to work, work, work, work, work just 6 more times before the big event on June 3.  Check back often to see our progress--at least up-close detailed shots of our progress.  This is really a top secret project until revealed on the catwalk.  Get your ticket and enjoy the fun evening in store.

Until next time...thanks for visiting!

-erica

Recycled Runway Fashion Show 2016

Recycled Runway Fashion Show 2016 was a SPLENDID SUCCESS!!!  All models, designers and assistants involved helped create a beautiful show of local talent.

Recycled Runway 2016 Finale

As the months have passed since we started our Friday Fashion Club series in January, you have been allowed to follow some snippets of our design progress.  This was our first program recap.

Water bottles, cardboard circles, yarn, glue and staples

This image was just a sneak peek at the design we submitted for jury.  We knew with only 5 sessions, 1.5 hours each, our hands had to work FAST to finish our fashion.  From January through May, we chipped away at the design requirements and I am pleased to FINALLY reveal the results.

Three of our nine young designers entered their own fashion to the jury and were also selected!  These fanciful beauties were proud to prove their ability to our communtiy.

Christina is a second year designer.

"The Writing Woman"

Christina took her second year design from a writer's perspective.  With assistance from a model mentor, her design took flare fit for the runway.

"Twins in a Bag"

Nicole and Leila designed their fashion from Target shopping bags.  These bags have been a favorite medium of years past, but they have never been seen in a twin pack.  This was also Nicole's second year design, but she recruited her best friend as a first year designer.

Here is a view of these veteran designers from 2015.  As you can see, a year makes a big difference.  These ladies took their designs to a new level in their second year designs!

Please note, the marvelous Strinni Studio sponsors this beautiful event.

Last year, the SSC Library Fashion Club strutted the runway with this 1920's inspired dress.

Read more about this style in Catch Us on the Runway.

Our lovely Sarah traveled the catwalk for the Fashion Club's first year design.  Oddly, we had another Sarah strut her stuff in 2016.  And without further ado, I introduce you to the "Age of Reason."

(drummmmmmm rolllllll pleassssssssse.......)

"The Age of Reason"

"The Age of Reason" was inspired by 18th Century garb and created with dozens of water bottles used for hydration during Family Movie Matinees. They were shaped around a hula hoop for structure, then stapled and secured into a skirt.  The top is made from card board circles, which were layered with multiple colors of yarn and glue.

This mess became the top to "Age of Reason"

The hair was inspired by the big wigs of the 18th century, think Marie Antoinette.  This image surfaced about the same time as our Friday Fashion Club began and we knew the hair was the direction we needed to travel!

Although Marie Antoinette and 18th century fashion was our inspiration, we wanted our lady to keep her head!  These models arrive on scene nearly 9 hours before the runway begins.  There is dressing room assignment, assistants need to arrive, details need to be dealt, lunch needs to be served.  Designs are tested, rehearsals smooth out kinks in various angles, sweat accumulates, and the day drags on....in a good way!  There is no cake to eat, but plenty of excitement and activity. By the time the actual show begins, all nerves are set aside and relief takes over.  Everyone sees the finale just beyond the horizon.  Each model takes to the catwalk with their best moves and the audience approves EVERYTHING!

Backstage, waiting for the show to begin

This is a great experience for any designer or fashion forward follower of any age. The best part of the Friday Fashion Club is supporting these budding career and hobby interests and directing the energies into a professional outlet. Families involved absolutely adore seeing their loved ones on stage.  We were lucky to even have the local news station on hand hosting interviews and taking video.  Please enjoy our design on stage in this video link.

Please pay close attention at 1:30 into the video...THERE WE ARE!  TA-DA!!!

Another year, another success.

The Program is the Proof

You might find another name you recognize a few lines down.  If you seek, you may find proof of this blogger strutting down on the catwalk as a spider.  

Check back soon for more program coverage.  Summer is approaching along with lots of fun.  If you like costumes, comic cons, cooking, art, technology, reading, and games, keep your radar right here.  We have you covered!!!

Fashion Club...continued

Fashion Club is steadily designing with trash.  This is the second design group from the Southeast Steuben County Library to participate in the annual Recycled Runway Fashion Show, a benefit for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.  Each fourth Friday, from January through May 2016, the group will finalize their juried design to perfection until it is exposed on the catwalk.

Mess o' Materials

The trouble with reporting the fun we're having in the program is the desire to show off our progress, while keeping you all intrigued and interested enough to support every designers' efforts and purchase a ticket to the show.  Remember: the fashion show is a benefit fundraiser for our local ARTS Council.  Although we are training young ladies and gents to think and work creatively, we are also participating in a much larger effort, so please--support our local ARTS scene.

Gimme Your Water Bottles!

The main elements of our design are the clear plastic water bottles used to hydrate our patrons during movies and other programs.  These get recycled every month after Family and Adult movies.  There is a 5 cent deposit on these containers, which makes them more valuable than most trash in our state, but they are so plentiful in supply, we needed to re-purpose them for our design.  

Curly hair?

"The Age of Reason" is the title of our design.  We are going BIG!   Big hair and big dress.  Curls, height volume--we need it ALL!

BIG Hair

There are many directions to go, but teases are the only direction I will take you...until the catwalk. 

Yarn circle elements

Yarn and cardboard circles are the other elements in our design.  Yarn is always donated to the library, so we have an over abundance.  The cardboard circles are also a donation that is scrap from a local production company.

Here we go 'round in circles

It feels like we are working around a Mulberry Bush, 'round and 'round we go.  Strong staples and dedicated hands get this job done.

Bit o' Bottle

These bottles have grown into a tower and the piece is not even complete.  I just love the way these beauties seem to suspend in mid air.

Our designers are having a great time working together toward our goal.  The program series is past the halfway mark and the Fashion Show is just over 2 months away!  

This means I better get working on my own piece.  That's right, I have my own Trashcan Fashion piece in development.  Make sure you get a ticket to the show...I'll look for you in the crowd.

Check back next month for more snippets of our design and remarkable pieces from last year.