Behind the Scene Designer Series: Artist 4 – Paula Bullwinkel

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

When Paula Bullwinkel, our 4^th Behind the Scene Designer, isn’t designing couture trash fashion, she works as an artist and art instructor at COCC. I’m always blown away by the strong lines that flow through Paula’s designs. She get’s the human form, and from this, transforms the materials into an extension of the wearer. Here’s a peak into Paula’s process of transforming trash and inspiring community for a more sustainable earth.

(link to 1^st of the series) (link to 2nd of the series) (link to 3rd of the series)

Artist 4 – Paula Bullwinkel

Designer: Paula Bullwinkle
Materials. 7 old oil paintings

RR: How did you get started as a trash fashion designer?

PB: I found extra stuff around my house and I like to imagine something new out of something old or mundane.

RR: What inspires your creations?

PB: I’m inspired by Japanese couture from 1980’s and 1990’s, and 1950’s party dresses.

RR: What is one thing you want to say to all the aspiring young designers?

PB: Art can be wearable.

RR: What is your current goal as a Trash Fashion Designer?

Designers: Paula & Violet Bullwinkle
Materials: Skirt; Brown Grocery Bags, Shirt; Old Tights

PB: I would like to find some really unusual materials in a junk or thrift shop to make something nobody has seen before. I would like to construct something huge and gorgeous.

There’s no question in my mind that Paula Bullwinkel will “construct something huge and gorgeous” for this year’s Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. Come out and get a glimpse on Thursday, January 15^th.

Tickets on sale December 15th. Purchase online at rubbishrenewed.com through eventbrite, at REALMS Charter School in Bend (63175 OB Riley Road), or at Wabi Sabi (downtown Bend / 830 NW Wall St).

Behind the Scene Designer Series: Artist 3 – N Spekktor

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Our third artist in the Behind the Scene Designer Series, N Spekktor, has participated in Rubbish Renewed every year since 2010. N Spekktor is one of the few Rubbish Renewed artists who works as a fashion designer, in real life, outside of her passion for trash fashion. Each year she’s produced a spectacular piece for our 21 and older show. Last year N Spekktor generously donated her piece, Bags to Ballroom, for our live auction. We can’t wait to see what N Spekktor has in store for this year’s event that is transforming trash and inspiring community for a more sustainable earth.

(link to 1^st post of the series) (link to 2nd post of the series)

Designer: N. Spekktor
Materials: Plastic grocery bags

Artist 3 – N Spekktor

RR: What do you do in real life when you’re not designing and creating trash fashion?

N Spekktor: I’m a Fashion/Graphic Designer, Event Coordinator, and Co-Producer of Beat Lab 92.9 FM. Over the past year I have traveled throughout the west coast showcasing my first ever swimsuit line and taking on collaborative projects with other designers such as Burning Artist Collective in Reno, NV.

RR: What hooked you on our Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show event?

N Spekktor: I heard about this wonderful show from a friend and loved the cause. Not only do I get to play a part in Eco Fashion, but I get to support an amazing school.

Designer: N Spekktor
Materials: Newspaper & plastic garbage bags

RR: What inspires your creations?

N Spekktor: Each year I have created a different look using a variety of materials. This year I will be collaborating with a local business to create something that has never been on the Rubbish Renewed Runway.

RR: What is one thing you want to say to all the aspiring young designers?

N Spekktor: No matter how much they bully you or try to hold you back, please remember only you know what you are truly capable of. Don’t ever let anyone stop you. I did it and so can you.

The 5^th annual Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show welcomes N Spekktor into the Business Challenge competition as the designer for Stringsoil garment this season! Thanks N Spekktor for your dedication to sustainability through your creative fashion vision. We can’t wait to see what you pull out of the midden.

Behind the Scene Designer Series: Artist 2 – Sara Wiener & Karlin Hedin

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

For our second artist, in our Behind the Scene Designer Series, we have the design team from S ara Bella Upcycled: Sara Wiener & Karlin Hedin. Sara Bella Upcycled has been a supporter of Rubbish Renewed since our inception when Sara donated bags for under the seat prizes. Each year Sara Bella Upcycled has participated as a Marketplace Vendor, Adult Designer or Business Challenge Designer. We love having this creative team transforming trash, inspiring community for a sustainable earth.

(link to 1^st post of the series)

Artist 2 – Sara Wiener & Karlin Hedin

SARA BELLA UPCYCLED Business Challenge
Materials: shoe rubber
Photo: Tambi Lane Photography

RR: What do you do in real life when you’re not designing and creating trash fashion?

SB: Mom, ski, workout, run Sara Bella Upcycled

RR: How did you get started as a trash fashion designer?

SB: I opened Sara Bella Upcycled and decided to make wearable pieces out of plastic bags.

RR: What inspires your creations?

SB: Various types of everyday clothing and event specific clothing, such as a wedding dresses, raincoats, chaps, vests, strapless dresses and boustiers, inspire me. Karlin and I collaborate on our designs. I design the fabric and she sews the garment. We work as a team on all of our creations at Sara Bella Upcycled and we love what we do.

RR: What is your current goal as a Trash Fashion Designer?

SB: My hope is to get enough plastic wrap from the SHE (Sustainable Health Enterprises) menstrual pads packaging to make a fashion piece out of. This would be a special way of acknowledging the amazing work SHE does in Rwanda for girls and women and to acknowledge my daughter’s (Bella) work to raise $50-60 thousand dollars for SHE through the Kilimanjaro SHE Climb in June of 2015.

Materials: Fused plastic bags
Photo: Tambi Lane Photography

This year Bend’s Mak ers District is one of three headline sponsors for Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. The Makers District, located on First and Second streets between Greenwood and Olney avenues, is a collection of local companies in a semi-industrial but accessible city neighborhood. Sara Bella Upcycled is part of this inspired District.

Follow the links below for two other inspired trash fashion pieces created by Sara Bella Upcycled for Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. 2011, 2010

Behind the Scene Designer Series: Artist 1 – Tiina McDermott

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

It’s the trash fashion that IS the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. Without it, there would be no event. Each designer brings his or her unique passion, inspiration, and creativity, but no matter their differences, a common bond lingers: transforming trash, inspiring community for a sustainable earth.

This season on our blog, we’ll showcase some of our artists in our Behind the Scene Designer Series. Enjoy the journey into the midden with trash fashionistas!

Artist 1 – Tiina McDermott

RR: What do you do in real life when you’re not designing and creating trash fashion?

Designer: Tiina McDermott
Materials: Dirt bike inner tubes
Photo: Tambi Lane Photography

TM: I’m a student at COCC and a mom, while working part time.

RR: How did you get started as a trash fashion designer?

TM: I had a friend bring me a bunch of inner tubes, because she was troubled by always tossing them away while working at a local sport shop. She told me I was creative and thought I should be able to come up with something. That’s exactly what I did. Starting with figuring out how to clean the tubes, and then all I had to do was to create something.

RR: What hooked you on our Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show event?

TM: Three years ago I was involved with the marketplace and found that I wanted to participate with the fashion show part more. So, I found a model and started getting into it the last two years.

RR: What inspires your creations?

TM: My daughter is my first inspiration, and I love being sustainable. Working with a material like inner tubes, teaches me to be flexible.

Designer: Tiina McDermott
Materials: Dirt bike inner tubes
Photo: Tambi Lane Photography

The 5^th annual Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show is thrilled to welcome Tiina into the Business Challenge competition as the designer for Aspect Boards & Brews’ garment this season! Thanks Tiina for all you bring to the show. We can’t wait to see your trash transformation this year.

2014 Business Challenge Gallery posted!

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

ReStore

Check out the newly posted Business Challenge Gallery from last year’s business participants in the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. Diverse materials manipulated into creative designs from a group of talented trash fashion artists featuring refuse from local, sustainably-minded businesses! Enjoy the photos by Tambi Lane Photography.

Panambi Elliott in Cascade A&E

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

The talented trash fashion designer Panambi Elliot is featured in the January issue of Cascade A&E. Go to Cascade A&E, click on this months cover and flip to page 23 to learn more about Panambi’s rise to trash trophy glory! Not only is Panambi a talented designer, she has supported Rubbish Renewed with her artistic hair styling – transforming models into runway rarities. Panambi, you rock!

Craft-O Holiday Bazaar at The Old Ironworks Arts District – Debris Demolisher

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Rubbish Renewed

This weekend throngs of discerning holiday shoppers will flood The Old Ironworks Arts District for the third annual Craft-O Holiday Bazaar. This is the perfect opportunity to shop local and support artists in your gift giving this year! The Workhouse, Cindercone Clay Center, Studio 3, Stuarts of Bend and Cement Elegance will all house dedicated artisans and craftsman who have bulked up their locally crafted inventory for our purchasing pleasure. Browse, socialize, snack, and buy on this Saturday and Sunday at Craft-O! As a bonus, Rubbish Renewed will be on hand creating the community garment and offering the first glimpse at this years show!

2012 Business Challenge

Stop by the Old Ironworks Arts District not just at Craft-O, but any day. Quickly becoming Bend’s hippest arts district with a collective of artists, makers, and businesses. “Built in 1912 to service Bend’s Lumber Mills and Railroad, The Ironworks Arts District is now home to Cement Elegance, Cindercone Clay Center, Modern Fab, Stuart’s of Bend, The Sparrow Bakery, Studio 3, Sunlight Solar, AND The Workhouse.”

Participating in Rubbish Renewed from the early days, this year The Old Ironworks Arts District is supporting REALMS as a sponsor, competing in the Business Challenge, and will have a spot in our marketplace!

Part 1: Remember 2012 . . .

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Rubbish Renewed

Remember year 3 . . .

When we had 19 inspiring garments designed and made by students?
- 3 by elementary school students
- 12 by middle school students
- 4 by high school students
When 2 of the 8 business challenge garments were made by 2 of our talented student designers?
When the list of student materials included:
- Lots of candy wrappers
- Bubble wrap
- Race bib numbers
- Award ribbons
- Window screen
- Shower curtain
- Newspaper
- Tissue paper
- & Bags & bags
  - Canvas grocery bags
  - Plastic grocery bags
  - Ramen bags
  - Dog food bags
  - Paella bags
  - Coffee bags

Check out the new Gallery, Runway 2012 Student Designers, featuring all the student garments from last year!

NEW DATE: Thursday, January 16th, 2014

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Rubbish Renewed

This winter’s Rubbish Renewed Eco-Fashion Show Thursday, January 16th, 2014

With the loss of the Century Center as an indoor event venue, Rubbish Renewed set out, last spring, on a quest for a new space. We explored dozens of spots, all with different assets and challenges. Although not quite ready to reveal our decision, we have narrowed our search to several intriguing locations. This exciting announcement is imminent.

The venue search has created the opportunity for us to try a less hectic time that we always wondered about. January16^th has many of the desirable aspects of our December date. We are holding onto our coveted, winter Thursday; late enough in the week for a good party, but doesn’t conflict with weekend getaways. Our pre-show photo shoot will happen again with a chance for a sneak peak prior to the event (also to be revealed soon).

A January date offers new prospects too. Later in the winter allows artists more time creating. For me, I loathe to be inside during the summer and fall, when I need to be starting my garments. As the weather changes the sewing cave calls. Artists often have numerous opportunities at the holidays to showcase their wares; January opens up new timing in an often-slow month. January is also a lull in “our” social calendar, a time when a festive, fashion forward affair will entice the community out to play.

So, take a breath. Enjoy the extra time. And look forward to our upcoming venue announcement. And for Artist, Business Challenge prospects, and Marketplace vendors, paperwork will be posted Monday, October 14th on our blog under the submission forms tab.

Save the date! Thursday, January 16^th, 2014

Virtual Inspiration

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Rubbish Renewed

The turn in the weather here in Bend initiates a switch in my brain to focus on some of the inside passions I’ve been neglecting. The crisp air, the sudden deluge of rain, the yellow-orange sumac leaves in my yard get me thinking about texture, color & design.

Last week, with a mug of mint tea in hand, I logged onto my laptop and began scrolling through my Pinterest “boards.” Although I don’t have a TV, nor a cell phone, I do love my internet.

I started with texture as my first “board” on Pinterest, a place where I store images I’ve snatched from others that inspire the sense of touch. Another topic in my collection is color, storage for visually vibrant pictures, and a third “board” focuses on positive and negative space. I use these virtual “boards” to gather and hold inspiration. I also “pin” fashion. Dresses, details, rubbish, all of it.

Access to inspiration has skyrocketed with the Internet offering instant gratification. It’s transformed my process. However, I did just buy a massive fashion magazine. There’s something about flipping through the glossy pages, cutting my fingers, and the perfume sneezes that make me smile.

The last few evenings after work I’ve been down in my sewing cavern, a mug of hot tea on the shelf, an audio book playing in the background, my Pinterest “boards” open, exploring materials, shapes, color and design. Getting inspired.