Category Archives: Design

Celebrate Sustainable Practices – 2020 Business Challenge Posted

Posted on by

Click here to access the 2020 Business Challenge Runway Gallery

Photo: Jazmine Turner Photography

As individual community members we have a responsibility to think about our choices and take actions to minimize our impact on the earth, but it is exponentially important for businesses to do the same. Poor waste management contributes to climate change, air pollution, and directly affects ecosystems and species. Reducing the carbon footprint of their products, creating initiatives to help employees reduce their impact, producing a climate conscious workplace, are all ways that businesses can step up their sustainability.

That’s why we love the Rubbish Renewed Business Challenge! We get to highlight the sustainable work of local businesses who take their impact seriously.

Each year a group of businesses come together to celebrate sustainability, support Realms education, and compete for the Coveted Trash Trophy.

Celebrate the 2020 Business Challenge Runway participants through the captivating photos of Jazmine Turner Photography’s Mindy J. Turner and SHE Photography’s Suzette Hibble!

Photo: SHE Photography

We’re Back! Date Announced

Posted on by

New Season . . . Spring . . . Saturday, May 20th 2023!

The revival of Rubbish Renewed creates opportunities. One of these inspired a new season, Spring. Spring offers fresh venue ideas, novel designs, and more time for motivated student and adult designers to conceptualize and construct.

The design, creation, and application are a months-long process for designers to engage in and learn about waste, personal actions, design, creation skills, and determination, culminating in the professional feel of the show!

Just 4 months away. What will you create?

Save the Date: Saturday, May 20th 2023! Submission deadline one month before

Electrifying Trash Fashion – 2020 Adult Gallery Posted

Posted on by

Click here to access the 2020 Adult Runway Gallery

Photo: SHE Photography
Photo: Jazmine Turner Photography

Rubbish Renewed has developed into a showcase for talented community artists. Many designers submit year after year inspired to up their game in sustainability, material manipulation, and style each event. Pieces tell a variety of stories like the challenges of medical waste, excessive packaging from our mail order and coffee on-the-go obsessions, and how to transform discards into truly wearable art.

Check out these electrifying trash fashion pieces on the 2020 runway through Jazmine Turner Photography’s Mindy J. Turner and SHE Photography’s Suzette Hibble’s compelling photos!

Who’s your favorite Rubbish Renewed Designer? What will they create for the 2023 Spring Show?

Photo: SHE Phototgraphy

Years 4-5: The History of Rubbish Renewed

Posted on by

In 2013, the Century Center broke up the space we had been using, and Rubbish Renewed set out to find another home. Bend is lacking in large open event venues, and after countless failures, finally we procured the Armory Gym down near the Old Mill. The location was ideal, close for walking, and dedicated parking. The Gym atmosphere, however, was hard to transform, and the military systems challenging to negotiate. We moved the venue and rescheduled the event to January 2014.

 
 
 
Designer: Vanessa Granger Materials: Chip bags
Designer: Olivia Rose Barnes Materials: Biking materials and parts Quote: “I learned that trash is never gone but with some creativity we can make magic happen!”
Designer:

Photos by Tambi Lane photography

Year 4: Of 46 Central Oregon designers submitting garments, 23 of them were students from 9 local schools (3 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools). Rubbish Renewed had taken its spot as a place where young, inspired designers had a chance to try their hand at a public runway event! Not only had Rubbish Renewed become an outlet for students around the district, locals were taking ownership of the event too! Beyond designers we had 21 sponsors, 9 Business Challenge participants, 11 local vendors, 60+ volunteers!

 
 
 
Serial Designer: Kelly Powell Model: Sasha Lawless Materials: Fused plastic bags
The “Tentalizing” Tarpaulin Designer: Karen Holm Model: Marley Weedman Materials: Old Blue Tarps
Wild Warrior Dog Woman Designer: Simone Kujak Model: Robbie Bianchi Materials: Plastic Feed Bags

Photos by Tambi Lane photography

Year 5: The 5th annual Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion show was the best ever! More fun, more energy and more style. With professional sponsors like Sonic Solution generating our runway and lights, Flip Flop Sounds creating the shows background buzz, with the nimble hands of the stylists from Bishops Barbershop and Velvet finessing our bar, our humble beginnings had blossomed into a full blown anticipated event. We saw just under 1000 people in our 2 shows (students, adults & business) and they rose to the challenge, keeping a passion for the planet front and center! Our trash for the night is highlighted in the photo below! (Everything else was reused, recycled, or composted).

Designer Profile: Jessica Browning

Posted on by

Jessica Browning created her first garment for Rubbish Renewed as a 7th grader in 2014. Since that time, her complexity of design has soared. When I think of Jessica as a designer, its her masterfully marrying sustainable stories with intricate material manipulation. Learn more about Jessica  and her vision in this designer profile.

Designer/Model: Jessica Browning in the 2019 Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show Photo: SHE Photography

RR: What do you do in real life when you are not designing?

JB: I am a manager at Joanne Fabrics as well as a full-time college student pursuing a transfer of Arts degree. I hope to become an illustrator. When I’m not working or at school, I spend my free time drawing and sewing. I run a business through Etsy where I make and sell dice bags (for players of dungeons and dragons). I also enjoy playing Magic the Gathering with my friends and playing video games when I have the time.

RR: How did you become a trash fashion designer?

JB: Going to REALMS for middle school taught me a lot about climate change and sustainability. It became something I was really interested in. When I heard there was a chance for kids to make creations and show them on a runway, my mind was blown. Not only did I have a chance to create something amazing, but it also showcased something I care about. The first two outfits I made were… interesting to say the least. They weren’t technically my creations. It was a collaboration between my brain and my mom. Finally, she gave me the sewing machine and said your turn. From then on, I have made and modeled my garments and it’s always the highlight of my year.

 
 

Designer: Jessica Browning Materials: Plastic newspaper bags Quote: “I really had to think outside the box because finding useful trash materials is harder than using store bought materials.”
Who Let the Dogs Out Designer: Jessica Browning Materials: Dog food bags

RR: What inspires your creations? 

JB: When creating a garment, I don’t really go for just anything. It takes a while to brainstorm materials. I have always tended to drift towards plastic things: Plastic bags, newspaper bags, chip bags, sandwich bags etc. Single use plastics. I gravitate towards these because out of everything someone can do to help and be more sustainable is to cut these single use plastics. There are so many better fabric alternatives. Oregon has taken a great step in fixing this with its ban on plastic bags. So, it’s usually the story behind a material that inspires my creation. A great example is my dress titled Plastic Ocean. I had gone to the beach, one of my family’s favorite spots, and was disappointed by the amount of garbage I found. I took a garbage bag and picked up pieces as we walked along. Then I made them into a dress!

 
 

RR: Describe your design process?

JB: Once I have my material it gets to my favorite part, designing! I sketch up several designs taking in the give of the material and how it will lay. Thinking of different ways to manipulate it. Once I decide on a design I start to create!

RR: What is something you want to share with aspiring trash fashion designers? 

JB: You are never too young! You might need a lot of help and guidance, but if you are determined then your only limit is your imagination. So, shoot for the stars! Find something you are passionate about and create!

 
Simply Math

Competitors for the 2020 Business Challenge are signing up!

Posted on by

Competitors for the 2020 Business Challenge are signing up! Click on the photo below to learn more about last year’s Business Challenge through Jazmine Turner Photography’s stunning photos. Click HERE to go to her website for more images from all of last year’s show!

Photos by Jazmine Turner Photography

Thank You 2019 Show Designers!

Posted on by

Announcing the coming season’s RUBBISH RENEWED ECO FASHION SHOW:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020!

Photos by Suzette Hibble of SHE Photography. Pictured Designs: Kiana Kogan, Amanda Bowers, Wendy Pierce & Devon Stevens, Devon Lizza.

Thank you student designers for your creativity, passion for fashion and our planet, and for shining in the show! You are what makes Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show unique, entertaining, and meaningful.

Aja Kogan, Alice McKnight, Amanda Bowers, Coral Reed, Devon Lizza, Devon Stevens, Ellie Hoiness, Gabriella Shirtcliff, Harper Rich, Holiday Barnes, Jessica Browning, Kiana Kogan, Lily McNabb, Loa Minsker, Louisa, Chloe, Lucy Lamarre, Harris, Mullins, Marley Foster-Wexler, Matea LaFrenz, Noe Anderson, Soli Lachman, Sophie Singer, Soren Chopra, Twyla Wayman, Vinna Ottaviano

Photos by Suzette Hibble of SHE Photography. Pictured Designs: Denise Oldridge, Carla Holm, Mayra Stearns, Allison Murphy.

Thank you adult designers for your stunning designs, refined material manipulation, imaginative style, and dedication to the Rubbish Renewed mission. The 2019 show rocked the house!

Alf Humphrey, Allison Murphy, Aspen Lowe, BBT Architects Inc, Brenda Jackson, Carla Holm, DeeDee Johnson, Denise Oldridge, Erin Donnell, Harriet Langmas, Heidi Lamb, Janet Lansburgh, Jen Riker, Karen Holm, Kari Martinez, Kat Bergman, Kristi Teasdale, Martha Campbell, Mayra Stearns, Meg Knight, Melany Fry, Michelle Handford, Paris Draheim, Patty Baragona, Rob West, Ruby Swanson, Simone Kujak, Susan Galeck, Tenley Wallace, Therese Langley, Tiina McDermott, Wendy Pierce, Zoey Lane.

Thank you Sponsors. You made it possible to showcase these amazing designs that transform trash, inspire community for a more sustainable earth!

Who will you cast your Business Challenge ballot for?

Posted on by

Nine local businesses are putting their trash fashion creativity to the test by competing in this year’s Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show’s 8th Business Challenge. Each year a group of businesses come together to celebrate sustainability, support REALMS education, and compete for the Coveted Trash Trophy.  Bring your friends and your voting block, to support your pick to win the Business Challenge!

Returning businesses:

The Bend Area Habitat for Humanities Restore – The fashion forward trash fashionistas from ReStore bring us their 8th Business Challenge.  This dedicated team have competed every year, and currently hold the Coveted Trash Trophy! ReStore certainly embodies the notion of sustainability as a way of life.

BarrioBarrioCrop – In for their 3rd Business Challenge, Save the Bull, is a matador inspired piece made from garbage bound items from Barrio’s restaurant. Before switching tBBT design concepto paper straws, the staff collected used plastic straws from empty margaritas over a few months period. Photo just in! We know designer Paris Draheim, is a master material manipulator!

BBT Architects – This group of creative folks are competing in their 3rd challenge. They bring material manipulation at its best. This photo (to the right) is a computer generated concept image of what is to come, all created out of IMG_9800post rebranding, obsolete, business cards.

Brave Collective – Jen Riker, owner of Brave Collective, was inspired when she accompanied her son on the Realms 6th grade fieldwork trip to the Portland Food Bank. In their 2nd Business Challenge they have created their piece out of plastic red mesh onion bags and labels.

IMG_6062

Giant Loop – For their 2nd Business Challenge, the Giant Loop team created this 20’s and 60’s inspired shift dress from over 100 2-inch ykk zippers, nylike webbing, quick release cams and assorted buckles and reflective ribbon tape. This fabulous ensembles purpose is to encourage you to shift your thinking into a greener world.

Moonfire and Sun – is back for it’s 2nd Business Challenge with another Simone Kujak created piece. We’ve seen Simone transform rubbish into red carpet ready fashion from our early shows. This year, garden waste from  broken pottery and burlap to rubber bands from pottery packaging will come alive on the runway.

New this year:

IMG_2174

Bend Velo – As the bike commuting and touring hub of Bend, Bend Velo not only by their very nature, screams sustainability (keeping cars off the road), they also create the classy J Livingston line of retro commuter bikes re-purposed from old mountain bike frames. Designer Karen Holm designed “Raven Warrior” from the RR5biggest bike related waste . . . the inner tubes.

Bigfoot Beverages – For their first Business Challenge, seasoned designer/model, DeeDee Johnson created a piece out of beverage packaging. Big Foot has a small environmental footprint for a business its size. They converted their fleet to biodiesel fuel, use electric IMG951818forklifts, and hybrid vehicles are available to sales personnel.

Lonza – “Rubbish Royalty” is Lonza’s first foray into Rubbish Renewed fashion. This is the most enthusiastic team, creating 3 pieces with 5 designers! The leading supplier in life science industries, and the research center of the company, we love that they are placing sustainability at the core.

Who will you cast your Business Challenge ballot for?

This is just a sneak peak of what is to come this Friday Night at the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. Get your tickets today!

 

Rubbish Renewed 1st Auction Remembered

Posted on by

Designing a piece with my dad was on my bucket list. So, I came up with an idea using old canvas from a deteriorating, retired tipi to create a 19th century style chief’s coat. With the huge amount of material available in the shelter, even though riddled with holes, plenty was structural. Dad happened to have an historical piece he received from an old friend, that was the perfect model to inspire the style. From that, I created a mock up in my build-first-pattern-later technique. Dad’s part was to draw plains pictograph style horse and riders, reminiscent of dew cloth designs from the same time period, with Sharpie the preferred medium. I finished the body and delivered it to Seattle. While I waited for its return, I adorned the placket with geometric patterns typical of parfleche designs, also with sharpie, and painted the cuffs and collar in rich, royal blue.

Title: Sunwise      Designers: Karen Holm and Bill Holm     

Designers: Karen & Bill Holm Materials: Old Tipi Canvass
Joe David and Bill Holm visiting at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle

The piece came together in time for our first marketing photo shoot at Tambi Lane Photography. My 19-year-old nephew had moved to Bend from Belgium, and I strong-armed him into modeling the piece. We selected a small group of pieces to auction and made sure to photograph them. The pictures out on social media, I peppered friends with emails, knowing that something as unique as this, with my dad as one of the artist’s, could be an auction highlight. Luckily, I knew people who would want and appreciate the piece, what I didn’t understand, was there were Bendites who would bid big too!

The runway show tops the charts for style and fun, but remember it’s a fundraiser. The pieces presented for auction are donated by the generosity of artists in order to support REALMS! Come and bid to win a one-of-a-kind, wearable and displayable art piece!

Over our 8 years, Karen Holm’s pieces have raised more than $8,000 for REALMS unique education and are in collections from British Columbia to Bend.

Get your tickets today for the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show, Friday January 25th, 2019

 

Ruby Swanson Designer Profile

Posted on by

Ruby found Rubbish Renewed in 2011 with “River Trash,” a crazy mash up of, you got it, river trash. But when I think of Ruby as a designer, it’s sleek style that she brings to our show. We can’t wait to see what she has in store this year! Learn more about Ruby and her vision in this designer profile.

RubbishRenewed_Runway_2015-6652 copy

2015 – Stay Toastie at the Game; Materials: Vintage wool blanket; Photo by Tambi Lane

RR: What do I do in real life?

RS: My profession is Dental Hygienist (adore my job). For play time I alpine ski in winter, hike, bike, whitewater kayaking/rafting and fly fish etc. and travel when I can. Basically, live the Central Oregon dream!

RR: What hooked you on the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show Event?

RS: I love sewing and creating costumes. Halloween is my favorite “holiday”. I grew up with parents that both worked in Hollywood (Disney and Walter Lance studios) in the 50s. That was a big part of the fun times we had our whole life.

RR: What inspires your creations?

RS: I mostly like to work with fabric and reconstruction creating pieces that are truly

IMG_0694

2016 – Mountain Splendor: Materials: Old wool blanket, yarn, leather, yard debris; Photo by Joy Mitsui

wearable. I worked in theater costumes and much of what we did was reconstruction due to a limited budget. Talk about the need to be creative! Necessity is the mother of invention.

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

RS: With all the problems in our world with waste and consumerism it’s important to re-purpose and be creative. It’s also important to be your authentic self. What better way than to express yourself through fashion. Much of the worlds high fashion has been inspired by young people! Be the new “look”!

RR: What is your current goal as a fashion designer?

RS: Its always been about what fills my heart and soul. It’s about fun!