Some of us, even though we only surface once a year for Rubbish Renewed, acknowledge being a trash fashion designer is part of our identity. It’s the thrill we get from discovering the essence of a newly found type of waste; a design unfolding from an idea complicated by its merging with an unlikely material; the hours of deconstructing a material to get to its core then create something completely new. The mind time is monumental and extraordinarily satisfying.
Enjoy the work of these trash fashionistas in the2026 Adult Garment Gallery, some finding the fun of design for the first time, and the rest of us resigned to being lifers in the trash fashion design world.
Student designers and their pieces are the heart of Rubbish Renewed! With 25 garments by 30 designers from 14 different Central Oregon schools this year’s runway sparked with a diversity of materials. From Mylar party waste and aluminum can pull tabs to crocheted kern (the inside strands of climbing rope), it was material manipulation at it’s best! But beyond the creative design, unique mediums, and care for the planet, it’s the community developed through workshops, school visits, the pre-show practice, greenroom styling frenzy, and space to just be with each other. There’s nothing like the backstage magic that comes alive on the runway. Explore the 2026 student garment gallery showcased in photos by Joe Kline, Jen Lee Photography, and Bruce Couch, and feel the heart of Rubbish Renewed.
The challenge of capturing an event like the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show with multiple subjects, diverse action, changing light, and difficult vantage points takes a strong and creative photography team. We are lucky to have an incredible group of professionals who volunteer their time to shoot the event: Jen Lee Photographytaking portraits before the runway, capturing clear images of each piece and some with designers; Joe Kline’s atmospheric runway photos, seizing the essence of the show; Bruce Couchexperimenting with movement, angle, and light; and Maddie Phillips capturing the magic behind the curtain. This year we also had a few photographers focused on documenting behind the scenes and the essence of the event. Rob Wooldridge, a Realms teacher, led a team of student photographers (Lila, Jordan, and Nolan). Check out the magic captured by the photos below giving a sneak peak into upcoming galleries and posts.
What a night! The 14th Annual Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show came to life because of people like you — and we are genuinely grateful.
The evening was warm, the crowd energized, and the runway electric! Rubbish Renewed has always been about interconnecting with community through art, sustainability, learning, and inspiration. This year more than ever this feeling came alive! The active and fun atmosphere from the textile trash tunnel entry and trash art creation station in the lawn, the makers and interactive booths, the local libations, to the mesmerizing trash fashion show!
Thank you sponsors, thank you Bend! We simply couldn’t have done it without you!
LONG COAT SHORT SKIRTDesigner: Martha Campbell Model: Rona Campbell Photo:Bruce Couch
This year, more than 700 community members gathered to celebrate student designers from 14 Central Oregon schools (3rd grade to an OSU Cascades class project), alongside adult designers new to the runway, some back from pre-covid times, and some who’ve been with us from the start. Together, they transformed trash into something breathtaking. Your support made sure that stage existed.
Rubbish Renewed is a mindset, something to engage in long before and after the show. It’s all designed to spark a different relationship with waste, one that inspires action. And because of your support, we raised $28,000 for REALMS Schools, whose mission to foster scholarship, strengthen community, and inspire stewardship through active learning aligns beautifully with everything Rubbish Renewed stands for.
We say it every year because it’s true every year: this is not just a fashion show, and not just a fundraiser. It is proof that when people with a shared belief show up for something bigger than themselves, something remarkable happens.
The 2026 Business Challenge showcased 9 incredible pieces created by talented trash fashion designers and material manipulators all dedicated to sustainable practices. BBT Architects – Sherry Jako;Fashion Workshop– Qristy Kurtz;Gear Fix – Nico Brilmyer, Kate Weatherholtz;Lonza – Thyia Scott, Nahi Ortiz, Alden Dupras and Kari D’Angona;Mountain Burger– Kelly Powell;QuiltSmart– Mattie Rhoades;ReGroup Thrift/ReCoHere – Tanner Stonerock;Restore – DeeDee Johnson; and Subaru of Bend – Brenda Jackson, gave it their all and showed us how thinking outside of the box with materials can uplift sustainability through creativity and fun. It was the closest audience vote ever!
And the winner is…. ReStore, with Circuit Couture, taking home the 2026 Rubbish Renewed Coveted Trash Trophy! Congratulations ReStore!
ReStore – Circuit Couture – Auction Item! Designer:DeeDee JohnsonModel:Lynoa Blakely. This vest-skirt ensemble is made from discarded computer motherboards, broken keyboards, tattered banners, flags, t-shirt rags, and salvaged strapping, textured with wire, beads, buttons and broken chandelier parts.
In just 4 days, come celebrate with the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show transforming trash, inspiring community for a sustainable earth. It’s more than a trash fashion show it’s an experience, a mindset, a community transformation. Buy your tickets today and come to the event on Saturday, May 9th and experience:
An Electrifying Trash Fashion Show featuring designers from 14 different Central Oregon Schools, a diverse group of adult artists and aspiring trash fashionistas, a live auction of a select group of garments, and 9 local businesses celebrating their sustainable practices and competing for the Coveted Trash Trophy, all amplified by Flip Flop Productions professional stage, lighting, and sound!
A Local Maker’s Market & Interactive Booths – featuring 13 local makers and organizations selling their creative wares and creating interactive experiences.
An interactive walk through art exhibit by Bend’s ReCoHere Cooperative, showcasing the challenge of textile waste and solutions each of us can achieve.
A trash creation station for kids and adults to make hats, toys, accessories… facilitated by the Open Arts Center.
SATURDAYMAY 9th – THE RUBBISH RENEWED ECO FASHION SHOW!!!! Whether you come for the innovative runway trash fashion, the live auction, the eco marketplace, interactive art installation, the bites & sips, or just to witness the sheer creativity of Central Oregon students and artists turning garbage into garments — this night always delivers. Link for Tickets Here!
APRIL 10th, FRIDAY MIDNIGHT – GARMENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Go to the Submission Page and fill out the Submission Form, pay the fee, and send 3 photos that show your materials, your design, and your construction process. The further along you are, the more information the jury will have to make their decision.
APRIL 17th, FRIDAY 4:30 – 7:00ish – EARTH DAY FASHION SHOW AND MARKETPLACE: COCC Clothing Connection annual event is a benefit for a free service that provides school and work clothing to students of COCC and Oregon State University-Cascades (OSU-Cascades). Rubbish Renewed will be there to share and celebrate!
APRIL 25th, SATURDAY 11-3 – TEC EARTH DAY FAIR AND PARADE:Location: Alpenglow Park, 61049 SE 15th St, Bend, OR 97702
MAY 1st, FRIDAY – FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK DOWNTOWN: Donning trash fashion, Rubbish Renewed will be out enjoying the evening on the town and sharing information about the upcoming Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show!
MAY 9th, SATURDAY – THE RUBBISH RENEWED ECO FASHION SHOW!!!! Whether you come for the innovative runway trash fashion, the live auction, the eco marketplace, interactive art installation, the bites & sips, or just to witness the sheer creativity of Central Oregon students and artists turning garbage into garments — this night always delivers. Link for Tickets Here!
Tickets just went live and it’s 2 weeks until the garment design submission deadline at midnight on Friday, April 10th. Remember you don’t need to have your garment completed, but the further along you are, the easier it is for the jury to recognize your vision in your photos and artist renderings. Read the material guidelines carefully. Here is the link to the Adult & Student Runway Submission Page. It doesn’t hurt to get your submission in early.
Check out these materials from a few designs that have started to roll in!
Tickets are now on sale for the 14th Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show on Saturday, May 9th at the Pavilion. Use the BUY TICKETS button on the side bar, link from the tickets drop down menu, or scan the QR code on the poster, the Source ad, or below!
On event day, for designers and models the magic begins in the Greenroom. It’s a space that builds confidence and inspiration to showcase the art on the runway. Nicole Potter, a seasoned stylist, led the styling team, creating a professional and comfortably accessible experience for all ages. Greenroom Photos by Greg Maffei.
This year, for the 2nd time, we had a student makeup team! These budding make-up artists, Rowen, Bella, Ellie, Lila, and Ila, gained real-life event experience and mentorship while blowing us away with creativity, connection, support and fun. They were inspirational!
Model Sam with makeup artist Ila.
Designer/Model Ruby with makeup artist Bella.
Designer/model Abigail with makeup artist Rowan.
Designer/model Guthrie with makeup artist Lila.
Emcee Jessie with makeup artist Ellie.
A group of fabulous independent hair stylists came together donating their time to uplift the art. Raechel Gilland – Adventure Time Entertainments, Caligosto (Cal) Leis, Jessica Trainor, and Kaia Chopra worked their magic quickly and creatively, with a focus on making each model and garment stand out.
Designer/Model Bethany with hair stylist Kaia.
Model Ian with hair stylist Raechal.
Designer/Model Sloan with hair stylist Jessica.
Designer/Model Guthrie with hair stylist Caligosto.
We’ve now dubbed the space Mayra’s Greenroom. Mayra created an experience of joyous support for all the students and adults alike. We continue to hold the space with her spirit. Mayra Aguilar Stearns – March 1, 1972 – June 15, 2025.
Mayra Stearns making magic; Rubbish Renewed 2016. Archive Photos: Paula Bullwinkel
I’m so proud to live in a town where many local businesses put our environment in the forefront of their work. Not only considering waste, but also community, social, and global actions. Looking back on last year’s Business Challenge Gallery post inspired me to renew the message:
“In Bend, we have the power to create a holistic sustainable community. More than just action around waste, it’s about access to affordable housing, supporting local farms and food production, prioritizing employee well-being, creating green-spaces and access for recreating and habitat in these, shifting status quo policies surrounding waste and distribute items for reuse, establishing safe routes for biking and walking… the Business Challenge participants are making a difference through local, community focused practices, that empower people, and ultimately contribute to a better world. It’s more important than ever to step up and get involved.”
Celebrate the creativity and beauty showcased for action in the 2025 Business Challenge Garment Gallery and get inspired by the emerging work happening in our community!
6 of the 7 Business Challenge Garments at the 2025 Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show. From left to right: Lonza, DIYcave, ReStore, ReCoHere, Bend Anesthesiology Group, and Gear Fix (missing Humm Kombucha). Visit the 2025 Business Challenge GarmentGalleryfor captivating photos of each garment, their description, story and businesses’ sustainable practices.
