Category Archives: Sustainability

And the 2026 Business Challenge Winner is…

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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 Johnson Model: 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.

Just 3 Days Away: Blurring the Lines Between Art and Advocacy

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More Than a Dress

What makes the Rubbish Renewed Fashion Show so compelling is that it blurs the line between art and advocacy. This isn’t just clothing—it’s storytelling. It’s a reminder that sustainability can be expressive, that environmental awareness can be beautiful, and that even the most unexpected materials can have a second life.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway: sometimes, the most inspiring designs don’t start with fabric—they start with a shift in perspective.

Experience the shifts at the 14th Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show

Saturday, May 9th at the Pavilion.

Just 4 Days Away: What’s in Store at this Year’s Show

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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.

Local Libations curated by Slow Ride Mobile Bar including Willamette Valley Vineyards, Boneyard Beer, Crater Lake Spirits, Humm Kombucha, Tumalo Cider Company, and Deschutes Brewery. + 3 fabulous food carts – The Bob, The Pizza Cart, and Big Foot BBQ.

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.

SATURDAY MAY 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!

Upcoming Pre-Events and Dates

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APRIL 9th, THURSDAY 4-7PM – “TRASHION” PARTY:

    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!

    Garment Submission Deadline Friday, April 10th!

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    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!

    Shop Reused & Local for a Sustainable Season

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    School’s out for winter break. Weather’s starting to feel wintery, and the community is bustling. This is a great time to do last minute holiday shopping in town. In Bend, we have a bounty of local, sustainable, diverse gift gathering spaces. Check out three great community focused businesses (and Rubbish Renewed supporters) to spend your dollars locally and make sustainable purchasing choices that are lighter on the planet!

    RESTORE: 224 NE Thurston Avenue

    For the handy person in your life the ReStore has a wide variety of home improvement materials, tools and furnishings almost exclusively donated by our generous community. Shopping at ReStore helps support the construction of Habitat homes that are built for energy efficiency. These affordable homes ensure families have every opportunity to thrive and grow.

    GEAR FIX: 550 SW Industrial Way #1

    For your outdoor enthusiast needs check out The Gear Fix! They consign high quality outdoor gear and repair your damaged favorites. Gear Fix cultivates a sense of community both inside and outside of the shop helping make our area inclusive for all that choose to venture outdoors.

    COSA CURA: 2735 NW Crossing Dr. #101 & 19570 Amber Meadow Dr, #170

    For your stylish fashion and home decor needs Cosa Cura is the place! The store currently represents 80+ Independent Artists & Designers and carries fashion from 8000+ local consignors. Cosa Cura creates an atmosphere of sustainable style, creativity, local support and community service. “Killer style and saving the planet one fabulous outfit at a time.”

    Showcased for Action: 2025 Business Challenge Garment Gallery Posted

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    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 Garment Gallery for captivating photos of each garment, their description, story and businesses’ sustainable practices.

    Rubbish Renewed 2025 had a diverse team of photographers. Thank you to Kimberly Teichrow Photography, Joe Kline Photography, Stark Photography, Melissa Barnes Dholakia, and Greg Maffei for the incredible images you’ll find in our galleries.

    Check out the 2025 Business Challenge Garment Gallery and look for more posts coming soon!

    Hidden Creatives: 2025 Adult Show Gallery Posted!

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    Bend is a haven for environmentally conscious creatives. You can find local artists openly producing significant sustainable pieces, but many innovators are hidden in the cracks. People known in our community as teachers, medical care providers, outdoor professionals… are quietly creating powerful pieces that reflect their commitment to sustainability, education, and artistry. Luckily, some materialize for meaningful opportunities like the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show! Among these incredible hidden designers are: Martha, once a Realms student, is now the Community Engagement Coordinator at the High Desert Museum; Katie, a first time Rubbish Renewed Designer, is an inpatient hospital pharmacist; DeeDee is the VP of Homeowner Services for Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity and has produced pieces for RR every year; and the list goes on. Take a look at the 2025 Adult Garment Gallery and enjoy the stories and designs created by a vibrant community of eco-conscious designers!

    “RUBBISH ROMANTICISM” Designer: Martha Campbell Model: Rona Campbell; “A PROPER BAG LADY” Designer: Lloyd McMullen Model: Mikayla Gil; “POOL PARTY” Designer/Model: Qristy Kurtz; “BEN’S BACKPACK 2.0” Designer: Meg Knight Model: Ben Knight; “GARDEN PARTY” Designer: DeeDee Johnson Model: Robin Cooper Engle; “INTRAVENOUS SEAMSTRESS” Designer/Model: Katie Valentine

    Rubbish Renewed 2025 had a diverse team of photographers. Thank you to Kimberly Teichrow Photography, Joe Kline Photography, Stark Photography, Melissa Barnes Dholakia, and Greg Maffei for the incredible images you’ll find in our galleries.

    Check out the 2025 Adult Garment Gallery and look for more posts coming soon!

    Students Inspired! 2025 Show Gallery Posted

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    When people ask me what my favorite thing is about being the producer of the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show, it always comes down to the students. They inspire me to step up my game as a global citizen, a community member, an artist, a designer, a teacher, and an environmental steward. I’m blown away every year by their creativity, their garment stories, and the craftsmanship, even by the youngest designers. This year the 2025 Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show showcased student designers from 17 Central Oregon schools – from 3rd grade to college! Check out the 2025 Student Garment Gallery and see what students inspired create.

    Rubbish Renewed 2025 had a diverse team of photographers. Thank you to Kimberly Teichrow Photography, Joe Kline Photography, Stark Photography, Melissa Barnes Dholakia, and Greg Maffei for the incredible images you’ll find in our galleries.

    Check out the 2025 Student Garment Gallery and look for more galleries and blog posts coming soon!

    Bend Lifestyle Magazine Celebrates Rubbish Renewed!

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    “What do you get when a small group of visionary educators, artists, creators and environmentalists with a passion for the planet – and future generations – join forces with a mission to reimagine waste by creating couture with a conscience? You get Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show: a dazzling event where landfill-bound debris is transformed into jaw-dropping garments and designs. You get an event where creativity becomes a catalyst for change.” Read the complete in-depth article by Lynette Confer at Bend Lifestyle Magazine here!

    GARDEN PARTY Designer: DeeDee Johnson Model: Robin Copper Engle Photo: Kimberly Teichrow