BLOOMINGTON—Ready to transform outdated suits and waste items into runway-worthy creations? The 2025 Bloomington Trashion/Refashion Runway Show—a fundraiser for the Center for Sustainable Living—is now accepting design entries, model applications, and volunteer requests for its 16th annual event, which will dazzle at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
This is your chance to join a legacy of eco-pioneers who elevate sustainability into high fashion, inspiring our community to reimagine the future of fashion and waste.
How to Participate
All designs must be entered into a database by Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. Designs submitted by any other method will not be considered. A link to the database, important dates, instructions for submitting designs, and FAQs can all be found at bloomingtontrashion.org.
Who Can Parcipate
Whether you’re an experienced fashion designer or a newcomer with a stapler, a glue gun, and a passion for sustainability, the runway is open to you. The Trashion/Refashion Show invites creators to submit unique designs created from at least 90% previously owned materials and transformed from their original state. Embrace the challenge to breathe new life into forgotten items and save them from the landfill.
Trashion Designs
Imagine couture born from the unexpected: past designs have used packing materials, old videotapes, Venetian blinds, bole caps, and even disassembled furniture to create unforgeable, high-fashion statements.
Refashion Designs
Rework tradional fabrics and garments into contemporary, wearable pieces. Give graduaon gowns, bridesmaid dresses, or discarded neckes and scarves a second act on the runway.
Designs may include both Trashion and Refashion elements and group submissions are encouraged!
Not sure if you want to participate? Attend one of our Q&A sessions.
● VIRTUAL: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 7-8 p.m. by Zoom (information on how to connect at bloomingtontrashion.org)
● IN-PERSON: Monday, December 16, 202,4 from 6-7 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library Downtown location.
Aspiring Models of All Types Wanted
The runway awaits more than just designs. Models of all ages, sizes, and experience levels are invited to help bring the new creations to life. If you’re ready to stomp the 2025 runway, please complete the form here: https://forms.gle/mniq7F52ZN9Ss25y9.
Get Involved
Surrounding and supporng the designers and models are volunteers of all types – planners, hair and makeup arsts, and ushers to name a few. If you are interested in experiencing the show behind the show, complete the volunteer opportunies form at https://forms.gle/moa2WF3uLpAdqGwv8.
Why Trashion/Refashion
Founded in 2010 by artist Jeanne Leimkuhler, Trashion/Refashion is a grassroots fundraising event for the Center for Sustainable Living that unites the community in a shared vision of creativity and environmental responsibility. With each step on the runway, designers and models alike are helping redefine the role of fashion, inspiring new perspectives on waste and consumption. The show welcomes and celebrates designers and models who represent the full spectrum of diversity in our community.
Designers will be notified of their submission status soon after the February 16, 2025 deadline. Designs accepted for the runway show will be announced to designers no later than March 10, 2025.
