< Back | Home

Bobby Her, a freshman in industrial engineering, modeled a Victorian-era topcoat and bottoms designed by Benjamin Moua on Wednesday night at the Garbage Montage Fashion Show. The outfit won first place.

It's not just trash, it's the latest fashion

Contest brings in more than 41 gaments to annual event

By: Katie Thorn

Posted: 3/1/07

Garbage Montage, last night's recycled and second-hand themed fashion show, featured 34 designers and 41 garments to compete in the year's contest.

The show was organized by the OSU Fashion Organization.

The contest, in its 21st year, featured three judges who pooled together to award designer Benjamin Moua's paper bag Victorian-era top-coat and bottom the first place winner.

"Garbage Montage is here to showcase talent - and OSU has a lot of it," said Laura Housgard, a junior in business and co-chair of the OSU Fashion Organization. "A lot of people don't get recognition, so it's really fun to hold an event to give them a chance for the public to see their work."

Judges for the evening included Design and Human Environment Chair Leslie Burns, Health and Human Sciences Head Kim McAlexander, and English instructor Jillian St. Jacques.

"To make it good, there is a long process," said Mary Flanigan, a sophomore in apparel design who modeled Riley Snyder's dress made of a black trash bag, raffia and tissue paper. "All the dresses are really unique and people are always amazed of the materials used."

All the entries were required to spend $15 or less.

"The garments get better every year," Housgard said. "The garments get better in design, and the overall event brings in more people each year."

One of last year's entries by Jennifer Kirk, an OSU graduate, received international recognition from the International Textile and Apparel Association.

"Though a little pokey," said Bailey Stokes, OSU Fashion Organization vice president said of Kirk's dress made from triangle-shaped soda cans, "it looked amazing."

Last night's garments were made from a mixture of old jeans, garbage bags, condoms, milk jugs, coffee cups, film strips, feathers, tye dye sheets, safety pins, table cloths and fabric softeners, among other materials.

Stokes said many of the designers are in apparel design and marketing management.

"The event is fun and it lets designers think outside the box," said Stokes, dressed in a self-designed colorful condom dress promoting AIDS awareness.

"I came to see my friend's dress she designed," Amanda Balise, a senior in nutrition and food management said of GaRey's dress. "All of the entries were creative - I am very impressed with all the cute flashy designs and the good use of materials."

Anna Pryka, a sophomore in apparel design, compared last year's performance to this year's entries.

"More people entered the contest this year," said Pryka, a sophomore in apparel design, who created and modeled a dress made out of black duct tape and fabric from a dress from a second-hand store.

"It grows every year. It's entertaining for everyone - even the other designers. It's fun to see what people can do and the creativity that goes into each garment."