By Jenna Cosentino, Staff Writer
The sixth annual Trashion Fashion: Bona’s Gets Trashy 2018 Runway Experience Show is only one week away. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts will be turned into one big runway.
Trashion Fashion came from a recycling incentive here on campus. Sean Conklin, assistant curator at the Quick Center, thought “Bona’s Gets Trashy” is a fun, playful way to get people to think and talk about recycling.
Walking out on the runway and strutting your stuff, “gives a level of confidence,” Conklin explained. “I tell them, you are walking out in literal garbage. Go out there and act like you are wearing major designers.”
The rules for the show are the pieces that the designers make need to be 95 percent post-consumer material. Conklin goes around on random designer check-ins to make sure everyone is on the right track.
Running the show for the sixth year, Conklin explained how each year he likes to add something new and continue it the following year.
“From different awards to inviting high school students from surrounding areas to be involved, it brings students to Bonaventure to show that Bonaventure supports creativity, interests and activities,” said Conklin. “Also adding different elements to the show. For example, last year we invited the on-campus step team to perform. It brings outside connections to the show.”
Amelia Bailey, a junior strategic communication and digital media major at Bona’s, is a designer for the show. This is her first year designing, and she said she’s excited to see the other designers’ creations.
“So far, it’s been a lot of fun,” Bailey said. “The design process started out simple – I started with the basics, and I gathered materials that were around me. Now I just keep adding minor details that I think will make the look stand out.”
Bailey discussed one of the pieces she is designing. “Ghost of Party’s Past” is the theme of the first item.
“It’s a vest made out of pizza boxes ranging from DiGiorno’s, Pizza Rolls, Dominos and Napoli’s, including a crown crafted from an old deck of cards and red Solo cups,” Bailey said.
She said her theme is meant to emphasize how much students waste each weekend when they go out.
“I am looking forward to the reaction of the crowd,” she said. “I hope the designs we present will open a few eyes when it comes to our campus being more environmentally aware.”
Chernice Miller, a graduate student, has been one of the models for Trashion Fashion many years. However, this year she is going to be a judge.
“I am looking forward to seeing the cool pieces,” Miller said. “But I am going to miss modeling and getting ready with everyone.”
Students are encouraged to check out this year’s Trashion Fashion Show and watch “Bonas Get Trashy” on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Quick Center.
