Sustainable Princeton’s first-ever Trashion Show champions creativity and community

Sustainable Princeton debuted its first-ever Trashion Show on Sunday, April 27 at Morven Museum & Garden, where residents turned recycled materials into runway-ready designs as part of the nonprofit’s annual Earth Day celebration.

Participants of all ages turned trash into fashion, showcasing original looks made from at least 75% recycled materials. The creativity on display impressed the four judges, and despite the day’s powerful winds, every design held strong. 

Three winners were crowned at the Trashion Show. Andrea McBride, 13, won both the teen and People’s Choice categories; Noah Freund, 11, took home the kids title; and Bhagyashri Guhagarkar earned the top spot in the adult category.

McBride’s winning design reflected the chaos of current events. She created a corset-style top from a plastic dry cleaning bag and shoelaces, layered with magazine headlines to show how news can feel restrictive. The skirt, made from similar materials, represented the disorder that follows. 

“I hope people can see that couture and very beautiful dresses don’t have to be new and expensive,” McBride said.

Freund wowed judges with a handmade Air Jordan 1 sneaker built from egg cartons, cardboard, and plastic bags. Inspired by a growing interest in sustainability during the pandemic, Freund’s attention to detail and passion stood out. 

“Recently, when I got new Nike soccer cleats, I noticed an insert saying that their shoes are made from at least 20% recycled content,” Freund said. “The Jordans that I made are from 100% recycled content.”

Adult winner Bhagyashri Guhagarkar turned everyday household items into a spring-themed dress complete with a hat made from a lampshade and soda cans. She spent her spring break crafting the look from old wall calendar paper, paint swatches, and wrappers, marking her first time creating a sustainable design of this scale.

Prizes for the winners included a family membership to the Princeton Arts Council, gift cards to Nosh and Alfalfa, and community bragging rights. 

Judges, including Princeton University junior and Princeton Green Creatives club member Ava Kronman, were impressed by the variety of ideas and the creativity on display. 

“One of the biggest things is knowing that sustainability can be fun, especially for younger kids and for people who might not be the ones making the decisions in their family or community,” Kronman said. “This was a really great way to show how sustainability can be incorporated everywhere and it can be really fun.”

The Trashion Show was led by Project Manager Lisa Nicolaison and Communications & Outreach Manager Elana Berk. The event exceeded staff expectations, attracting a diverse range of participants and fostering a greater sense of community involvement and creativity in sustainability efforts.

“I think artists are there to dream of what the future could look like,” said Berk. “Even though we’re not going to solve the global waste problem by making a couple outfits, it’s inspiring to see what people can do using their creativity.”

Berk noted that trash is often a tangible and accessible starting point for people beginning their sustainability journey. 

“Trash is the first thing people think about when they want to start making sustainable changes in their life,” she said. “We think about it as an entry point into greater climate action. We’re really grateful that this community does care quite a lot.”

In a time marked by uncertainty, events like the Trashion Show offer more than just inspiration—they reflect a growing commitment to local action and mutual survival.