Haute Trash : Cool People

Trashion Fashion

Many would say that trashion-fashion is a new trend, but people have been using recycled materials to make new clothing for decades.  What does it mean to create fashion out of your garbage bin?  Safety pin dresses, beer-can tunics,  “tired” shoes,  duct tape wallets, plastic soda pop tab purses and dresses made from recycled paper are totally trendy.

But is this really new?  No way!  The Portal to Texas History has the first clue.  Check out this amazing dress made of newspapers from 1897 :

Photograph of a young woman identified as Ruby Dee Austin. She is wearing a dress and bonnet made out of newspapers. Each panel in the dress says "Port Arthur Herald."

Personally, I love the creativity that goes into making new wearables from anything under the sun… whether it starts as corn husks, old bicycle parts or plastic chimichangas.  Anyone willing to make a fashion statement out of objects rescued from the dump… is a hero of mine.  Wanna know why?  For being so smart, we sure do waste a lot.  Waste Couture is not cool.

Artists that have shown their work in Texas have chosen places like the McAllen International Museum and have included Moschino, Remi Rubel, Issac Mizrahi, Gaza Bowen, and Swedish designer Charlotte Nilson who created a “newspapers-’round the world” dress in the 90’s. 

the TRASHIONISTA - Sustainable style and recycled fashion group on Flickr: Tu amor es un periódico de ayer: series

Create More : Consume Less

Here are some contemporary images of what people have created out of recycled materials.

How do you think you would design an outfit out of recycled paper?

Two Comanche Belles = Comanche Couture

Comanche Belles = Comanche Couture

These two teen Comanche girls are wearing a mix of traditional and contemporary clothing. Can you tell the difference? (Portal to Texas History)

Something to ponder:  Did you know that horses were a measure of Comanche wealth? What would you be able to barter or trade in today’s market?

Activity : Ever heard a Comanche Riding Song? Listen to this flute recording from the Smithsonian Folkways Collection.  Close your eyes while you listen.  How does the song make you feel?

Did you know?  All Comanche children learned how to ride horses and both men and women developed exceptional equestrian skills.

FYI: Most students in Texas today do not ride a horse to school.
Did you know? Under Texas Penal Code § 31.03(e)(4)-(5), it is a state jail felony to steal (less than ten) horses and a third degree felony to steal ten or more horses.  However if you steal ZERO (also less than ten) horses… you have not committed a crime!