WHEN FANTASY TURNS TRASHY

Trash to Fashion ® lives out the ultimate eco-fantasy at its annual awards extravaganza 31st October and 1st November at Corban Estate Arts Centre. WHEN FANTASY TURNS TRASHY

Trash to Fashion ® lives out the ultimate eco-fantasy at its annual awards extravaganza 31st October and 1st November at Corban Estate Arts Centre.Over 200 designers compete across eight categories that each represents an imaginary destination in an ideal eco-city. A choreographed spectacle takes the audience on a sightseeing tour of this recycling utopia - from "Smash Palace", a graveyard for obsolete technology, all the way to "The House of Hercules", a clothing hotspot for eco-wise men. What's real is the designers' talent for transforming the discarded into wildly inventive costumes that blur the boundary between fashion and art.

Director Amanda Wright describes this year's show as a "story" told in a highly theatrical style integrating multimedia, music and performance.
"The show has always been dramatic, and much more than a catwalk parade. These imaginative costumes are full of 'personality' - placing them in the context of a fictitious city adds a new dimension for the audience to enjoy, " she says.
"Trash to Fashion ® promotes a serious environmental message but in a celebratory way using art and creativity. It also allows designers to experiment, and to look at how 'recycling' fits into contemporary design and fashion where the issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important."

Starring alongside the costumes are violinist Elena, opera singer Zan McKendree-Wright, Pasifika Divas, Asian dance troupe Dancermaker Productions and stunt performers Flatlander Bikers.

Selecting the winners of each category and the supreme award are: costume designer Elizabeth Whiting, AK03 Director Simon Prast, textile/fashion designer Miranda Brown, Alannah Currie of MADGE and artist/choreographer Moana Nepia.
Show times: Friday 31 October/8pm
Saturday 1 November/1pm & 8pm
Venue: Corban Estate Art Centre, 426 Great North Rd, Henderson
Tickets: $10/adult $5/child; $25/family. Available from Ticketek.

TRASH TO FASHION ® AWARDS - Background Information

·Trash to Fashion ® is NZ's largest fashion show based on recycling. Now in its eighth year it is co-ordinated by the arts team at Waitakere City Council. Waitakere City celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2003 as NZ's first "Eco-city". The community group Keep Waitakere Beautiful, originated the show as part of Operation Spring Clean in 1996. They continue to support the event along with the Portage and Waitakere Licensing Trusts.

·Toyota New Zealand is the show's premier sponsor. The show coincides with the launch of Toyota's revolutionary hybrid-powered car, "Prius", that is powered by a petrol engine and an electric motor/generator. It is one of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world. Toyota will have a new generation "Prius" on display at the Trash to Fashion Awards 2003.

·Costumes can only be made from recycled and/or organic material. Entries come from all around the country from a range of emerging and professional artists and designers. The costumes are worn by professional models and dancers with choreography and creative direction by Carla Martell.

·Two of the eight categories - Otherland and New School of Cool are for children and teenagers only who model their own creations. For the past three years a teenager has gone on to win the supreme award. For more details on all the categories visit www.waitakere.govt.nz

·For the first time the Trash to Fashion ® season has been extended to include a matinee, 1 November at 1pm to cater for families and schools. Seating is now allocated for all shows -early bookings are essential for the best seats.

·Project Director of Trash to Fashion ® is Amanda Wright,
tel: 09 836 8000, ext 8780; cell 021 895 080; amanda.wright@waitakere.govt.nz