This Auroville ‘Trashion Show’ Is Making Our Waste Problem Wearable

If there was ever a trend that could possibly dethrone the vegan empire, it might be the one that’s slowly changing India’s fashion scene—sustainable fashion. A major component of sustainable wear is upcycling, which focuses on using old garments to create an entirely new item. Not only does it help eliminate textile waste, but it also ensures you’ll never have an ‘Oh-No-She’s/He’s-Wearing-The-Same-Outfit-As-Me’ moment again, something every fast fashion consumer faces on a weekly basis.

Auroville, an international community in South India, is home to several projects dedicated to the above cause. The most recent being The Auroville Trashion Show, the highlight of the community’s Litter Free Auroville (LFA) campaign. “India needs more campaigns like this, to make upcycling a stronger movement, for we really need to develop our waste management system,” said Ok Jeonglee, co-founder of Upcycling Studio Auroville, one of the pioneering forces behind the show. Currently, Auroville is working towards a zero waste policy, and several citizens took part in the LFA campaign, to support the same.

“While some outfits weren’t entirely wearable, it was great to see how every participant explored the Waste to Fashion concept. From magazines, styrofoam and misprinted packaging paper to men’s old wear and plastic items, the Trashion Show saw some really innovative outfits,” laughed Ok. Besides the Trashion Show, workshops were conducted, as well as an art exhibition, performances and more.

Some of the wackier outfits included a wedding dress made from mosquito nets and styrofoam decoration on top, a Rajasthani-style dress put together with fishing net and patch work fabric, and a reversible vest made from medicinal tablet cases.

Here’s a video of The Trashion Show, with action behind the scenes, the making of it all, and the show-stoppers: