Annual Trashion Fashion Show & Swap Meet

Turning Trash into Wearable Art on Orcas Island

ORCAS ISLAND, WA — What is Trashion Fashion? It is more than funky outfits made from discarded materials. Trashion Fashion is a vibrant form of art and design that celebrates recycling, upcycling, and creative waste reduction. This movement invites us to reimagine what we throw away and transform it into something beautiful and meaningful.

Trashion Fashion is art with a purpose, helping raise awareness about sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the impact of our consumer choices. It is not just a fashion statement. It is a creative call to action.

The need for this message is urgent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American generates over 4.5 pounds of trash per day, much of it ending up in landfills or waterways. The fashion industry alone is responsible for 10 percent of global carbon emissions, with up to 85 percent of textiles in the United States ending up in landfills.

Trashion Fashion flips the script and asks: What if we took what has been tossed aside and made something worth celebrating? Although the term “Trashion Fashion” was popularized in New Zealand in 2004, the idea of turning trash into wearable art has long been embraced by cultures worldwide. Today, shows are popping up everywhere, from schools in Finland to major runways in New York. Now, Orcas Island is again adding its voice to this global creative movement, transforming throwaway culture into a celebration of resourcefulness and environmental awareness.

Why Orcas Island? Because we care deeply about protecting our island’s natural beauty and health. We also love a fun, funky excuse to come together, get creative, and show off our wild side.

Show Details: The Trashion Fashion Show, sponsored by The Exchange, returns to the Orcas Grange on Saturday, September 20, at 6 pm., following the annual Swap Meet. More than a runway, the event celebrates creativity, sustainability, and inventive solutions. Organizer Asifa Welch-Pasin, a Trashion Fashion veteran since 2012, is excited to present this year’s show, with Grace McCune as emcee and DJ Bodhicypha providing the soundtrack.