From 2013-2019, secondary schools hit the runway at Lynnhaven Mall in the Annual Lynnhaven TRASHion Show. The show was created as a way for local students to show off their fashion sense while demonstrating an understanding of the value and importance of reusing items whenever possible. Using only materials destined for garbage cans or recycling bins, student designers and models partnered to present original creations in a runway fashion show competition co-sponsored by Lynnhaven Mall and Lynnhaven River NOW. We have seen designers make use of such unusual materials as a broken umbrella, torn screens, and bright pink and silver padded mailing envelopes. From bottle caps to bubble-wrap, you never know what might show up on the runway as glamorous fashion.

Awards were presented for creativity and style, and the crowd was invited to vote for a special People’s Choice Award. In addition, the high schools vied for the traveling “Principal’s Pride Award” for overall school efforts to promote sustainability both on and off the runway.

This show was always emceed by a local celebrity and local businesses contributed prizes for both the show and the trivia contest between shows. School dance, vocal and instrumental groups performed between shows as well.

In 2019, Lynnhaven River NOW partnered with First Colonial HS to compete in the US Green Building Council’s Connect the Dots Challenge. To address waste issues, students conducted a classroom waste audit to gauge students’ waste habits. With guidance from LRNow staff, items from the garbage and recycling cans were sorted to identify items that could be reduced, recycled or reused as fashion. Students transformed reusable products into clothing that was then displayed at the 6^th Annual Trashion Show raising awareness of the importance of proper waste management and showcasing “out of the trashcan” ideas for dealing with some of the waste. The Partnership of First Colonial HS Green Team and Lynnhaven River NOW was Awarded First Place in Creativity and were honored at a special event held in Richmond by the US Green Building Council.

https://www.usgbc.org/articles/virginia-winners-connect-dots-challenge-celebrated-usgbc-virginia