Common Threads’ Creative Lab takes the cycle to the next level with its program, Trash the Runway, designed for students to explore the world of fashion design while being sustainable. This year, the show was held at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Macky Auditorium with a massive turnout to show off all the creative and earth-friendly looks of the season.
The program was created by the owner of Common Threads, Libby Alexander and Creative Lab mentor, Sarah Tracy. Common Threads, a boutique consignment store with locations in both Boulder and Denver, also hosts Creative Lab, a program for people of all ages to take lessons in sewing and fashion. Trash the Runway is one of the many workshops Creative Lab hosts, but remains exclusive to middle and high school students.
The initial event was in collaboration with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art for Earth Day. It started with only 9-10 students and gradually increased in number every year. In 2019, they officially named the program Trash the Runway and became a Colorado nonprofit corporation. The program is now run and directed by Tanya Leonarda former mother of a Trash the Runway designer.
The challenge is nothing but simple: design and create a head-to-toe wearable made entirely from trash. Designers collect materials throughout the year, but are only given a two-month deadline to put it all together. At the end of the process is a runway show to commemorate their hard work and show off their designs.
Designers have specific criteria for the materials they are allowed to work with for their pieces. According to Leonard, the material can be used if “it is no longer useful for its original purpose and should be thrown in the trash.” Following Boulder City rules, the item cannot be recycled or composted. Prohibited materials include duct tape, regular fabric, buttons and zippers. The only non-waste items they can use are glue and thread.
The materials are entirely up to the designer to decide, but they must be “found” either in their own homes or through friends, they cannot be bought. If they need more specific material to work with, Leonard draws up a list and reaches out to people looking to collect materials. With these guidelines in mind, designers have no choice but to put tremendous creativity and care into their designs so that they are both fashionable and functional.
“They have to work through these issues and overcome the challenges to make something wearable,” Leonard said. “Every year, designers blow my mind with their creativity, resilience and ability to overcome adversity.”
The program generates a large amount of local community support as the shows usually have large audiences and many sponsors. The community even made sure the show went on during COVID with a virtual runway broadcast on City of Boulder TV.
“The local support has been incredible, we couldn’t put on the show without it,” said Leonard.
Year after year, the runway show sold out at the Boulder Theater, so this year’s show moved to Macky Auditorium, where there was a massive turnout of 885 participants.
The runway featured the look using materials such as coffee bags, tractor tire inner tubes, swimming caps, trampolines, butter wrappers, receipts from Whole Foods and more. Despite their limited materials, designers have been having fun and wearing dresses, pants, hats, jackets and more in all different styles and colors. The clothes are so well made that they compete with non-trash clothes.
“It’s amazing to watch them grow: in their design sensibility, their creativity, their tenacity, their skill and their stage presence,” Leonard said.
Many students who participate in the program have returned year after year and usually continue to study in a design-related field after they graduate.
The collection from this year’s show was displayed at the University of Colorado Boulder campus at the Museum of Natural History for the community to enjoy after the runway was completed. To see more of this year’s designs, check out the program Facebook AND Web page.
