3 November 2003
Press release
Trash to Fashion® attracts record crowds
The 8th annual Trash to Fashion® Awards wowed a record audience of close to 4000 people at its three shows on October 31
and November 1.
A flagship event for Waitakere City, the ‘eco-fashion’ extravaganza transfixed audiences with its incredible outfits,
lighting effects, music, set, choreography and guest entertainers, including opera singer Zan McKendree-Wright, Asian
contemporary dancers from Dancemaker Productions, violinist Elena and fa’afa’fine performance troupe Pacifika Divas.
More than 200 garments were modelled at the high profile event, which challenges entrants to create stunning couture
masterpieces from recycled materials. Entries were received from as far away as the United States. Judges included
costume designer Elizabeth Whiting, fashion designer Miranda Brown, MADGE spokesperson Alannah Currie, AKO3 director and
actor Simon Prast and artist and choreographer Moana Nepia.
The $3000 Supreme Award for best overall design was won by the Ranui Action Project, which also won a return trip to
Sydney donated by the Academy of Film and TV Make-up as part of their prize package. Grace Hollows of Grey Lynn was
runner-up.
Director Amanda Wright says the creative talents of the designers and production crew resulted in a professional, high
voltage show enjoyed by all ages.
“Trash to Fashion® combines art, fashion and entertainment under one roof, while also highlighting important
environmental messages, such as ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. The garments reflect the fact that household and industrial
products can have more than one use. They can be recycled and reworked into something beautiful and practical.”
Winning garments will be exhibited at the Corban Estate Arts Centre from November 7 to 30 – giving people the
opportunity to view them up close.
The show was presented by Waitakere City Council, in partnership with Keep Waitakere Beautiful and The Waitakere and
Portage Trusts. The premier sponsor for the event was Toyota New Zealand, which displayed its new hybrid petrol-electric
car, ‘Prius’, at the awards.
Ends
RESULTS - TRASH TO FASHION® AWARDS 2003
SUPREME AWARD – Ranui Action Project (Ranui) – “Wrappin”
SUPREME RUNNER UP - Grace Hollows (Grey Lynn) – “Alien Urban Teenager”
CATEGORY WINNERS:
RAINFOREST
1. Chrissy Kell (Waitakere) – “Revealing The Spirit of Te Henga”
2. Kashka Babushka (Waiheke Island) – “The Gift of Ruawahine”
OTHERLAND
1. Grace Hollows (Grey Lynn) – “Alien Urban Teenager”
2. Phoebe Armitage (Laingholm) – “Magical Mushroom Maiden”
SMASH PALACE
1. Elizabeth Alexander (Waiheke Island) – “Allumina”
2. Anna Harwood (Auckland) – “Electric He-Man Saves the World”
NEW SCHOOL OF COOL
1. Helen Anstis (Sunnyvale) – “Address Unknown”
2. Alexandra Scott (Avondale) – “Take-Out a Westy”
CUTTING EDGE
1. Sean Hurst (Manurewa) – “Butcher’s Bride”
2. Amy Clarke & Amethyst Parker (Glendene) – “Miss Fanny”
GLOBAL VILLAGE
1. Ranui Action Project (Ranui) – “Wrappin”
2. Angela Kim (Kelston) – “Neo Creation”
HOUSE OF HERCULES
1. Sean Hurst (Manurewa) – “Mr Ofinu”
2. Sharon Rae (Papakura) – “Shearing”
CLUB TRASHADELIC
1. Ineke Atkins & Susan Cure (Pukekawa/Tuakau) – “Barbie goes to Rio”
2. Sandra Lewis (New Plymouth) – “Lily Queen of the Night”