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2023 Upcycled Fashion Show
Governor Wentworth Arts Council and The Makers Mill collaborated on our 2023 Upcycled Fashion Show on April 22, 2023 at the Kingswood Arts Center in Wolfeboro, NH. We had a fabulous event full of amazing designs by very talented artist of all ages. Please enjoy these photos of the 2023 designs and designers taken by Birch Blaze Studios.
You can also find the event recording here thanks to Wolfeboro Community TV.
Team Willows consists of Paula Wilson, Nick Bellows, and Bailey Bellows.
Says Team Willows:
“Our team members are mother, son, and grand-daughter. Team Willows is creative, imaginative, and fun-loving – we represent the fabric and threads of three generations – past, present and future.
Our designs focus on the Victorian era with Steampunk influences. The primary garments are constructed from deconstructed linens and draperies, embellished with thrifted jewelry pieces and buttons and other pieces from deconstructed thrifted garments and handbags. The designs also incorporate recyclable household products such as onion bag netting and packaging materials.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Designer Zion Guttman. Modeled by the designer.
Zion has always loved fashion, especially costume design. Much of Zion's inspiration comes from the theater, especially the world of fantasy and whimsical design. Creativity is Zion's favorite form of expression.
“Everything in my design is upcycled (except a small touch of pink glitter that I just had to add). My goal was to create a vision of a fairy living in today's teen world. I started with a pile of clothes that my mom and I had put in the "give away" pile and went to town. My overcrowded craft room provided all the details and trim that I needed to complete my vision.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Designed by Emilia Ponomarev and modeled by the designer. Created using wet felting.
Says Emilia:
“I had a skirt, which I had made a long time ago, but never worn. It was a rather large piece of material of very good quality.
My inspiration was cardboard boxes, the way we close it by overlapping each top part over another. I made as many circles as possible; according to my design I needed 144 of them, the skirt size was not enough, so I used a hat, pair of gloves as well.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
This bag is designed by Ava Roriston and modeled by the designer.
Says Ava:
“I’m twelve years old and have been lucky to be a Craft Club student of Bette Frazier.
Bette has taught me sewing, knitting, quilting, rug looming, and all things “crafting!” These tote bags are made from recycled juice pouches. The materials were easy - colorful juice pouches, thread and webbing for the handles. I like how they’re recycled AND fun and fashionable at the same time!”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
These two kimonos were designed by Barbara Stave (center). Modeled by Amanda King and Melissa Burke.
Says Barbara:
“Like any quilter or fiber artist, I love beautiful fabric. Just having it in my stash is a joy! Often there is not enough yardage to quilt with it or a fabric panel that doesn't have an idea with it. That is the inspiration for these kimonos, using pieces of beautiful fabric together.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Designed by Krysten Marche and modeled by the designer.
Says Krysten:
“I’m excited to participate in a show with a spotlight on upcycling. My sewing experience extends mostly to crafting Halloween costumes, which were made from whatever I could get my hands on when I was a kid. I still relish the
challenge of turning cardboard boxes and paint into monsters every October, and I delight in the magic of spinning recycled packaging material into a gown.
This gown is made from packaging materials: tape, a vinyl dust cover, and packing newsprint, cut into lace. I wanted to bring some magic to the mundane: to elevate readily-available and otherwise disposable items.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Jackie Stetser with design team John Stetser and Hailey Capano. Modeled by the designer.
Says Jackie:
“John Stetser is my research person; he helps me find used jeans in thrift stores. He also critiques the styles and combinations that I make. Hailey is my granddaughter in college; she gives me advice on which designs would be popular with college-aged students.
The outside of my bags are all upcycled jeans. I use denim without any spandex or stretch. The inside lining is a combination of fabric that I buy in fabric shops and fabric that has been given to me.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
This design by Helen Conrad is modeled by the designer.
Says Helen:
“I’m a volunteer at the Makers Mill and a sewer. I made a skirt out of a tablecloth that was donated to the Makers Mill and a jean jacket with upcycled quilt blocks.”
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Team Heldrake with Aurelia Palladino and Liz Helfer. Modeled by Aurelia Palladino and Liz Helfer.
Aurelia, age three, collaborated with her mama to create bespoke “good” wicked witch queen outfits from recycled clothing, upholstery, and Aurelia’s pile of drawings that usually adorn the kitchen.
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
This design by Jeanne Flanagan is titled “Medieval Dress” and is modeled by the designer.
The underdress was made from an antique linen tablecloth that was hand dyed. The over dress is decorated with hand tatted lace.
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH
Josh Arnold (Director of The Makers Mill in Wolfeboro) is wearing a design by Jeanne Flanagan titled “The Boss.”
Starting with $2 a pound clothes, the shirt was appliqued with lettering and a fake pocket. The formerly size 48 pants were taken apart and machine embroidered, then re-assembled to fit. The hat is made from plastic strapping for shipping cartons.
Image Credit: Birch Blaze Studios, Wakefield NH