Below you can read about the Fashion & Design students inspiration, the techniques they’ve learnt and used to piece together their incredible Trashion designs, and their thoughts on the course at Dv8 so far.

“The outfit I made for the Trashion Project consisted of a variety of rubbish and re-purposed materials including bin bag liners, envelopes, magazine cuttings, ring pulls, and a collection of found beads. For the top of my outfit I was inspired by the Balmain Spring 2016 fashion show where a lot of the tops were wrap around and halter neck. I created my wrap-around top with a twist and added plaits with wire and beads and ring pull detailing. The bold geometric designs of Christopher Kane inspired my skirt, layering up the rectangle envelopes I found and magazine cuttings to make an A-line design. I used a range of bright colours that drew attention to the skirt and then by doing a small pattern of rectangles on the top too the whole outfit was drawn together.

Some techniques I used to make this outfit include, sewing the collar of the top together with small bits of plastic bags to get it to sit and fold in the right way, making a clasp at the back of the top using a ring pull on one side and a roll of plastic on the other so that the top can be put on and removed with ease. My skirt also involved a zip and to get the shape I wanted I had to make darts in it.

Our first project on the DV8 Fashion course, Trashion, has been a challenge but has allowed me to think out of the box when designing and has encouraged me to experiment with a variety of materials. I am looking forward to the next project and learning new techniques when designing.” – Prudence

“My Trashion products were based around beers and ciders (mainly Budweiser). For the dress I used bubble wrap, red plastic carrier bags, red and white electrical tape, bottle caps and ‘FRAGILE’ tape. I first made a bubble wrap bodysuit with a big ’Budweiser’ logo over the breast area to work slightly as a bandeau. I then made a skirt out of red plastic carrier bags, I made one side all ruched up and creased in a way, the other side I embellished with bottle cap tassels. I wrapped ‘FRAGILE’ tape around the waistline to work as a belt. The back is easily open and done back up using white bows.

The bag was made with cardboard, bubble wrap, red plastic carrier bags, Budweiser logos, bottle caps, a zip and a display stand for dental floss in a shop. I first attached the box shape made out of cardboard to the dental floss display stand to get the shape. I then had to attach the zip to the red bags. I then covered the bag with red plastic carrier bags, and put bubble wrap with the Budweiser logo on the side panels. I then had to make the bottle cap strap and attach it to the bag with a glue gun.

To make the shoes I had to use cardboard, bubble wrap, Budweiser logo, zips, bottle caps, red plastic carrier bags, electrical tape and fluffy fabric. Firstly, I made the soles and platforms out of cardboard. Then made the bottle cap heels by sticking them together with a glue gun. I then put the red plastic bags and bubble wrap together with the zips. Then attached them to the soles, followed by gluing the fluffy fabric inside to the sole. Lastly I glued the bottle caps heels.

I’m really enjoying Dv8 Sussex so far, we’ve always got something to be doing. It’s not just sitting in a classroom, it’s going around town gathering supplies and making and creating and that’s exactly what I need.” – Evie

“My outfit is mostly made of plastic with decorations made of foil, plastic, box straps, bath bomb packaging, wire coat-hangers, a piece of bag material, a pie dish and pictures I cut out from some Christmas wrapping paper.

My inspirations for this outfit are fairies for the dress and wings but the apron is inspired by spooky box zombabe. More specifically it is based on the bone apron.” – Louise

“The materials that I have used for my Fashion piece, are as follows; Black bags, wallpaper, plastic bags, cardboard, bubble wrap and a small broach.

The techniques I used were using darbs, sewing and stapling stocking, and drawing to design my outfit/fashion piece. I got my inspiration from Roman battle armour and princess dresses.

I am finding the course fun, exciting, inspiring and helpful.”- Vanessa

“The materials I used for my dress include a metallic reusable bag from “Irregular choice” and a wired lampshade. I made panniers out of the lamp shade using wire cutters to cut it in half. This was inspired by 18th century historical costume. I created the bodice using darts to fit the body made out of the “irregular choice” bag. I added a zip onto the back of the dress as well as a choker embellished with old jewellery and made it connect to the dress using part of the metallic bag. I also edged and layered the dress to give it more of the 18th century effect.

I am enjoying my time at Dv8 as we get to go out to collect resources whenever we need and are

able to express ourselves whenever we create something.” – Shannon

“To create my dress I used trash that I collected from various stores around town. The base of my dress is made from blue bin bags which I cut and put together using glue, zip and darts to ensure that it fit the manikin well and to give it shape. To create straps for the top half I plaited plastic bags and added a black fringe. To give the dress some extra detailing and to continue following my theme of triangles I cut out 2 triangles on the sides of the dress replaced it with transparent wrapping plastic. I then proceeded to cut triangles out of envelopes, crisp packet’s and magazines and layered them down the front of the dress. To finish the dress I found some wire and made triangles and circles to stick over the top of the paper triangles making the dress more 3D. Finally, I added black fringing along the bottom of the dress.

My dress was inspired by one of Verdad Officals dressed from their SS17 collection. The course at Dv8 is going well. I’m enjoying spending time with creative people and being able to but my creative ideas into practice.” – Molly