DiscarDisco 2023: Rags to Riches Recap! Meet our Contestants and Winners! VOTE for your fav!

 

Our 4th annual sustainable sartorial soiree, DiscarDisco 2023, was a massive hit! Designer contestant finalists showcased their ‘garbage garb’ to a SOLD OUT show! We had 222 people in attendance at The Chicago Athletic Association’s fancy-pants ballroom overlooking Michigan Ave. and Millenium Park. (Check out these beautiful photos of the evening by Glitter Guts Photography)

Our show this year was dubbed ‘Rags to Riches’ for many reasons. For one, our venue glow-up took our show from the back of a bar punk show venue to one of the finest ballrooms in the city. Aside from the fancy digs, the nickname is also fitting as our contestants turn cast-off rags into elegant outfits fit for the finest occasions, while simultaneously ‘spinning gold’ by raising much needed funds to support the work we do every day at  The WasteShed: turning scrap fabric and art supplies into a rich resource for our community.

While our our expert panel of judges have already selected their favorite designs (see below), we are now turning our People’s Choice award over to YOU.  Donate to vote for your favorite designer and help us reach our $10,000 goal.  

Our PEOPLE’S CHOICE poll begins now. To cast your vote: simply make a donation of any amount and include your favorite designer’s name in the comments. See contestants' bios, process and pieces below, review the runway on our livestream recording and cast your vote! Polls will close at midnight on June 1st, and our People’s Choice winner will be announced on June 2nd!

guest entries (non-competing)

Triveni Institute - TRASHION REVOLUTION - preview guest entry

Alan Emerson Hicks

(he/him)
IG @Emerson_428

Bio: Alan was born in Chicago, Illinois and studied sculpture at Illinois State University where he received a Bachelor's of Fine Art degree. Alan is a a Chicago-based artist working in the media of found materials, plastics and time.

Title: Plastic Prairie Bride

Process: I consider my pieces wearable sculptures and not necessarily clothing. My background is in sculpture and I've always enjoyed working with the figure. With this work I've combined my affinity for both the figure and found materials.

Model: Donielle Davenport (she/her) Photo: Glitterguts

DiscarDisco 2021 1st Place Winner - guest entry

Blair Goldman

(she/her)
@blairs.wear

Bio: Blair is a fashion designer, sewing instructor, and two-time DiscarDisco alumnus.

Title: Electric Antoinette

Process: I wanted to incorporate my playful style into the Rags and Riches theme. I couldn't resist using the cardboard box to a Rococo style wig, and I highlighted the dino fabric by creating a pannier hoop skirt. The dress was constructed using a vintage sewing pattern from 1948 (bought at the WasteShed, of course!!).

Model: Veronica Williams (she/her) @ veronica.speaks_ Redeaux Clothing

Ette The Wedding Tailor - Sponsored Guest Entry

Ette The Wedding Tailor

ettetailor.com

Bio: Started in 2018 as a sister company of Mignonette Bridal, Ette Tailor provides couture wedding gown alterations, vintage wedding gown revamping, bespoke services, and accessories, all perfectly tailored to fit your body and style. Our inclusive approach to wedding style means that all brides are welcome, and our knowledgeable and highly skilled fitters and tailors believes that every bride is unique and deserves to be treated to a personal tailoring experience—luxurious but never fussy.

Title: Opulent Evolution

Process:Using the inspiration, we started with the under dress (the rags part) creating distress and texture. We then created the red pleated structures reminiscent of cocooning butterfly wings over the dress with gold details. The large hat was inspired by famous transformations in Hollywood such as Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

Competitive Entries

Designers below are listed in the order of runway their runway appearance.

Mary O’Brien

(she/her)

IG @_maryob_

Bio: I am a 24 year old budding sewist and artist residing in Logan Square with my amazing fiancé. Fashion and sustainability have always been passions of mine, but only very recently have I begun to explore creating my own clothing.

Title: Royal Star Fleet Commander

Process:I used the fabrics, zipper, buttons, beads, ribbon, marbles, thread, and wires from my box to create my design. I added a black fabric, which was in my stash and is secondhand, along with a slider obtained from the AIBI fabric sale. I wanted to make functional pieces, on top of a fun design, so I used the maroon fabric to create two fairly structured base garments and added embellishments and the removable fringe cape to build it out.

Model: Self

Mary Miller

(she/her)
@mary.l.miller.5622022

Bio: I've been sewing since I was eleven. I especially like plushie Peeps and bunnies.

Title: Flatforms and Bunny purse

Process:I incorporated trims, wool, scraps of foam, and a table cloth. I mainly sewed it all together.

Model: Self

Melissa Weinmann

(she/her)

@meliscity_creates

Photo: Ambercita

Bio: I am a creator extraordinaire, and I have done a little bit of everything. I love to cook and make cocktails, craft jewelry, sew clothing, and create homemade body products. I am on a journey towards a zero-waste lifestyle and I specifically love using trash or discarded items to create something new and practical.

Title: Country Western Meets East Coast Preppy Chic

Process: I wanted to create a look that I could wear after DiscarDisco, so I created 3 main pieces: a top, corset and skirt, so I could wear it in my everyday life. This way, I could mix these two mismatched fabrics and create items that can be worn on their own.

Model: Self

Rebecca Poulson

(she/her)

IG @betterwithsweaters

Bio: Rebecca Poulson is a folk fashion enthusiast sewing and knitting in Uptown. Previously she's been a software engineer, bartender, playwright and reality tv home renovation production assistant (DiscarDisco actually felt a lot like that last one). Rebecca grew up in a family of very serious quilters and reconnected with her sewing machine in 2020. She is currently in the process of developing a small collection of patterns for home sewists.

Title: Untitled

Process: Since the fabrics in my box were quite structured, the first thing I did was look through my stash for anything that could add drape. When I found the purple velvet, I decided to lean all the way in on purple and overdye the paisley which I had never done before. I was interested in making very feminine and traditional silhouette kind of slouchy and cozy and personal so I used a lot of topstitching and hand stitched details.

Model photo: Self
Model Runway: Zai Inee (she/her) @zai_inee Redeaux Clothing

Audrey Green

(she/her)

audreygreendesigns.com IG @audreydgreen

Bio: I'm an illustrator and graphic designer who happens to also love sewing as a hobby! I think it runs in my DNA because my mom is a proficient sewist and was/is always experimenting with fun and creative textile projects. I learned how to sew clothing for myself about 5 or 6 years ago from following simple patterns, and became really interested in figuring out how different kinds of garments come together. It was great being part of this challenge because I hadn't really made as much time for sewing lately and it kind of reignited my enjoyment while pushing me to try new things, like drafting a jacket pattern!

Title: Clown College Prep

Process:The pink and green plaid fabric that I got in my box inspired me to go with a preppy/sporty varsity look (the "riches"), while the overall soft colors and other fun materials in the box made me want to take a whimsical, clown-inspired spin on it (the "rags"). I also used the skirt in my box for the jacket lining fabric, and for the other main fabrics in the outfit I thrifted a light green plaid pillowcase, a pink tee-shirt (for the collar and cuffs of the jacket), and a light pink tablecloth. The wire is sewn into the shoulder and shorts ruffles to give them some extra structure and shape, and after spray-painting the buttons and marbles with a paint I already had, they worked great for the accessories and other adornments.

Model: Self

Marie Wohadlo

(she/her)

fodomosaics.com IG @fodopro

Bio: A lifelong fabriholic and sensible hoarder, Marie always looks to that which can be repurposed. Currently she is working with recycled glass, to make representational and semi-abstract Fodomosaics(.com) but will always return to fiberarts when inspiration strikes from within or randomly imposed, such as DiscarDisco.

Title: Untitled

Process:Hand smocking, machine stitching, glass fusing, beading, wirework, macrame, and metalwork.

Model Photo: Krissy Rodriguez
Model Runway: Veronica Williams (she/her) @ veronica.speaks_ Redeaux Clothing

Susan Abelson

(she/her)

IG @susanhats

Bio: I am an artist who currently focuses on making hats, using recycled materials such as felted sweaters and other discarded clothes. I have a business called *SUSAN*HAT* and a wee shop in Rogers Park.

Title: Tartan Walking Outfit

Process: My challenge was how much I should honor the symmetry of the plaid. I used nearly everything in the box, adding only a few golden beads I had in my studio. I enjoyed "drawing" with the yellow thread, and using the wire for a sculptural touch. Outfit is sewn on machine and a bit of hand stitching.

Model: Self

Ben Argenta Kress

(he/him)

IG @benargenta

Bio: Ben Argenta Kress is a costume designer and visual artist primarily interested in who we are and who we can be, together and alone. Informed by his interest in psychology and sociology, these musings have been central to Ben’s work.

Title: Dream Suit

Process:I was inspired by my attraction as a kid to the flashy lining of suits, so wanted to really highlight that with my two fabrics. The rest of the materials were used for the accessories and detailing on the suit (paracord piping and metallic thread detail stitching). The glasses were inspired by the early 2000s narrow glasses I had when I was younger.

Model: Self

Hereaclitus

(xe/they)

linktr.ee/hereaclitus @hereaclitus everywhere

Bio: What if Madame Curie was a Transgender Trashionista. And being a Queer Maxmillist was regarded as the lauded scientific inquiry that it is. Then, I'd win a noble prize for my re-activity creativity. Discovering that curiosity, experimentation, and wonder is how we transform trash, ourselves, and probably the planet.

Title: Madame Curies Wonder Cape where she discovered the secret spell of the fiddle ferns spiralling to save the planet from mass destruction!

Process: Brainstorm, fantasize, test, repeat, test, experiment, repeat, reflect, detail, and have fun. In the free box I found a Harry Potter map, where I cut out the castles, dragons, and ships. They were glued onto the sequins oceans scape. Leather scraps and Feathers made a burning factory. The Fiddle ferns hold the secret to the abundance tree.

Model: Erik the Red (they/them) @extrabig

Amy Jahnke

(she/her)

IG @aj_makes_stuff

Bio: Amy is a third-generation home sewist who is always up for a creative challenge. She promised to buy no "new" clothes a few years ago, and has done pretty well thrifting or making things since then. Fellow sewists will note that she did not vow not to buy fabric. Amy works in graphic design and lives in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Title: Holly Golightly Goes to an Art Party

Process:I leaned into the really nice herringbone and linen fabrics, making the base dress and bolero garments that can be re-worn. The 60's-inspired outfit is made Disco-worthy with the addition of fun elements like the necklace, marble button, and in particular the Party Armor (made of scraps from AIBI). It was a blast using so many techniques to create this outfit: not just sewing, but sculpting, paper mache and good old hot glue all played a role! Vintage earrings from the WasteShed complete the look.

Model: Self

Anna Hart Turner

(she/her)

erranthart.com IG, TikTok @errant_hart

Bio: Anna Hart Turner is a mixed media textile artist with a background in fashion design. Combining materials and techniques in unexpected ways is what drives her creative processes.

Title: Progress not Perfection

Process: I used all the materials in my box and supplemented with fabric from FabScrap (sash on top) an old road kit sample from work (facing of pant) and my mask I made from fabric that was in the free bin at a fashion company where I interned (I think it was a test print) I draped my top on a dress form and patterned my pants based on Holly McQuillan’s zero waste spiral pant concept. I looked at blogs and made mock-ups from AIBI fabric sale fabric before making my final pant.

Model: Self

Stephanie Wong

(she/her)

stephanieynwong.com IG @studioswong

Bio: Calling many places around the world home, I design, weave, sew, and dye mostly in Chicago. Many archives inspire my work: the histories of the queer community, Asian America, and the Spanish Pacific. I am currently writing my doctoral dissertation about Mexican history at Brown University.

Title: Caliban

Process: In the spirit of global Southern zero waste, I handwove the central garment from rags gleaned from the DiscarDisco box, AIBI scraps, my own stash of offcuts, and those of my friends and colleagues. The inner garment is sewn from drag costume offcuts; I made accessories from the DiscarDisco box (nunchaku, purse); the wig and shoes are repurposed from drag costumes.

Model: Jaime/Auntie Chan

Theo

(she/her)

Tiktok @girl.theo

Bio: When I was little I told my mom I wanted to go to fashion school and she said no but now we both make clothes and love trash so that’s cute

Title: I watched 5 and a half seasons of Gilmore Girls while making this

Process: It’s supposed to be a transformation from the first look (rags- shapeless cape with unfinished hems) to the second look (riches: the cape becomes a long and impractical train. Who wears trains? Rich ppl).

Model: Tina (she/they)

Jose Ochoa

(he/him)

Photo: Natasha Mraz

IG @jose_makes_art

Bio: José Ochoa is a self-taught visual artist who began developing sustainable fiber assemblage pieces in response to his grief of personal loss. In the short time since José began this journey, his art has been included in exhibitions nationwide, such as River Oaks Art Center (Louisiana), View Center for the Arts (New York), Webster Arts Center (Kansas City), and Fine Line Art Gallery (Illinois). Most recently, one of his pieces was part of the Next Gallery’s Annual Casa Bonita Show, which Westword media describes as “one of the biggest, most high-profile gallery shows in the Denver area.”

Title: Jardín para Elfida

Process: I am an emerging sustainable mixed media artist who transforms used textiles and materials found at home into colorful, sustainable art. The fashion industry is one of the most significant contributors to global pollution and waste. Seeing all types of textiles piling up in my own home prompted me to experiment with different ways to give these materials a second life and to keep them out of landfills. The old saying “one man's trash is another man's treasure” is relevant and needed today, but “one person’s old t-shirt is someone else’s wildflower landscape collage” is much more fun.

Model: Aeris Brown (she/hers)

Jessica Van Winkle

(she/her)

jessicavanwinkle.com IG @jessicavwinkle

Bio: Jessica Van Winkle is a costume and fashion designer based in Chicago. She specializes in theatre, drag, and performance wear and seeks to find extravagance, joy, and humor in everything she creates. Jessica is passionate about size inclusivity and designs for EVERY body. She is so excited to be part of this year's DiscarDisco!

Title: Inferno

Process: I received 2 fabrics, a variety of buttons, lace, a belt buckle, colorful wire, a yellow zipper and some marbles as part of my mystery box, my goal in this process was to create something really high fashion out of these things that didn't- at first- seem to naturally go together. I started with creating my turtleneck, dress, and legwarmers and then worked on incorporating all the unconventional materials. The actual box and confetti filling became a purse, wires became external boning, purse handles and support for a giant bow, marbles became the purse fastener and lace and buttons were used to embellish! I am especially proud of the invisible zipper install!

Model: Merle (she/her) @afemmemerle

Alice Maiterth

(she/her)

Bio: Alice Maiterth is a writer and comedian from Chicago. She likes to play with context, exaggeration and colors.

Title: Space Age Barbie

Process:Using the required material was paramount, so I staged them as statement pieces on a black bodice background. I loved using the bendy wires as structure and the bold patterns as building blocks.

Model: Self

Jess Crane

(she/her)

jesscrane.com @jesscranedesign

Bio: Jess Crane is a multidisciplinary creative professional, business consultant, and founder of Jess Crane Design LLC. With expertise in various fields, including concept design, product development, marketing, event planning, business development, graphic design, music, and writing, she offers consultation and services to help businesses thrive. She is also a connector who brings creative and business communities together through networking and public events.

Title: Down the Rabbit Hole

Process:I was inspired by the embroidered bunny and though of a wonderland tea party with the rabbits. I utilized all of my materials and incorporated one extra fabric, gold spray paint, reused elastic, sewing, glue, a old headband, patternmaking, and hand embroidery.

Model Photo: Self
Model Runway: Madeline Ray @madhazray

Jenna Summa

(they/them)

@jennaraeart

Bio: Jenna Summa is a multidisciplinary artist, who went to art school for painting but focuses primarily on textile and print production. They were raised in the South but are proud to call Chicago home. They strive to make work that is joyful, layered, and textural.

Title: Lush Garden

Process: I incorporated all items from the box in some way, primarily the two striped cotton fabrics, though the light white cotton was dyed orange and used as lining in the hat and mask. I supplemented with completely thrifted items: two bed sheets, one bright orange tshirt, and the shoe base, along with a pack of polymer clay. Riches for me is a lush garden, which was the inspiration for the twisting shapes and cut away layers.

Model: Self

Ellouise Davis

(she/her)

Bio: I am a costume maker, I work professionally at the lyric Opera. I take the reuse, reduce, recycle, repurpose life seriously. I love to be creative, especially within restrictions of using what I have on hand!

(Design left)

Title: Layers and structure

Process:I used only items from my discard box or what I already owned. I pulled the bulk of my patterns from items in my closet with a lot of modification for those lantern sleeves!

Model: Self

Courtney Batio & Michael Dreger

(she/her) & (he/they)

 @Courttbattio @itsmemdd

Bio: Courtney BATIO is a creative director and visual artist in Chicago. Her multidisciplinary background of fashion design and performance art are what informs her work today. She works with a material based approach, creating wearable art pieces like this through draping. She is the founder and creative director of Batio Studio located in the historical Flat Iron Arts building.

(Design Right)

Title: Blossom The King

Process:Took each material & evolved it: the salmon fabric had the flowers cut out & structured, using the rest as rags with the black faux snakeskin as the skirt base. The buttons & beads became crown adornments while the cord became dress structure & the wires flower stamen! We pulled a few remnant pieces from a pile, 2 for structure & 1 for accent. Overall, a fantastic challenge of making something less exciting shine bright!!

Model: Self - Michael Dreger (he/they)

judges’ accolades

Honorable Mentions

-

Honorable Mentions -

Stephanie Wong and Jose Ochoa received honorable mention from our judges panel for outstanding work. Judge J. Frausto applauded Jose’s story telling through his garment construction and Judge Iyomi Ho Ken acknowledged Stephanie’s incredible hard work in constructing a hand woven garment.

winners!

-

winners! -

2nd runner up - Jenna summa

Judge Anna Hovet Dias introduced Jenna Summa’s 2nd Runner up prize - noting the judge’s love of the complete execution of a joyful interpretation of their materials. Watch here.

 
 

1st runners up - courtney batio & michael dreger

Judge Lauren Lein announced that the high-couture design by Courtney Batio (and collaborator Michael Dreger) won 1st Runner up prize for the ‘beautiful beautiful beautiful wonder cape’ for the detail and handiwork. Watch here.

 
 

and our GRAND PRIZE 1st Place Winner - Ellouise Davis

Judge Melissa Carter awarded our grand prize to Ellouise Davis for her construction, design on her beautiful suit piece with interesting mod inspired silhouette. Ellouise’s face was pure shock! Watch here.

 

1st place awarded to Ellouise Davis (Design Left)

 

Thank you to all of our contestants - <3 -The wasteshed team

 

DiscarDisco 2023 - Rags to Riches -Meet our Judges Panel!!

DiscarDisco is just around the corner! Yesterday our illustrious judges received contestant’s video submissions of their work and scorecards. Judges are tasked with rating each contestant on: Creativity, Design and Construction.

The top 20 contestants will be competing for our top 3 grand prizes and to help raise money for our mission! Help them turn Rags into Riches by donating to The WasteShed at donorbox.org/discardisco-2023

Contestants have poured their heart and soul into this transformation of our upcycled fabric, notions and bits. This will be a difficult choice, but we’ve selected a well seasoned panel of judges for their work in fashion, design and sustainability.

Meet our Judges!

 

J Frausto
(they/them he/him)

Thrifter, Designer, Stylist
@the.thrifted.gay

 

J Frausto is a Mexican/Puerto Rican Chicago native who identifies as queer. They found their style through their gender expression that led to being an androgynous thrift stylist. After styling people who identified as queer they realized there is a need to bridge the gap to make clothes gender affirming. 

 

Lauren Lein (she/her)

Apparel Industry Board President
EndangerUS LLC.

Lauren Lein is notable as a 25 year Chicago Fashion veteran. Lauren is a four-term president of the Apparel Industry Board, Inc. and a proud member of The Service Club of Chicago. Lauren’s adult children, Andreah and Drew, serve as an inspiration for many of her favorite design pieces. 

EndangerUS - Lauren’s LLC- designs and/or produces their clothing with seamers and contractors across the city and beyond practicing safe methods, sustainability, fair wages, and excellent working conditions. LLLTD uses primarily eco-friendly and natural fabrics — and practices re-purposing with all garments, masks, and samples produced. 

 

Melissa Carter
(she/her)

Owner Kameo Vintage
I Am The Carter Projekt

 

Melissa returned to Chicago by way of New York in 2020, Melissa launched her successful slow impact style studio, Kameo Vintage, and it’s sister brand – I Am The Carter Projekt, with a variety of services including, style curation, influencer and speaking ventures. When she is not serving “lewks” and inspiration on social media, you’ll find her making waves in her community. She’s shaken up the North Shore with her vibrant energy, her commitment to the art of storytelling through fashion—specifically slow fashion—and her commitment to provide inspiration to the youth and budding fashionistas of Chicago. She is an active mentor and philanthropist, and often speaks to groups and working with organizations that help others nurture their dreams. She is a member of FGI, Chicago Costume Council, Josselyn Auxiliary Board, and Jack and Jill of America.

Melissa is uniquely talented implementing a modern luxury approach to slow fashion.  That is what you will find at Kameo Vintage.  I Am The Carter Projekt reveals the magic that she brings through her own personal style, personality and creative direction.

 

Anna Hovet Dias (she/her)

Owner Hovet Fashion Studio
Director Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s|
SAIC - Faculty

 

Anna Hovet Dias is a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and educator with 17 years experience in corporate and small business fashion companies. After running her own fashion line for 9 years, she pivoted her company into Hovet Fashion Studio, a fashion school and consulting agency. Anna is also the Executive Director of the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street, a nonprofit that supports local fashion designers. Anna teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she earned her BFA in 2007. Anna is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience to encourage creativity and female entrepreneurship in Chicago.

 

Iyomi Ho Ken
(she/her)

Fashion Designer
CFDA Scholar

 

Iyomi’s first interest in clothing began when she was younger, drawing clothes and making them for her dolls. Wanting to expand, she focused on creating clothes for herself after finding most didn’t fit her properly as a long limbed adolescent. This- along with her love for drawing, painting, and all things craft- opened up a world of self expression. Deciding to primarily focus on making clothing as art in her college years sprouted from realizing fashion is an art form. She grew weary of only creating pieces that would “sell.”

With this came a series of exploration, involving race and color theory in a majority of her undergrad work. During this period, she was awarded 2 scholarships from the CFDA for her third year collection; making her the largest scholarship recipient of the CFDA & SAIC’s undergrad history.

Her work has been shown through in person & online exhibition’s, along with the SAIC Fashion Program’s Show in the Spring of 2022. She currently works in Chicago pursuing her personal practice and as a fashion designer for the brands "House of Aama" & "Kercher Studio.”


Meet our judges live at our show, or watch streaming! Tickets and info at thewasteshed.com/discardisco