DiscarDisco: What is it?
DiscarDisco is The WasteShed’s annual fabulous fashion show competition and primary fundraising event. Our DiscarDisco Designer’s Program culminates in a live runway show where our contestants get to show off their final designs amidst a crowd of other fashion- and sustainability-frenzied Chicagoans.
DiscarDisco takes center stage at the Chicago Athletic Association’s White City Ballroom at 7pm on April 13th, 2024 (doors at 6, don’t be late!)
DiscarDisco 2024 was a blast!
Designers, amateur and professional, entered our competition by unboxing a box of mystery 'trash' fabrics and notions selected from The WasteShed’s creative reuse center inventory. They had just a few months to design and construct full runway looks using those materials. This year’s theme… PatchWERK!
Check out our blog recap here!
DISCARDISCO is an evening of equal parts jaw-dropping runway show, fancy cocktail hour, and conscientious community event featuring a live runway show, dancing, crafting, silent auction and raffle. Join us to see and be seen!
VIP admission includes:
front row seating for the fashion show,
free drinks and signature cocktails for the first 2 hours,
a swag bag of cool sustainable local goods and some choice WasteShed items, and
access to the judges' deliberations as they choose the winners from our glittering array of trashion icons.
General Admission includes: General Admission
DiscarDisco is a 21+ event. Masks are strongly suggested and will be provided. The venue is wheelchair accessible, please contact discardisco@thewasteshed.com with any accessibility questions or needs.
Help award our designers’ efforts and support our show by contributing to our fundraiser here. Your donation is tax deductible and helps support our mission.
Support our Show!
Proceeds from DiscarDisco support
The WasteShed, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to preventing landfill and supporting arts and education.
Help us continue to showcase this beautiful display of work by donating today.
What is a Designer Box?
Designers entering our our competition are challenged to make a full wearable look from a Designer Box: a box of mystery materials curated by the WasteShed. Boxes included upcycled fabric and notions and odds and ends.
Designer boxes for 2024 are sold out.
Follow their progress with the hashtag #DiscarDisco2024 on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.
Want to get involved in DiscarDisco, but you're a corporation or local business?
Sponsor DiscarDisco
We are looking for sponsors for DiscarDisco 2024! If your company is interested in supporting this amazing event, check out our sponsorship options below:
Click here for our sponsorship menu
Sponsorships may be purchased on our webstore
Trashy and Trendy!
DiscarDisco is graciously co-presented by AIBI Chicago
The WasteShed’s 2024 programming is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
DiscarDiscos of the Not-So-Distant Past
Our first DiscarDisco premiered in February, 2020, at Chop Shop in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. We had a great time and were excited for the next year, unable to forsee the shutdown that was merely weeks away.
In February 2021, The WasteShed adapted and presented an entirely new type of event for us, a completely digital ‘Distant’ DiscarDisco: “Now is the Winter of Our Discarded Content.” Seventeen artists from Chicago and beyond competed for cash prizes and titles entirely remotely. This show was broadcast LIVE online, viewers could watch and comment live, and vote for People’s Choice for Best Design. Watch our full 2021 show here.
February of 2022, we returned to the runway and airwaves with a hybrid show DiscarDisco: Detritus Danceteria. 27 designers walked the runway at The Beat Kitchen in Chicago. See our blog wrap up of 2022.
In April of 2023 DiscarDisco had a glow-up! Our 4th annual sustainable sartorial soiree, Rags to Riches, 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 ballroom overlooking Michigan Ave. Check out our blog recap of the event here!
Watch our all of previous shows by clicking below!
Morgan Csejtey walks the runway at The Beat Kitchen at DiscarDisco' 2022.
PRESS
Press Release - DiscarDisco 2024: The WasteShed’s 5th Annual Trash Fashion Show
Chicago Reader Feature by Julia Lowe
The WasteShed on The Rundown Podcast
Contact Discardisco@thewasteshed.com