How a small part of our Annual Auction transformed into our biggest event yet
If you attended a Habitat Whatcom Raise the Roof Auction in the past four years, you likely remember the Trashion Show as one of the most unique and entertaining parts of the evening. It’s not every day that you see someone sporting a dress comprised of pop can tabs or a gown of used men’s ties. Each year, a handful of participants would don their creatively designed outfits constructed from recycled materials and showcase them during the auction to impress the attendees.
While the ideas and applause were always big, the Trashion Show itself was small – taking up just about 20 minutes of the full 3-hour Auction. But this year, Habitat Whatcom took a leap of faith and made the Trashion Show an event of its own.
“We decided to make the Trashion Show a standalone event because of how much people enjoyed it at our auction,” said Kelli Fulton, the Events and Donor Relations Manager at Habitat Whatcom. “We saw great potential to make it into a fundraiser.”
On Friday, June 7th, nearly 200 people gathered at Fisherman’s Pavilion on Bellingham Bay to see the spectacularly sustainable outfits dreamed up by our 17 participating designers and models. Each participant was challenged to create an outfit that embodied the theme of “Eco-Chic Elegance” and was made from at least 70% recycled materials.
“We were blown away at the designer’s interest in the Trashion Show,” said Kelli, “The slots filled up so quickly, we had to close the submission form a week early!”
Kelli and the whole Habitat team worked hard to pull out all of the stops and transform what used to be a 20-minute event into a full-blown fashion show. 17 models strutted their stuff on a full-runway stage, lit by professional lighting, accompanied by music from a live DJ and the narration of Shannon Day, our charismatic MC. The audience applauded and sometimes gasped in surprise as each ensemble appeared on stage. From bottle-cap jackets to paper grocery bag dresses to water bottle spiral skirts, every model came dressed to impress.
The judges had a tough choice in selecting first place, runner-up, and best model. Though there was an influx of fantastic new designers this year, three designers who have graced the Trashion Show stage in the past came away with the awards – fueling a strong competition for future Trashion Shows as more designers get involved.
“It’s not just about fashion—it’s about making a difference and celebrating the beauty of sustainable choices,” said Courtney Bartley, the Director of the Habitat Store, which puts on the event. “Recycling plays a crucial role in our mission to keep materials out of the landfill, and the Trashion Show is a perfect example of this commitment.”
In addition to the show itself, there were raffles, games, a silent auction featuring creatively upcycled furniture from the Habitat Store, and even a “paper bag competition” where the audience got a chance to craft their own Trashion outfits. Attendees also enjoyed the food and beverage options from local favorites like Doug’s Burgers, Kombucha Town, Kulshan, and Otherlands Brewing. The Habitat Store also ran a successful clothing drive where one donated bag of clothing could be exchanged for a raffle ticket.
The leap of faith we took to pull off an event unlike any we have had before was well worth it thanks to the folks from Whatcom County and beyond who showed up to share their support of sustainability, affordable housing, and having a fashionably fun Friday evening. The 2024 Trashion Show raised $22,315 for Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County.
“I am extremely thankful for the support that we received for the Trashion Show,” said Kelli. “I am proud to be a member of this great community and look forward to building relationships and repeating this amazing event next year!”
We have many local businesses and organizations to thank for sponsoring the Trashion Show, including Guardian NW, Shenandoah Myrick, Lautenbach Recycling, Flip Kids Consignment, Labels Consignment, Brie Mueller, A+ Cleanups, Rumors Cabaret, and Little Red Wagon.
We’ve already begun hearing from community members and local businesses about their ideas for participating in next year’s show. If you’re interested in getting involved in the 2025 Trashion Show, contact Kelli at kelli.fulton@hfhwhatcom.org
You can find a full list of sponsors, view a gallery from the event, and learn all about the winning outfits from our 2024 Trashion Show at hfhwhatcom.org/trashion.
