Environmental consciousness and fashion rarely go hand
in hand. The Fashion Machine endlessly churns out new garments,
gobbling up resources (both natural and synthetic), spending
massive ad dollars to convince us that last year's styles
simply will not suffice--we need to buy more. But fashion
and eco-friendliness don't have to be mutually exclusive.
The Sustainable Fashion Show, held in conjunction with the
City of Portland Green Team-sponsored Green Fair at the
Portland Building on June 15, was an entertaining reminder
that the two can, indeed, coexist.
This was the first fashion show presented by the volunteer
Green Team, a small group of city employees that sponsors
and educates its coworkers on sustainable living. Eco-curious
citizens perused booths representing resale shops, hemp
and organic cotton clothing makers, used record stores,
local artisans and energy-conservation companies and groups
on the second floor during the early afternoon. Then nearly
a hundred spectators of all ages gathered at noon in the
auditorium to see city employees strut their recycled stuff.
A local celebrity panel of judges featuring Commissioner/fashion
plate Dan Saltzman, drag queen extraordinaire Darcelle and
actor Rod James (the old codger from Scott Thomason ads
and a veteran of Tony & Tina's Wedding) judged
each model. Master of ceremonies and local media fixture
Margie Boulé introduced the models, describing the
crafty outfits and rating their sustainability factor based
on three criteria: the outfit itself, the model's explanation
of what made it environmentally sound and audience reaction.
Darcelle, decked out in an elaborate gown covered in sequins
and rhinestone jewelry galore, gave the models a crash course
on how to swagger across the stage (wish I had that swing
in my backyard!), even slinking into the lap of a surprised
man in the front row.
Several of the dozen or so eco-conscious fashionistas in
the show dressed in similarly stunning used--or, rather,
"rediscovered"--clothes. Affirmative-action officer Rosemary
Kirwin-Alvord and workers' comp claims adjuster Vickie Bisby
coordinated pieces from Goodwill and resale shops. Jean
Paye, liability-claims technician and show coordinator,
sauntered around in a flowy, printed nylon ensemble she
bought at the funky (and now defunct) retro shop Big Bang
10 years ago. Subrogations technician Cathey Georgeton demonstrated
her philosophy of hanging onto old clothes and giving them
new energy when they come back into style with a wild combo
of stretch pants, a red velvet hat, deco-print top and red
socks and heels (which Darcelle openly coveted)--all from
resale shops for a total of only $15.
The Bureau of Environmental Services employees really won
over the crowd, though. Susan Keil took the stage in an
outfit she sported in 1992 when the city recycling program
began, with hot pink leggings, T-shirt, sneakers and compostable
bag worn as a shirt. Judy Crockett of the recycling section
of BES appeared on the stage disguised as "just another
faceless bureaucrat," but then revealed herself from under
a richly-colored, hooded cape (made from Goodwill clothing
scraps) as "Food Waste Super Woman," whose mission was to
get food out of the trash and into compost piles. No resource-wasting
dry cleaning required here--the cape (complemented by rubber
boots) can simply be hosed down. Petite Debra Khoja, an
assistant in the director's office at BES, wore her kids'
hand-me-downs: a Pokemon T-shirt, fleece vest covered in
their awards certificates, sneakers and a hat coated in
toys.
And the winner is...cute and creative couple Robert Bennett,
Program Coordinator for the Energy Office, and his girlfriend,
Courtney Yilk. The two had fashioned recyled, blue plastic
tarps into a ball gown-sized skirt for her and a vest for
him, with duct-tape details and polyester shirt and slacks.
The best accessory of the show--provoking lots of "oohs!"
and "ahhs!"--was Coco's plastic take-out lunch box as pocketbook
(she added a strap).
This was a display of impressively low-maintenance dressing,
requiring very little detergent and water use. Even so,
I don't think we'll see Saltzman trading in his usual suit
for tarp vests and polyester slacks anytime soon. At least
he takes his bins to the curb.
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