Plans are well under way for the 12th Recycled Runway which will take place this year on Saturday, August 31 at the St Martin’s Lutheran College gymnasium from 7pm.
A limited number of bags are still available for purchase for $10 at the Anglican Belltower Opportunity Shop for avid sewers to create a modelled or unmodelled entry in various categories for the event.
Contestants from as far away as Adelaide, Lucindale and even interstate have entered the competition, which will raise money for ac.care with raffle proceeds donated to the Nancy Wake Memorial Ride.
Recycled Runway contest manager Trudy-Anne Doyle said the categories included school aged, novice, open and experienced with $50 prizes for themed and wearable outfits in each section as well as a new prize for the best dressed audience member.
“We are just trying to bring that sort of recycling element back into it, because our main concern is we want it to be about recycling – but that means it has to be worn again,” she said.
“If it is just done for art and then hung in the cupboard, it is not quite the same, but I think there is still the encouragement of getting everyone into going to op shops, buying stuff and upcycling.”
Ms Doyle said of the 49 bags sold for the modelled class, she expects 30 will walk down the runway.
“The runway is a very tough task. There are quite a few new entries and they do not tend to finish,” Ms Doyle said.
“It is harder than people imagine, but the crowd is fairly warm and kind, everyone is appreciative of whatever comes out.”
Ms Doyle said this year’s theme was ‘Rock n Roll Runway’, which challenges contestants to design an outfit to match their chosen runway song or the artist who sings it.
“You can just make whatever you like if you want, the theme is voluntary but a people get a lot of fun out of trying to do the theme,” she said.
“They could make their outfit into whatever they like and then just choose their favourite song, there is no real rules, it is all about fun.”
Returning Recycled Runway contestant Kath Young is looking forward to the event.
“From a contestant point of view, you have got to like the music and it has got to be music the model can walk to,” she said.
“I find that this has been much more challenging from my point of view this year because you had to find the right music for when you get your bag to match it.”
“It is inspirational to see it all. I love walking around and seeing all the other stuff. It is interesting seeing what people have done.”
“On the night everything is themed which is so clever.”
For the first time, the unmodelled entries will be displayed at both the event and entered into the GEM Mount Gambier Spring Show in October this year.
Returning contender Grant High School and first time participant Allendale East Area School will enter in the unmodelled section in the schools category.
“I expect that we will get some pretty good unmodelled entries from the schools and then there are a few other people who have taken them for themselves,” Ms Doyle said.
“It gives you a good thing to do on the night. You can come, you can get a glass of wine, you can get a plate of nibbles and then you can walk around and have a look at the unmodelled.
“Overall, I think the unmodelled will be quite a success.”
Tickets for this year’s Recycled Runway are available online from Humanitix, starting from $20 for general admission.
