Recycled Runway took to the skies at the St Martins Lutheran College gymnasium on the weekend with an aviation themed event called ‘Come Fly With Me’, raising funds for ac.care.

Fashion enthusiasts creatively upcycled a bag of second-hand clothing into a new, wearable garment or themed outfit which was entered in different categories including novice, experienced, open and high school at the Recycled Runway fashion show.

Of the 54 bags purchased for $10 at the Belltower Op Shop this year, 32 were turned into garments that hit the runway.

Recycled Runway event organiser Trudy-Anne Doyle said while there were less contestants than last year and a smaller crowd, the energy was sky high.

“We were really happy with how it went but certainly the numbers were down across the board in contestants,” she said.

Grant High School won the ‘Battle of the Schools Trophy’ led by teacher Michelle Berlin.

“We just basically award it to a school that does the most as far as trying to get entries and actually getting entries,” Ms Doyle said.

In the high school and under section Grant student Akifah Chaus took out the wearable outfit while Chloe Noonan in a green Tinkerbell inspired outfit won the best themed ensemble.

Niramol Clayfield (pictured) won the novice themed prize in a Thai inspired outfit while St Martins College teacher Steph McLauchlan was awarded the best wearable outfit.

Recycled Runway veteran Juspi was awarded the open themed outfit while newcomer Kathryn Kosliwicz won the best wearable outfit in the open category.

In the experienced category, the themed costume was taken out in a joint effort by Kath Young and Rose Slope while the wearable outfit was won by combined winners Amy Smith and Rebecca Yoannidis.

Jenny Cox won the prestigious People’s Choice award in an “absolutely fabulous” Mary Poppins outfit.

Ms Doyle said a highlight of the night was Tara Batten in the novice section in her kite outfit who had a lot of energy in her performance on the runway.

The unmodelled section will be judged later this month by Recycled Runway ex-committee members Zena Reiner and Elzette Le Roux and will also be entered into the Mount Gambier Spring Show next month.