Armed with 40 dollars of St. Vincent de Paul’s clothing, ten local Eugene designers will create upscale styles in St. Vincent de Paul’s Metamorphose fashion show this Sunday, May 4.
Designers will combine their selected clothing from St. Vincent de Paul with their creative eye to create styles in three categories: “Evening wear,” “Ready to Wear” and “Designer’s Choice.” Eighty percent of the materials the designers use must come from St. Vincent de Paul stores.
Mitra Chester, a designer herself, is the brain behind this fashion challenge. She is also the force behind the DIY section at St. Vincent de Paul location on Division Avenue in Eugene.
Knowing that there was so much talent within the Eugene community and knowing what designers can create out of something that already exists served as the inspiration behind the creation of the fashion show.
“The fashion show has reciprocal benefits. In this show we can promote these designers within the community as well as show the community what upcycling is and the work that St. Vincent de Paul is doing,” said Chester. Up-cycling is the process of creating something new out of something that already exists.
According to Rebecca Larson, PR and development coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, proceeds from the Metamorphose fashion show will serve as a business incubator for Eugene’s emerging fashion industry and its local designers.
Marie Slatton-Valle, a local Eugene designer, has recently become a “master recycler,” through Lane County’s “Master Recycler Program,” which trains individuals to become experts on recycling and waste. This program has served as an inspiration for her participation in the fashion show.
“For me, as a designer, it’s important to me to find ways to reduce waste while making things,” said Slatton-Valle.
Slatton-Valle describes her designs as being fantasy-based, and for the “Designer’s Choice” portion of the show, she has created an avant-garde collection.
The transformed clothing will be showcased on the runway at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at 6:30 p.m. Designers will be judged and winners will be selected by the audience, as well as by a panel of judges. The show’s music will be provided by Mood Area 52 and there will be finger foods and beverages available.
Tickets are available in advance for 15 dollars and will be sold at the door for 20 dollars. The first 20 guests to arrive will win earrings from Chester’s new line created from recycled final records.
“I am just really excited about everything. When you work so hard on a project, and everyone plays an important role, it’s exciting to see how the crowd will respond,” said Chester.
Though this is the first year for Metamorphose, Chester expects the show to be a success and hopes it will become an annual event.