Passionately made second-hand clothes made an impressive mark on their audience at the annual year-end fashion show at Humber College’s North Campus on April 11.
Students in the Fashion Arts and Business program partnered with the Salvation Army to display their creativity by giving second-hand garments a new life.
This year’s show was called Méchant, which is French for wicked, and it allowed students to tap into a darker aesthetic than prior years.
“The concept was collaborative with everyone,” said Ekta, a Fashion and Business student working in stage and production. She and other students refused to provide their full names. “We pitched our concepts to the class, and this is the final one we came up with.”
Setting the scene with pounding electronic music by DJ Kevin Marshall, audience members were transported from Humber’s Barrett Centre to a grungy, fog-filled nightclub.
Graphic makeup and striking hair add to this student's interpretation of this year's theme. Photo credit: Niharika Nayak
This deviated heavily from last year’s fashion show The Maximalist, as its bright colours and funky patterns were scrapped and replaced with oversized menswear, black and metal detailing.
Clothing from the Salvation Army’s Dundas Street and Dixie Road location in Mississauga had new life breathed into it with added details like wings made from safety pins, appearing on the runway.
“I think that aesthetics-wise this is the next step of fashion,” said Celeste, a second-year Fashion student. “This show is a mixture of punk and Y2K digital influence, which I really enjoyed.”
The devil is in the details with this pair of wings made of safety pins. Photo credit: Niharika Nayak
Ted Troughton, managing director of Salvation Army Thrift Stores National Recycling Operations Canada, was impressed by the creativity seen on the runway.
“I think seeing things like this and the creativity you can get from your local thrift store at a price where it’s not very expensive is amazing,” Troughton said.
Students graduating from Humber College have partnered with the Salvation Army for several years, allowing sustainability to play a crucial role in their creative abilities.
“By buying second hand we’re not only saving water and energy but also significantly reducing carbon emissions and textile waste,” said Yverson Huiting, host of Méchant.
Canada is home to an estimated 1,400 used merchandise stores and about half of Canadians purchase second-hand goods, according to Statista.
The Salvation Army has more than 100 thrift stores, so it only made sense that Humber partners with a company that values sustainability while being budget-friendly.
An example of the various textiles and layering techniques seen walking down the runway. Photo credit: Niharika Nayak
“It’s good for the environment, it’s good for the local community, and it’s good for your pocketbook because it’s a great way to save money,” said Tonny Colyn, national director of Business Development and Sustainability at The Salvation Army National Recycling Operations.
Students seconded Colyn’s thoughts regarding the benefits of thrifting, especially during economic hardship.
“Considering how we’re on the bridge of another recession, I feel like the discussion around thrifting and sustainability speaks to the times we’re currently in,” Jamarion said.
Not only is buying second-hand sustainable, but it also allows for one man’s trash to be another’s treasure, he said.
“Buying second-hand is like a revival with a new twist,” Jamarion said.
Representatives from the Salvation Army were in attendance to see what the graduating class could create out of secondhand clothing. Photo credit: Niharika Nayak
Regarding the Salvation Army’s continued partnership with Humber College, they said they foresee it being a long and fruitful one.
“We love that students, professors, and their family and friends learn more about what it means to be sustainable through shopping thrift,” Colyn said. “It’s a part of the circular economy, and this all goes back into communities that support our social services.”
“It’s a critical partnership, and we want to continue to do these kinds of things,” Troughton said. “This is the future.”
The outfits featured in Méchant are available for purchase at the Humber Boutique in room H-344.