In celebration of Earth Day, fashionistas will transform junk to chic as they transform recyclable materials like soda cans and newspapers into high fashion at Queens Center during the “Recycle the Runway: An Econista Challenge” event.
Dawn Simon, senior manager of marketing for Queens Center, said that attendees can expect lots of fun, originality, and creativity on Thursday, April 22.
“They can look for ways to be style-conscious and environmentally-conscious at the same time, and also look forward to seeing some of our retailers participating in the event,” she said.
The contestants, who were chosen based on previously-submitted summaries written on their love for fashion, the importance of the environment, and what items they would plan on using, will have just one hour to design and create an eco-friendly yet stylish dress. A panel of judges will select the winning ensemble based on creativity, originality, and materials used.
The first place winner will be notified the same day and will receive a $500 Give Style Gift Card to Queens Center and will have their winning masterpiece displayed at the mall for at least a week. Gift cards in the amount of $200 and $100 will be given to the runners-up.
Three retailers will also be going green for the event, including H&M, which will show its Garden Collection. Sketchers will also put together a dress made of recyclable materials on a live mannequin, and Banana Republic will talk about their summer line and have mannequins dressed in their summer fashions.
“We just want to bring everyone’s mind to how we can support the environment in a fun way,” said Simon.
“Recycle the Runway” will be held on Thursday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to noon at Queens Center (Level 2, Home Entertainment Area in the JCPenney Wing), located at 90-15 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst.
