Before the curtains open on the runway, guests can enjoy interactive installations and art making experiences at YAA’s Main Museum location within Broward Mall. A selection of light bites and beverages provided by Red Chair Catering, Planet Grilled Cheese, Lime Fresh, Regal Cinemas, and Milo’s Tea will be available to enjoy. Adding to the excitement of the night is a virtual silent auction with entertainment options to fine art. Also a Museum activation from Visit Barbados. Throughout the museum guests will find art experiences for all ages and more exclusive offerings for the special evening!
* Online ticket sales have closed, please purchase tickets at the door for $65
Program
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The Runway Show Starts at 6:30pm
* Seating will begin at 6pm
2023
Behind the Garments Walking the Runway:
Garment #1
Designer: Bianca Model: Jokebed
Environmental Issue: Deforestation and Draining in the Everglades
Materials: Newspaper, Magazines, Wipes, Water Bottles
“My dress is based on deforestation and draining in the Everglades. I chose to use paper because my inspiration comes from Mark Bradford, who uses paper in a really artistic way. I decided on both newspaper and magazines because of their colors and auras. Newspaper being dull and industrial, like sky scrapers and offices and the magazines being full of color, representing diverse, vibrant nature. The dress itself is paper mâché which consisted of cutting multiple pieces of paper, creating a cardboard mold, and plastering all of the parts. Deforestation is a really important topic because of how much of the Everglades we consumed just to create more homes and businesses. Hence, giving more than 90% of my dress is covered by the newspaper and why I have the protruding buildings on the shoulder, along with the words — MOVE OVER.”
Garment #2
Designer: Delilah as Model
Environmental Issue: Mangrove Migration
Material: Plastic Bottles, Caps, and Upcycled Dress
“The design is based on mangroves; the recycled water bottles represent the mangrove leaves and roots. My favorite part of making the dress was adding the recycled materials to the upcycled dress.”
Garment #3
Designers: Zhai, Shanyia, and Sarah as Model
Environmental Issue: Pollution Affecting the Everglades
Material: Magazines and Upcycled Dress
“The best part about making the dress was coming up with an idea of how our dress would convey the message of “pollution”. What we learned while creating this garment is trying to bring your imagination to life is hard.”
Garment #4
Designer: Nicole Model: Victoria
Environmental Issue: Water pollution in the Everglades caused by phosphorus in agriculture and storm water runoff
Material: Clear Plastic Waste, Recycled Cloth
“Phosphorus in agriculture is red, which is why I made the base of my dress red. I made it look like a raincoat in relation to the water pollution and storm water runoff. I wanted it to look the most modern possible, representing that more recently people have been moving into South Florida and more of the Everglades is polluted. The design comes from the inspiration of the Metaverse.”
Garment #5
Designer: Ace Model: Jazara
Environmental Issue: Climate Change & WildFires
Material: Chip Bags, Mixed Media, and Upcycled Dress
“We need to be careful with our planet, we only have one. Recycle as much as possible.”
Garment #6
Designer: Meilin Model: Sophia
Environmental Issue: Urban Development
Materials: Feminine Hygiene Products, Plastic Wrappers, Garbage Bags
“The weaving pattern of my dress is the abstract version of the urban grid and how it has taken over the Everglades.”
Garment #7
Designers: Miley and Samantha as Model
Environmental Issue: Plastic Waste Affecting Wildlife
Material: Plastic Straws and Upcycled Dress
“We used cut-up plastic straws to create a pattern and layers of fringe. We hot glued all the straws to the base of our dress. I would like everyone to understand what the impact that plastic goods have on the environment. For example, turtles chew and choke on plastic. We have to start being more aware of how we are using and disposing of plastic goods.”
Garment #8
Designers: Crystal Model: Alice
Environmental Issue: Mercury Pollution
Material: Promotional Drawstring Bags from Events
“My garment is inspired by mercury pollution in the Everglades. It is found in the water and in some of its animal population. For the past decade, mercury level in the Everglades has been seven times higher than federal safety limits. The reason that this happens is that the Everglades is near large source of mercury such as coal-burning power plants and waste incinerators. It has contributed to species’ poor reproductive success, especially Florida Panthers. My garment is made of draw string bags. The navy color represents the body of water of the Everglades. The silver color represents the mercury in it. I want everyone to understand that mercury is deadly and must be reduced.”
Garment #9
Designers: Alison Model: Amara
Environmental Issue: Invasive Species; The Monk Parakeet
Material: Reused Plastic Table Clothes
“This species competes for resources with native wildlife and impacts Florida agriculture. The green variation and white represents the aesthetic features of the bird and the large draping of plastic represents the flocks of birds and their negative effects.”
Garment #10
Designers: Khandi, Theresa, and Nakayla as Model
Environmental Issue: Invasive Species; The Burmese Python
Materials: Cloth Masks, Spoons, Recycled Cloth, and Leaves
“The environmental issue that impacts this design is Invasive Species. The python especially inspires this dress. Our vision was to embody a snake in a dress to show one of the issues in the Everglades. The vision of the dress was also to utilize the plastic spoons and recycle masks to make impact.”
Congratulations Winners!
1st Place
Bianca Cadet
2nd Place
Meilin Cuevas Luy
3rd Place
Crystal Huang
People's Choice
Samantha & Miley
Featured Artist: Sonya Sanchez Arias
Born and raised on the cosmopolitan and bustling Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Sonya conveys the island’s fusion of color and abundance of artistic and cultural expressions with her PAPER DRESSES – each dress is entirely handmade from paper. Crediting her earliest influence to her mother’s creativity as an artist and costume maker. These intricately made PAPER DRESSES are yet another example of Sonya’s everyday work, transforming that which others see as ordinary into the sublime and extraordinary.
“When I make a piece, I create something that has never existed before, whether it’s found objects transformed into a mixed media assemblage, a photograph, or a piece of jewelry or fashions formed from recycled materials. I am always hopeful that through the process of excavating, discovering, and exposing my life’s influences and experiences, my art connects people, bringing understanding and perspectives that have the potential to challenge norms and expectations. ” – Sonya Sanchez Arias
Thank You Sponsors & Supporters!
Presenter
Girls Empowered Sponsor
Sponsors
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