Bona Trashion Show Makes Statement

By Tate Slaven
SBU '14

Who would have thought someone could become a top model while wearing recycled mac and cheese boxes?

Well, Maggie Morris and her Sweet Charity design, modeled by Brianna Wilson, did just that April 3 at the Trashion Fashion Show when Morris was named “Top Trashionista.”

Trashion Show winnersThe annual Trashion Fashion Show is part of the Recyclemania initiative at St. Bonaventure University. The environmental student group Tread Lightly uses it to demonstrate multiple ways to incorporate recycling into daily life.

Twelve models prowled the catwalk and wowed the judges and the audience. Judges included Brenda McGee, senior vice president for finance and administration; Br. Ed Coughlin, O.F.M., vice president for Franciscan Mission; and junior Majella Shields, an Irish exchange student who will major in fashion management when she returns to Ireland for her senior year.

Friends and family filled the audience in support of the models and designers. Sophomore Ana Alonzo said she wasn’t in the audience just to support a friend who was modeling, but also to support her behind the scenes.

“Chernice (Miller) messaged me about two hours prior to the show while I was at work,” Alonzo said. “She needed me to do her hair and makeup; so, I left work immediately to help her out as I knew how important this show was to her.”

Sr. Suzanne Kush, C.S.S.F., director of he Franciscan Center for Social Concern, welcomed everyone and explained that Trashion Fashion is both innovative and a way to heighten social consciousness about the importance of recycling.

Members of the Chatterton Slam Poetry Society shared poetry pieces after every fourth model to provide ample time for wardrobe changes. Sean Conklin, assistant curator at the Quick Center for the Arts, and Devereux Hall residence director Rebecca Wager co-hosted the show.

“For me, personally,” Conklin said, “seeing the resulting ingenuity and creativity of months of hard work during the runway show reminded me why I continue to help organize this event and excites me for what will appear next year.”

Top Trashionista runner-up was won by the House of QCA, designed by Evelyn Penman and modeled by Chelsea McBee. Top Models went to Sustainable Love, designed by Spectrum and modeled by Elli Perez and David Bryant.

Top Model runner-up went to Gatsby’s American Dream, designed by Sean Conklin and modeled by Chernice Miller. The People’s Choice Award went to Pokémon Master, designed and modeled by Adelaide Hahn.

Participating designers constructed inspired works of Eco-Couture Art, which highlighted the diverse knowledge and passions of the Bonaventure campus community.

“The participating mix of students, staff and administration in the Runway Show highlighted the creative and collaborative nature of our university,” Conklin said.

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