Wearing a mask took on a whole new meaning at Runway RePurposed, a fashion show by the Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania.
Designers are challenged to take everyday items and reformulate them into wearable fashion. North Allegheny seniors Abby Rabe and Madison Krause took home the Best Student Design award for their stylish outfits made entirely of black face masks.
Rapp and Krause are part of a high school family consumer science class taught by instructor and head of FCS, Elizabeth Gallagher. All the students had to brainstorm about the things that could be discarded daily. Raab and Krause came up with an idea that reflected a very timely and disposable element.
“Masks are very relevant in culture today. I thought it would be a great idea,” said Raab, 18.
If the black masks were made into a gown, 17-year-old Krause said, it could “look very elegant.”
The students initially sketched out design ideas, and once they had their look, they tried to sew the masks together, and that was difficult. They both said they weren’t super skilled sewers at first, but they learned as they progressed.
“Honestly, we were hoping for the best as we went,” Krause said.
Their final product was a pencil skirt with a peplum-inspired blouse, designed by Julia Berger for NASH junior.
All of the students in the Family Consumer Science class had to submit designs that would be voted on by high school staff, Gallagher said. Rap and Crouse received the most votes, followed by youngsters Trinity Fitzgerald and Julia Berger and senior Jamie Simone for designing a Christmas party-inspired dress made of tablecloth and related items.
Seniors Jeida Copeland and Brooke Demers-Pollard also took second place at NASH for their designs made from Target bags. Since Rapp and Krause received the most votes, their outfits went to the Runway RePurposed Show held at the Sheraton Station Square.
The fundraising organization awarded Best Student Design, and local shops and designers could compete for the best design.
According to The Salvation Army, clothing on the Celebration Runway was judged on its use of reused materials, creativity, and overall appeal.
Rap and Cross, who attended the event in October, were delighted to win first prize. Raab said the project helped her look at things more sustainably, where clothes come from and how to repurpose them.
And Krause knew they could “take something we throw away and turn it into something really beautiful.”
Formerly known as Garbage Bag Gala, Runway RePurposed raises funds and awareness for the Salvation Army’s East Liberty Family Welfare Center, which helps struggling families. The theme of the event was, “Everyone and everything deserves a second chance.”
The center provides shelter and meals for families experiencing homelessness, and is one of the few shelters that allow entire families to stay, according to the Salvation Army website. Each year, more than 150 families use the shelter, which provides not only basic necessities, but ways to help them succeed outside the center.
The event grossed more than $86,000, and grossed more than $73,844, according to Stephanie Rex, director of marketing and public relations for the Salvation Army Division of Western Pennsylvania.
“Our Salvation Army Family Stores have long practiced reusing unwanted items to fund residential rehab services for individuals seeking to break the cycle of addiction. Now, our Runway RePurposed event shines a light on fashion with reimagined creations from recycled and customized materials. For other purposes; All while spreading awareness and raising money to support local families who find a new purpose in their lives at the Family Care Center, Major Gregory Hartshorne, Salvation Army Divisional Commanding Western Pennsylvania, said.
North Allegheny offers family and consumer sciences for grades six through twelve, including courses on food and nutrition, personal finance, child development, career readiness skills, interior design, fashion design and marketing, according to Gallagher.
Classes give students skills in the workplace, community, and their homes, according to Gallagher, who recently received an Emerging Professional Award from the 2021 Norton School Alumni and Friends Awards program.
The FCS division is also committed to sustainability and community service. “We prepare students for an ever-changing world by teaching the modern tools to manage that which will always be there—the home,” Gallagher said.
Natalie Beneviat is a contributing writer for Triptotal Media.