Recycled chic: Makers Mill, Governor Wentworth Arts Council team up to promote upcycled fashion

WOLFEBORO — A garment made from CDs. A skirt fashioned from neckties. Old blazers transformed into vests. These are just a few of the creative outfits made from upcycled materials.

Following last year’s Upcycled Fashion Show held at the Wolfeboro Town Hall, the presenters of the event — the Governor Wentworth Arts Council and Makers Mill — have scheduled this year’s show for Saturday, April 22, at the Kingswood Arts Center at Kingswood High School.

According to Liz Helfer, GWAC president, the event will showcase how items can be reused to make new clothing and accessories. The upcycled show was the idea of GWAC member Jeannette D’Onofrio.

“A few years ago, Jeannette brought the idea of an upcycled fashion show to the board,” Helfer said. “We liked the upcycled show idea, and I was doing some things with the Makers Mill in Wolfeboro at the time. I thought the upcycled fashion show would be right up their alley, and they were enthusiastic. We formed a committee of GWAC and the Makers Mill and moved forward to hold the first upcycled show.”

“As co-presenters of the Upcycled Fashion Show, the Makers Mill helps with marketing and outreach. Added to this, if someone is designing something for the fashion show, they can come to Makers Mill for classes to help with their upcycled project,” said Carol Holyoake, program director of Makers Mill.

Located on Bay Street in Wolfeboro, Makers Mill opened its doors in October 2022, after a great deal of planning. The 10,000-square-foot, former Wolfeboro Power Equipment building was identified as the perfect location for the Makers Mill classes and offices. There is sewing, quilting, jewelry making, career coaching, welding, fine arts and many more workshops offered throughout the year. Classes are open to members and non-members and there is also rental studio space for individual artists.

Makers Mill has offered fabric and sewing classes recently to help those entering the upcycled show. Perhaps a person needed help with sewing for the first time, or to know how to put together a garment with materials they have never sewn before. Makers Mill classes have helped with all kinds of sewing projects.

Students, as well as adults, are encouraged to enter garments in the upcoming fashion show. “We had 11 students from Brewster Academy at Makers Mill during their winter break. They were working on designs for their fashions,” said Holyoake.

The upcycled show is a way to create awareness of the world around us.

“Reusing things rather than throwing them away is a relevant topic. The show teaches how to reuse materials because fashion has a big impact on the environment. We want to offer a creative way to look at materials and give them more value and show you can reuse and transform things, making them better than before,” Helfer said.

While some of the items in last year’s fashion show were outlandish or playful, such as the garment adorned with upcycled CDs, some clothing was created to be worn in the real world.

“A member of the Wolfeboro Garden Club entered a series of aprons using upcycled, amazing fabrics adorned with miscellaneous buttons. The aprons were fun and lovely to see. She got fellow Garden Club members to model them at the show,” said Helfer. 

Entrants are currently creating upcycled garment submissions for the show. There is still plenty of time to enter a garment and be part of the runway show.

This is not a competitive event, but rather a way to showcase how clothing can be transformed into something new. Those who are entering an upcycled piece for the show must registration and submit images of their garment. The submission rules are not strict because it is a relaxed event welcoming amateur creators along with those who have more experience. Entrants can choose to model their garment during the runway show or enlist someone else.

“We want people of all ages to enter; last year we had people from age 10 to 80. Some were expert sewers, and some were beginners. The common thing that all possessed was an interest in exploring different mediums to reuse. We encourage people to use a variety of upcycled materials for their garment,’ said Helfer.

By pooling resources, GWAC and Makers Mill obtained a grant to pay for the event, and Makers Mill has provided space and expertise to help with the creative process. GWAC is also providing administrative support.

Attendees at the fashion show will see a range of upcycled clothes, from dresses and pant suits to aprons and accessories such as headwear and bags. Just about anything that is wearable can be upcycled for the show.

While few men entered last year’s show, Helfer says she is hopeful there will be more males entering garments as the fashion show grows. Indeed, everyone is welcome to display their interpretation of upcycling a garment.

GWAC, started in 1968 to aid arts programming in area schools, will present an event called Ye Old Arte Swappe in June. It will be a chance for artists and others to swap or find materials such as paint brushes, paper, drawing pencils, paints, and other art supplies. Anyone can attend and bring art supplies to trade. The event will take place at Makers Mill, date to be announced.

Makers Mill is off to a great start with events and workshops focused on a variety of creative endeavors.

“Right now we are savoring being open after years of renovation. It has taken thousands of volunteer hours. We will continue adding classes, and we need instructors for the classes. We are always looking for people who love what they do,” said Holyoake.

For information on the April 22 Upcycled Fashion Show at Kingswood Arts Center, visit makersmill.org or governorwentworthartscouncil.org.