The mission of the Schools Trash to Fashion® Awards is to educate students about the impacts of waste, and how using creative innovations we can lessen these.

We do this by incorporating an education programme and a garment design competition that culminates with two theatrical fashion shows and an awards ceremony.

Basically, it’s a really fun opportunity for students to transform trash into fashion!

ST2F is funded in partnership by the Auckland Council and Keep Waitakere Beautiful Trust. A significant amount of funding also comes from the Trusts Charitable Foundation and other smaller contributors.

Our workshops, events and the theatrical show are organised each year by a zealous group of crew and volunteers who share a passion for the arts, the environment and our younger generation.

Trash to Fashion® ran in Waitakere for over a decade and transformed from a small, community-based celebration to a major professional event.

The original T2F featuring predominately adult designers’ was put on hold in 2006. However, the enthusiasm from the students and acknowledgement from teachers of how the programme touched the art and technology curriculums could not be ignored. In 2007 ST2F officially launched as a standalone project.

At its humble beginnings all students were given the opportunity to be part of the theatrical show. As each year more schools and individuals entered the project, the number of finalists eventually reached its maximum. In 2010, the Semi-Final events at Primary, Intermediate and Secondary levels were introduced. With now more than 400 garments entered, the semi-finals give all entrants the opportunity to wear their creations in front of the judges and an audience regardless of whether they make it to the Finals.