Recently, I had the immense pleasure of participating in something that I had never done before: a charity fashion show. Although it was not my first fashion show (that honor belongs to the P.E.O. Founders’ Day celebration of 2022), I was both excited and nervous to walk the runway under the bright lights of the historic Ritz Theatre stage.

Benefiting Your Polk County HUB, a cancer and chemo support non-profit, the aim of Recycle the Runway was to design an outfit made primarily out of recycled materials. I was up for the challenge and for good reason; I had previously made a newspaper dress in 2013 when I went as “Old News” for Halloween.

The inspiration behind my recycled look came readily. As a retail associate at Publix Super Markets, I regularly delight in my customers saving through the “BOGOs” (Buy One, Get One) and the featured sale items in the weekly ad circulars. Comically, I often celebrate my savviest shoppers by pronouncing them as BOGO “queens” and “kings”, sending them off with a flaunted fold of receipt paper.

Unlike my “Old News” dress, I chose to use a structured base for the garment, which included a hoopskirt and a fabric bodice, supported with Rigilene boning and closed with a zipper.

As I was forming the skirt, I didn’t know how it would be designed, so I experimented by making long strips out of the ads, which were taped together. Pleasantly surprised, I was encouraged by the overall shape of the ads when laid out on the floor in a fan of food and products. A circle skirt was being created right before my eyes.

Pleated along the waistline of the mannequin, the skirt was attached to a corresponding paper waistband with staples and tape. That was easy !

Onto the bodice… When I made “Old News” in 2013, I pleated sheets of newspaper in order for the top to expand when I wore it. This worked well. Applying the same principle, I molded the folded pages around the base bodice and pinned them into place.

Then, I trimmed and stapled the upper edge to the fabric bodice.

And, voilà ! I was amazed at how quickly the outfit was coming together.

But it still needed more… Although I briefly experimented with making sleeves, I didn’t like the appearance of them and realized that they would be unpractical for modeling on the runway. I needed to cover my shoulders to give the outfit a more regal impression and decided on some wide straps─ made out of paper, of course. It was a challenge to position the straps in just the right place since I was creating this project alone, but I managed with some contortionist maneuvering in the bathroom.

The grocery manager at my store supplied me with a large sheet of unbent cardboard from our water pallet deliveries so that I could make a grand Elizabethan ruff. More ads, crimped into a circular accordion pleat, adorned the outer face. Lastly (and on a whim !), I fashioned a cape that attached to the shoulder straps with Velcro. I couldn’t believe that I was finished !

But what’s a queen without a crown ?! I added some themed cardboard letters to a glitzy Amazon tiara, all in Publix green.

The event was a raving success with fun, designer themed hors d’oeurves and desserts.

Crowded backstage, all thirteen of the models strutted their stuff on the runway, one by one, including me. Each designer’s creation was spectacular. What stunned me the most about my recycled paper dress was how fluidly it moved on stage. After all, it was my first time wearing the outfit in an open space where I could walk and turn freely !

I think it’s safe to say that I had too much fun on the runway…

Thank you to my friend, Kim, for capturing the walk on video.

Although I didn’t win any prizes, I was grateful to even be included in such a talented group of artists. Everyone exceeded expectations, all for a worthy cause.

To all my BOGO Queens and Kings at the store, this outfit was dedicated to YOU ! Without your support, I wouldn’t have had the inspiration to create my design. Serving you is my greatest pleasure.

Toi, Toi, Toi,

Mary Martha