Pelagic Pollu-shion

Did you know that up to 200 million tons of waste are dumped in the ocean each year? It should come as no surprise that 88% of the ocean is polluted in consequence. So what if the waste that hinders the organisms in the open sea, instead benefits them? Introducing Pelagic Pollu-shion! Fashion that metamorphoses garbage into glamour.

The latest scoop on the seabed carpet: A mermaid with a glittery silver-blue tail emerging out of luscious ocean waves that wrap around her shoulders, a source of tepidity in these wintery days like a warm current. She is embellished by the finest of shells and pearls; all adorning her clutch, neck, and wait - is that a scavenged rice bag?

The Process:
The “Ocean Wave” is made out of an old white headscarf that is structured via the wires inside surplus coat hangers.
The accent piece on the skirt is fashioned out of a rice bag, a broken bow hair clip, and individually hand-drilled shells that
I found on the beach. The Skirt consists of a shimmery fabric simulating fish scales, a zipper recycled from an old hoodie, and a lining consisting of biodegradable silk. For the wearer’s modesty, a démodé T-shirt was up-cycled into a nude top decorated with shells, giving off a low-cut illusion. Layered over it, the top is contrived out of an Amazon gift bag I up-cycled into a 1950’s-esque ballgown top by sewing vertical darts on it. Finally, a place mat for plates is recycled into the mermaid’s clutch.