Discarded materials found a new lease on life as secondary school students from across Guyana transformed everything from everyday waste to recycled materials into eye-catching fashion statements at the ‘Trash to Fashion Show’.

Held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre as part of the recent Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expo & Fair 2026, the showcase was staged under the fitting theme, “Recycle. Reinvent. Runway.”

Students were challenged to look beyond the traditional definition of waste and imagine what could happen when technical skills meet bold ideas.

The result was a colourful parade of designs that blended imagination, craftsmanship and personality, with young designers using discarded and reused materials to create outfits that were as much about storytelling as they were about style.

The competition featured four categories: Casual Wear (Recycled Chic), Professional/Career Wear, Creative/Avant-Garde, and Cultural/Themed Wear.

In the Casual/Recycled Chic category, Friendship Secondary School’s Melina Moe claimed first place with “Rise of the Golden Arrowhead” while New Central High School’s Quecia Joshph took second with “Pages in Motion.”

The Professional/Career Wear title went to Shaddai Scipio of North Georgetown Secondary School for “Clock It.”

The Creative/Avant-Garde category provided some of the show’s most imaginative moments, with Destiny Hytmiah of Christ Church Secondary School capturing first place with “Reclaim Royalty”.  Onella Lepps of Buxton Secondary School placed second with “The Delicious Fit.”

North Georgetown Secondary School continued its strong showing in the Cultural/Themed Wear category. Tyfeia Torrington won first place with “Ofishka,” while Atarah Hart earned second place for “Lokono (Beauty).”

Guest participant Atiena Chester also joined the showcase, presenting “Eco Alliance” in the Cultural category.

Beyond the main prizes, individual creativity and craftsmanship were also recognised. Moe walked away with Best Overall Design, Most Wearable Design and Best Stage Presence, while Hytmiah earned awards for Most Creative Outfit, Best Use of Recycled Materials and Best Transformation.

But beneath the colour, flair and applause was a bigger lesson.

The showcase demonstrated how TVET can move learning beyond the classroom and into practical experiences where students are encouraged to create, experiment, solve problems and think commercially.

By turning discarded materials into runway-worthy designs, the young participants showed that what one person throws away can become another person’s opportunity to innovate, create and potentially build a livelihood.

Photo credit: Ministry of Education