glam.spoon: fashion blog

Discarded to Divine 2012

This event is fun, challenging, creative and supports the efforts of the San Francisco St. Vincent de Paul Society in helping the homeless. It doesn't get better than that.

I participated in 2010 and the timing was right that I even got to see my garment on a dress form in the de Young Museum at the preview. If you live in the San Francisco area, or plan on being there in April, save the date and mark your calendars. It's the seventh annual event!

Discarded to Divine

 Presented by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco

April 13th - de Young Museum Preview

April 26th - Gala

 

You can visit Discarded to Divine starting March 1st to purchase tickets, or contact Event Coordinator Heather Ripley for questions or to request an invitation be mailed to you.

Discarded to Divine preview event

By the time this post is published, Jennifer will have returned from the Runway Auction event in San Francisco, but nonetheless, here is my summary of the preview event on April 9th.

What incredible timing that the preview event for Discarded to Divine was planned for the evening before my Alabama Studio Style Workshop, and both in the San Francisco Bay area.  I didn't get a chance to attend last year, so this was a real treat.  Although the traffic from Berkeley to San Francisco was very slow, the sun was shining and the trip across the bridge was breathtaking.

The de Young museum has the most elaborate, gorgeous grounds I've ever seen. 

Apparently they have a Friday night tradition at the museum which includes music and cocktails, but with the preview event going on as well, the place was packed!  Once we pushed through the crowd, I snapped some shots of my garment.  My friend Jennifer's garment is the hot pink one below in the bottom left corner - but I'm sure you've seen it.  It was used in all the promo materials and the poster for the event!  My friend Amy's garment is the black velvet below in the upper left corner.  And you've seen my garment before, but it's the one in the bottom right corner below.

There were over 300 entries and I spent so much time photographing my own garment, I didn't even make it to the second room!  They also allowed refashioned jewelry and home items.  Here is a collage of my favorites.

 

I've been thinking lately that this event has been so inspiring for me for the past two years, I'm always disappointed that it takes place in out of town... why not Seattle?  I'm cooking up the plans to start a similar event here as a benefit for one of our local charities.  Stay tuned!

divine photography

I had a lovely photo shoot with Winnie on Sunday.  The rain let up and the sun came out just long enough to get this great shot on the Harbor Steps downtown.  I have to admit it was hard to part with this garment, but now I'm hoping it fetches a high price tag for Discarded to Divine.

Discarded to Divine 2010

This is my second year participating in Discarded to Divine (you can read about last year's entry here) and this year my garment will be entered in the day and evening dress category.  It's made from 100% recycled materials, mostly wool, cashmere and angora sweaters, with a silk flowing handkerchief ruffled hem and nylon & beaded trim at the neck.  Slightly unconventional material for an evening gown, but that's how I roll.  I knew what I wanted to do the minute I saw the bead work on the sweater, I just wasn't totally sure how to get there. 

My focal piece (pictured at right), received from the Help Desk at the San Francisco St. Vincent de Paul, was a pale pink angora sweater with pearl beading and sequins that covered the huge shoulder pads and the sleeve all the way to the cuff.  I cut it apart at the seams and tried it a couple of ways before settling on this design, determined to make something chic out of that gaudy bead work.

I actually really love the silhouette of the long drapey romantic dress.  Makes me think I'd enjoy creating an unconventional wedding dress from recycled materials.  2010 is the year of t.spoon couture!

Discarded to Divine 2009

I posted earlier this year that I contributed a recycled garment to the annual auction/benefit for St. Vincent de Paul called Discarded to Divine.  My dress was entered in the "daywear" category, but I didn't win.  This morning I was alerted to the flickr group of photos from the show.  All the entries are represented, but only the winners have the designer's name next to them.  I'm impressed with the creativity of the designs and I think I'll kick it up a notch next year.

Discarded to Divine

I finally received confirmation that my submission was accepted, so I will share some photos of the dress! Every year St. Vincent de Paul hosts an auction/fashion show called Discarded to Divine to raise money for the non-profit organization.  Each designer must use 50% material received from the local thrift store in creating their design, which can be in any number of couture and ready to wear categories.
 
A lovely woman named Sally coordinates this entire effort and when I expressed my interest she made it happen.  I asked her for "jewel toned satins or silks" which she said would be a tall order, but somehow managed to come through for me in spades.  She had a friend flying back to Seattle from SF and sent my requested items along.  Here is the dress, entered in the "Women's Day Wear" category and I called my piece "Sunday Brunch Best." 
 
(Please forgive me, I was in a hurry to meet the deadline and should have ironed it before taking a photo...)