One Bag Led to Another...

I just wanted to see if I could do it—make a cool dress out of recycled material, like the one I modeled back in 2016. That was it. That was the goal.

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But after making my first dress (using 99 Cent Store bags), and seeing how cool it turned out—and how easily it came together—I couldn’t stop. I made three in 2024 and featured them in a local fashion show. They were a huge hit. So I made three more in 2025, and once again, the response was overwhelming. Before I knew it, I had become a “trashion” designer.

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My entire perspective on waste shifted. Before throwing anything away, I started asking myself, what could this become? And it turns out—quite a lot. I began creating accessories to pair with the dresses—wristlets, bags, and chokers—all made from things that would have otherwise been tossed: to-go containers, disinfectant wipe canisters, Amazon packaging, bubble wrap, and more.

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But just as I was finding my groove, plastic bags were banned—and my primary material disappeared. Instead of seeing it as a setback, I chose to focus on upcycling and creating a new and exciting accessories line - from bags, to chokers, to obis, and to continue on my eco-friendly fashion journey in a new way.

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This next chapter is still being written—but that’s part of the excitement.

Marie Neri

Trashion Designer

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