From trash to fashion: Wuhan students give waste a new life

Black garbage bags became elegant evening gowns and discarded newspapers were transformed into traditional Chinese dresses as students showcased their creativity at an eco-friendly fashion competition on Oct 17 in Wuhan, Hubei province.

The 11th Eco-friendly Fashion Design Competition at South-Central Minzu University brought together 31 student teams, each presenting an outfit made entirely from discarded materials.

With no conventional fabrics provided, students turned takeaway packaging, bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, plastic bottle caps, and even dried leaves into eye-catching fashion pieces.

One team created a Victorian-inspired fishtail gown from layers of black garbage bags, decorating its neckline with lace salvaged from an old curtain and using cardboard boxes for structural support.