Every year the fashion design teacher, Mrs. Ellis, assigns a special project to her students in Advanced Fashion Design that allows them to think out of the box and show off their inner creative self. It is called the Recycle and Redesign Project. It consists of taking recycled material and converting it into garment that is wearable. Very little fabric is used during this project. If fabric is used, it is from old pieces of clothing such as a t-shirt or jeans. The most common creation is a dress, but no dress ever looks the same. Each student adds their special touch as the move on in their process.

The reason why this project is offered early in the year is so Ellis can identify each student’s weakness and strengths in this field.

“Every student has their strengths and weakness,” Ellis said. “Each kid has their own creative side. It is good to actually be able to see kids grow as a student and in their skills.”

Ellis helps her students along the process by advising them in what could help their project move along. This allowed her students to become more open minded and think of new ways to create garments.

“You can make a beautiful garment from anything,” senior Dallana Vargas said.

Many kids are still not sure about what they want to be when they are out of high school. This was a little push to many that realized this is what they truly enjoy.

“This project made me realize how much I actually enjoy fashion design and actually want to do this in the future,” senior Samantha Rojas said. “I want to be involved in the fashion industry. A fashion director actually, and work for big firms,” Maria Osegueda added.

Others found joy in this project and learned from their mistakes.

“Plan out before you actually make the garment, this time I just winged it,” junior Miranda Gomez said.

Ellis hopes her students actually put everything she has taught them in action once they leave high school. Just like the majority of her students apply them throughout the year.

“I like seeing them make mistakes, but because they learn from them and grow,” Ellis said.