By Lee Ann Leonard
To further Pier Park’s conservation mission and support the arts, the mall is hosting the Recycle the Runway contest and fashion show this fall. The center encourages artists and designers to start collecting materials to create an upcycled outfit now as the organizers will award more than $2,000 in prizes at the September 28 event. Best of all, Pier Park will showcase the winning creations in popular mall attractions for millions to see.
Fashion pieces must be family-friendly (not too revealing or offensive), wearable, and should be no larger than 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. While judges will give more weight to fashions made from 100% non-traditional items, designers may use some existing clothing pieces provided they are used items obtained from a thrift store or a comparable business. Additionally, the jury-selected contestants must model or supply a model to present their creations during the runway show. To prepare for the fashion show, the designers and models must attend a dress rehearsal on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the venue, Dave & Buster’s. They should arrive an hour before the main event on Saturday, September 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
During the fashion show, a celebrity panel of judges will evaluate the finalist’s work. Organizers will announce the three winners at the event’s conclusion. Winners will also receive their prizes following the show.
Pier Park will award the first-place winner a $1,000 American Express® Simon Giftcard® and a $100 mall swag bag. Dave & Buster’s will also display the winning entry in the arcade, bar and restaurant’s lobby for one year. The complex will honor the second-place winner with a $500 American Express® Simon Giftcard® and a $100 mall swag bag. The Grand IMAX will showcase the second-place garment in the theater lobby for one year. Finally, the center will give the third-place winner a $250 American Express® Simon Giftcard® and one $100 Pier Park swag bag. SkyWheel Panama City Beach will display the third-place ensemble in the attraction’s lobby for one year.
For contest rules and regulations and the entry form, visit the Pier Park website’s events page (https://bit.ly/3UtQ17o).
The entry deadline is Friday, September 6 at midnight (CST).
