Student Turns Glen Cove Trash into Wearable Fashion

A 21-year-old senior at C.W Post has been turning Glen Cove garbage into artistic gold.

Joanna Del Giudice, who literally turns trash into wearable pieces of art, showed off her collection at her senior show on Monday, in an event entitled "ReImagine: An Eco-Fashion Art Show," at Tilles Center Attrium at C.W Post.

At first glance, one would never know that her designs— which include pencil skirts, corset tops, boleros and dresses, as well as hats and other accessories—are a collection of discarded plastic grocery bags, cassettes and VHS tapes, many coming from directly from Glen Cove.

"I am giving new life to plastic bags, cassette tapes, and VHS tapes," Del Giudice said. "I am giving them a purpose other than to take up space in landfills. It is encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle to take care of the environment. I am adding on a fourth component, to 'ReImagine' by transforming waste into aesthetically functioning pieces of art."

The process by which Del Guidice transforms plastic bags and other plastic based trash into art is complex. She cuts the bags or tape into smaller strips, called "plarn," which is essentially plastic yarn, and then uses this to crochet her pieces, rather than using common wool and acrylic blended yarn.

The results are unique textural pieces that look more high fashion materials than something you'd carry your groceries home in.

Del Giudice collected her materials from friends, family and fellow students at C.W. Post. While she is not a Glen Cove native herself, many of her grocery bags came from Glen Cove's grocery and drug stores.

Del Guidice's interest in fashion design was first sparked when her Grandmother taught her to crochet as child. As she evolved as an eco-conscious artist, she combined her passions and went to work on her collection. She spent ten months in total on these pieces.